halloween pumkin cauldron {tutorial}

I know I can't be the only one still looking for fun Halloween ideas, am I right? One of my favorite Halloween resources for years has been Martha Stewart's Halloween issue. I am amazed that her staff is still coming up with such gorgeous and creative ideas. I am especially loving this pumpkin cauldron from the 2013 Halloween issue, and Martha is letting us share the fun tutorial with you!

 Photo by Lucas Allen. Courtesy of Martha Stewart Halloween Special Issue. Copyright ©2013.

Pumpkin Cauldron Tutorial

Tools & Materials

• large pumpkin
• keyhole saw or serrated knife
• fleshing tool
• drill
• sisal rope
• 3 eyebolts, with washers and nuts
• 3 long, straight branches
• 20-gauge wire
• S hook
• outdoor stake light (with yellow or orange bulb)
• twigs
• sturdy glass bowl
• dry ice and protective gloves

1. Cut top off pumpkin, using saw. Hollow out pumpkin with fleshing tool. Drill 3 equidistant holes about 2 inches below opening. Cut 3 lengths of rope to hang pumpkin. Tie 1 end of each rope to an eyebolt. Push eyebolts through holes in pumpkin; secure with washers and nuts. Prop branches in a tepee shape, and secure at top with wire; thread wire inside top to hang S hook. Hide visible wire with rope. Knot pumpkin’s rope ends together, and hang from S hook.

2. For “fire”: Insert stake light into the ground, and cover it with twigs. For “mist”: Put glass bowl with dry ice inside pumpkin; add some water. (Wear gloves when handling dry ice.)

Sources:

Keyhole saw,from $5.50; natural sisal rope (65495), 3/8 inches by 50 feet, $9; eyebolt with nut, 1/4 by 4 inches, $0.50; cut washer, 1/4 inches, $2.50 for 25, homedepot.com. fleshing tool, $4.50, ceramicsupplyinc.com. Panacea 20-gauge paddle wire in Green, $3.50, createforless.com. Thomas and Betts stake light, $8, amazon.com. dry ice, dryicedirectory.com for locations.

This is just one idea from the Halloween issue from Martha Stewart--check it out for more ghoulish inspiration!