Bohemian Romance Jewelry

Carve Your Own Steampunkins! (Re-blogged)

D-I-Y-Samantha Extance1 Comment

As promised, here are a few ideas & DIYs (3 different DIYS) on how to Steampunk your Pumpkin  this Halloween! Happy Carving! 1) Kid Friendly Steampunkins, or the "Mr. Potato Head" Approach

What You'll Need:

  • Pumpkin Carving Tools (You can purchase a kit or gather up the following: A large knife, paring knife, toothpicks, a corn-on-the-cob utensil (optional but it makes poking holes so much easier), small & large metal spoons, newspaper or trash bags to protect your table from all the pumpkin guts, and a bucket or big pot lined with a trash bag for pumpkin guts & seeds)
  • 2 gears, or as many as you prefer your pumpkin can have many cog & gear eyeballs (salvaged is preferable but if you cannot find any you can purchase reproduction gears from Michaels. Just look for the "Industrial Chic" or "Found Objects" items).
  • 3 springs (use 5-6 springs if you have a large pumpkin)
  • Accessories, goggles, a top hat, a monocle, pocketwatch, eyepatch--get creative! Create your very own Steampunk Pumpkin Character!

Steps:

  1. (For adults only) Carve a lid, scoop out the pumpkin guts, and poke starter holes where the gear eyes & spring mouth will be inserted. The holes for the spring-mouth should be relatively small because your springs will be held in place by 2 toothpicks (as shown below). The toothpicks should stick out approximately 1/2-1 inch.
  2. (For kids) Stick the eyeball gears into their pumpkin sockets and give that steampunkin the ghoulish grin it's been waiting for! Link the springs and place them on the toothpicks.
  3. (For kids) Last but not least, dress up your pumpkin with a pair of googles & a hat, an eyepatch, or a monocle on chain! Whatever your heart desires!

2) Painting on the Punk! Another kid friendly approach to pumpkin decorating!

What You'll Need:

  • Various Acrylic Paints (any colors you choose. I like black, white, red, & metallics)
  • Paintbrushes (or various sizes, at least 1 small paintbrush for details & 1 large brush)
  • Water & Jar & Paper plate (or cardboard) for mixing your paints

Steps:

  1. Paint some Steampunk scenes, objects, or faces onto your pumpkins!
  2. (Option 2 for tiny tinker-tykes ) Cut out some gear shapes or pocketwatch shapes from some sponges & give them to your tyke to dip in paint and place on their pumpkin! Download a template for gears below!

3) Classic Carving & Pumpkin Poking

What You'll Need:

  • Pumpkin Carving Tools (You can purchase a kit or gather up the following: A large knife, paring knife, toothpicks, a corn-on-the-cob utensil (optional but it makes poking holes so much easier), small & large metal spoons, newspaper or trash bags to protect your table from all the pumpkin guts, and a bucket or big pot lined with a trash bag for pumpkin guts & seeds)
  • Template or Design, to trace or draw freehand on your pumpkin (you can download Steampunk ones here)
  • Tea candle (I prefer electric, but that's up to you!)

Steps (for tracing your design):

  1. Carve a lid & scoop out the pumpkin guts.
  2. Next, place your design over your pumpkin and trace using your special pumpkin poking tool (in your kit). I used a corn-on-the-cob utensil instead. It worked really well and had the added benefit of creating 2 holes instead of just one per punch so I was finished poking holes a lot sooner.
  3. Once you're done tracing your design, place your tea candle inside and affix your lid! Enjoy your steampunkin's ghoulish glow!

Steps (for carving your design):

  1. Carve a lid & scoop out the pumpkin guts.
  2. Next, free hand sketch the design or template of your choice onto your pumpkin. I recommend using a pencil as pen can smudge and show on the skin.
  3. Carve out your design!
  4. Once you're done carving, place your tea candle inside and affix your lid. Enjoy your steampunkin's eerie luminescence!

Templates: (Free to download, my gift to you! Happy Halloween!) 

Don't forget to post pictures of your steampunkins! I'd love to see 'em! Happy Carving!