Halloween Decoration
A Halloween decoration is one of the simplest types of holiday decorations to create. If you are new to the idea of making your own decorations, starting with a Halloween decoration is a great idea. Since most Halloween decoration ideas are based on imaginary characters such as vampires, monsters, and ghosts there is no “right way’ for them to look. Halloween decorations can be as simple or creative as you choose to make them.
Clay or Plaster Halloween Decoration Bugs
Bugs make great Halloween decorations. They are fun and easy to make. There are many creative ways to make bugs, and kids to help create bug Halloween decorations. One way to make bugs is with some type of molding medium, such as polymer clay, air-drying clay, or plaster-of-paris. You probably have the perfect mold in your kitchen -- a plastic spoon. Simply fill the bowl shaped part of the spoon with the clay or plaster-of-paris. Add short pieces of wire, bread ties, pipe cleaners, or thread to the wet molding medium to make legs.
Allow the clay or plaster-of-paris to dry, based on the instructions for the particular product you used. Then, simply remove your bug forms from the spoon and turn so the arch side is up. Now it’s time to paint your Halloween decoration bug. Natural color choices to imitate normal bugs, or bright colors such or green or orange to give a creepy alien feeling, are all acceptable for Halloween decorations. Add large or small eyes, dots, stripes, and maybe even a mouth or stinger. Either use acrylic paints or markers will work very well to put the finishing touches on your homemade creepy crawlies.
Pinecone Halloween Decoration Bugs
Another way to make Halloween decoration bugs is to create pinecone bugs. Gather as many pinecones as bugs you want. If possible, try to find ones that are open so they are easier to decorate. Then use a black spray paint to cover them. Often it takes several light coats from different angles to get a good coverage.
To make legs for your pinecone bug, simply wrap a pipe cleaner around the pinecone leaving about three inches on both ends and cut off the extra. Using this for a basic guide, cut several more for each bug. Use your imagination when deciding how many legs each bug should have. For each leg, simply wrap the pipe cleaner tightly around the pinecone hiding it between the ridges.
Using the natural ridges of the pinecone, draw facial features on your pinecone bug. This is another area where you can let your imagination run wild. The expressions can be funny, scary, or even sleepy. When all done, use a pair of scissors to cut the legs to a uniform length.
Halloween Decoration Cutouts
Other simple Halloween decorations can be made from making cutouts of a simple shape in a Halloween theme. An outline of a ghost, a bat, a Halloween catch, or a flying witch works well. These are easy to draw or can be found on most clipart websites. You can use many different types of materials to create your cutout shapes, including construction paper, plastic garbage bags, foam plates, and even cardboard cereal boxes.
Once you have mastered making Halloween decoration bugs and different types of Halloween decoration cutouts, you will be more confident in your Halloween crafts skills. By starting with these simple ideas, you’ll be able to create a collection of hand crafted Halloween decorations in no time at all.
