The Evolution of the Halloween Pumpkin
"Anything," he'd say, "as long as it's a triangle or a square."
He wields a large butcher knife and cruedly slices along the guidelines I had drawn with a magic marker: shapes representing eyes, a nose, jagged teeth and fangs...
For the following 35 years or so, I have continued to enjoy carving jacks, but the pumpkins my dad turned out look pale in comparison to some of the figures and scenes put on Pumpkins today. I have enjoyed watching this fun hobbie evolve into an artform.
Tie on an apron and join me.
Countdown to Halloween
2010- Halloween at my Apartment
Check out My Decorating-in-Progress
This year the theme is "Gypsy Witch's Wagon Camped in a Cemetery."My screen porch will be my gypsy's wagon, and we are doing it up grand-- and on a super-budget! I will be updating this Squidoo lens with reports and photos showing my continuous progress toward this goal.
Lots of ideas, lots of home-made crafts with scrounged-up materials, and-- of course!-- there WILL be jacks!
View my Jacks
Carving Reference Desk-- Check 'em Out!
Legends, Lore & History
How did carving pumpkins get so popular?
Many, many years ago- I think it was a Thursday- a clever old drunkard named Jack was stumbling through the Irish countryside, when the devil appeared to take his soul.
Jack, a clever old guy with a smooth tongue, convinced the devil to allow him one more drink. When they went to buy one, Jack told the devil he had no money, and suggested the devil turn himself into a coin to pay for the drink. The devil, growing impatient, did just this. Jack quickly snatched up the coin and put it in his wallet, that had a silver cross clasp.
The devil was trapped, and howled, enraged. Jack finally agreed to let the devil out, but under one condition- that he never take Jack's soul. The devil finally agreed and was freed.
When Jack finally died, St. Peter would not let him into Heaven because of his drinking and decietful ways. So he went down to hell, but the devil reminded him that he could never take his soul.
Jack didn't know where to go. He made a few rude remarks at the devil, who threw a coal from hell at him. Jack put the lighted coal into a half-eaten turnip and to this day wanders the countryside, the coal lighting his way, as he looks for a place to rest...
Jack-O-Lantern Apparel
The first verified evidence of carving and lighting pumpkins for Halloween come from the mid 19th century in America. It seemed it was a fun harvest past time for colonial children, which found it's final place in the secular celebrations as they became popular towards the end of the 19th century.Jack-o-lantern carving went from a crudely done craft to an art form thanks largely to Paul Bardeen, who created new carving tools and techniques that he shared with his children for elaborate designs. Since the late 1980's, when the grown children put pumpkin carving kits out on the market. This was the beginning of Pumpkin Masters, and the hobby has become more popular and the art of the jack-o-lantern, while still fun, has become much more sophisticated. At the same time, it has become easier for even the most un-artistic person to create an elaborate jack-o-lantern with just a few tools and a template.
This also led to the popularity of produce carving at other times of year, such as squash for Thanksgiving, and watermelons for the 4th of July.
The synthetic carvable pumpkin that has come on the market in the last few years allows enthusiasts to carve all year round (even when real pumpkins are not in season), and enables us to preserve some of the more intricate works. Who knows what turn this art form will take next?
Carving Tools
Pumpkin Carving Tips
Everything You Need to Know About Jack-O-Lanterns
PREPPING YOUR PUMPKIN
Instead of the traditional method of cutting the top off the pumpkin, cut a hole into the bottom. Sometimes that little top cap can warp from heat or as your pumpkin ages, even fall in. Also, if the hole is on the bottom, you can put your pumpkin right over your light source, which will be flat on the surface beneath.
TRANSFERRING PATTERNS
When taping the pattern to the pumpkin, crease the paper into the pumpkin's natural creases. Use a thumb tack and make the pinholes very close to each other. Then, rub your pumpkin with flour to fill in the pin holes. This will make all the dots white and easy to see.
"SCRAPING" vs. "CUTTING THROUGH"
The more common technique is cutting straight through the pumpkin flesh and removing a part entirely. Another great method, however, is to scrape only the top layer of the pumpkin skin off, leaving the yellow flesh beneath. This is easily done with a craft knife. Use it at an angle to carve only partially into the flesh and remove the orange skin. For complicated carvings, or for a combination look, you can use both methods. Scrape at different depths to create a textured look.
The cutting-through method that everyone is familiar with provides a bright, clear glow. All internal elements of the design have to have an attachment, sort of a life-line, to the outter skin or they just fall off. This can make creating your own templates and carving very intricate details a challenge. But for most jack-o-lantern designs, the cut-through method works well.
Scraping method gives a clean, 2-D look with a soft glow. It allows for intricate designs, without center sections staying "attached" to edges to avoid them falling off. Like the mouth here. You couldn't do that with the cut-through section and just have a mouth floating out there. It would have to be attached to the rest of the pumpkin.
Using a combination of cut-through and scraping provides the greatest versatility, and, because you can produce various levels of shading and highlighting, it produces outstanding pumpkins that have more of a 3-D look.
KEEPING IT FRESH
Rub or brush petroleum jelly over all cut surfaces of your jack-o-lantern, including the entire inside, in order to help your pumpkin preserve moisture and keep it fresh. If your pumpkin begins to dry out or shrivel, soak it in a cold water bath for a few hours. Keep your jacks out of the sunlight in the daytime. Candles are great, but the heat cooks them-- try battery-powered or electric lights instead.
OOPS! I DIDN'T MEAN FOR THAT PART TO COME OFF!!!
Re-attach parts with toothpicks or straight pins from the inside.
SMELLS SO GOOD
If you're using a candle in your jack indoors, sprinkle some cinnamon and nutmeg inside above where the flame will be. Your house will smell like you're baking a pumpkin pie.
Portrait Carving Instructions: Basic
How to Carve a Portrait on a Pumpkin (Basic):
Whether you want a collection of pumpkins featuring your family's faces out on your front lawn for Halloween, to commemorate a deceased loved one in this season of honoring ancestors, or a unique centerpiece to display for your Halloween wedding, jack-o-lantern portraits can be an outstanding addition to your fall decor. Best of all, you don't need to be a great artist to create these beauties- just the right tools, patience, and a steady hand. With a little practice, you can elevate your jack-o-lantern carving skills to mastery and astound your friends and neighbors with your creations. Click Here to Read Instructions!
Portrait Carving Instructions: Advanced
How to Carve a Face on a Pumpkin (Advanced):
The art of pumpkin carving has advanced in the past decade, and with computers and photo editing software, anyone can create a unique template for a spectacular jack-o-lantern. You don't need to be able to draw in order to carve a face on a pumpkin. All you need is some technology, and to follow these easy steps. Click Here to Read Instructions!
Free Pumpkin Pattern Resources!
- Pagan Samhain Pumpkin Patterns
My own original sketches, yours to enjoy this Samhain season. There just aren't enough spiritual pumpkin designs for us out there! More will be added each year as I create new ones.
.- The Pumpkin Wizard
- Great website, full of free patterns, and lots more beautiful ones to choose from with a paid subscription. A must for the Jack enthusiast.
- DLTK's Halloween Patterns
- Free Patterns that kids will love-- lots of loveable characters.
How to Make Your Own Pumpkin Templates
How to Make a Jack-o-Lantern Template
Carving jack-o-lanterns is a long-standing Halloween tradition that has evolved into an art form in itself. Pumpkin carving templates can be found all over in October, but why not express yourself? Creating your own original templates will set your pumpkins apart from the mass-produced ones in your neighborhood.
Click Here to Read Instructions!
Roasting Pumpkin Seeds
I use a lot of synthetic carving pumpkins now; but one of the reasons my kids and I ALWAYS make sure to have a few real ones is that we love snacking on roasted pumpkin seeds. They're easy to make:Take your seeds and remove most (not necessarily all) of the pulp. Mix your seeds in a bowl with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil or melted butter to coat. Sprinkle with salt, and any flavorings you like-- cayanne pepper, chili powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc... experiment!
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Place parchement paper on a cookie sheet. Spread the seeds on the cookie sheet and put them in the oven, stirring every 10 minutes or so, until golden brown. This can take from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many seeds you have and how much space they have.
Fun Halloween Article Links
What your Halloween Candy Says About You!
It's Halloween, and candy is the new astrology. There are about as many types of candy on the market as there are stars in the sky. But what is the hidden motive behind the bag you pick up at the supermarket? What are you trying to tell trick-or-treaters about yourself when you pass it out? Click here to read all about it!!
Synthetic Pumpkins:
Jack-O-Lantern Carving: Using Synthetic Pumpkins
tips and tricks for carving synthetic pumpkins
Synthetic pumpkins are pumpkins made of polystyrene materials, molded and colored to look like the real thing. These pumpkins can also be carved much like the real things, utilizing the same tools. While I still can't let a Halloween go by without using at least one or two real pumpkins, most of my carvings are now done on synthetic pumpkins.
The benefit of using synthetic pumpkins are:
Click Here to Read Full Article!
One of your old synthetic carved pumpkins didn't survive storage? Broken face? Recycle it with the art of decoupage. This very cheap, very easy craft can give new life to your old broken faux pumpkins.
Click Here to Read Instructions!
Leave Your Calling Card...
I'd love to hear from you, about your Jacks or see your photos and lenses.
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imolaK
Oct 3, 2011 @ 1:20 am | delete
- This is the first time when I heared about the legend of Jack. Nicely done lens. Blessed!
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janices7 Sep 16, 2010 @ 7:03 pm | delete
- Fantastic photos and links to resources...loved the link to tips for creating a face on a jack o' lantern. Thanks for all the great info!
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KimGiancaterino Sep 13, 2010 @ 12:59 am | delete
- Very nice lens ... I enjoyed the legend of Stingy Jack.
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susannaduffy
Aug 30, 2009 @ 11:15 pm | delete
- Blessed by an Angel for Halloween (squidoo.com/best-of-halloween)
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The_Party_Animal
Apr 21, 2009 @ 7:39 pm | delete
- This is great and useful come October - I will sure be back - I cheated this year and painted mine - uh oh
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- Load More
How to Paint Cute Pumpkin Faces
How to Paint Cute Pumpkin Faces on Pumpkins
Halloween decorations don't have to be scary. If you would rather have a decoration that is warm, friendly and festive, ditch the fangs and evil eyes and paint a cute face on your pumpkins. You don't need to be an art major; all you need are these tips for achieving an adorable look.
Click Here to Read Instructions!
Painting Pumpkins Instead?
Pumpkin Painting Supplies:
Treasure Hunting
Image Credits
Jack face: ppdigital/morguefile
Vintage Drawing: halloIreland
Pumpkin Seeds: adzica/sxc.hu
Headless Horseman: kit4706/photobucket
Halloween banner: teachersguide.com
Painted Pumpkins: Mary R. Vojt
This Halloween Magazine page written by
M_S_Beltran
Hi there! If you're a Jack-O-Lantern enthusiast like me, I'm glad you found this lens. Check out my carving tips, some photos, and some interesting Ha... more »
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A Very Scary Jack-O'-Lantern (Glows in the Dark)
Amazon Price: $7.79 (as of 06/01/2012)
Go Extreme!
Extreme Pumpkins II: Take Back Halloween and Freak Out a Few More Neighbors
Amazon Price: $1.61 (as of 06/01/2012)
Get your artificial carving pumpkins here!
Mr. Light Funkin Artificial Pumpkin, Prince, 10in by 8in by 8in/with Carving Tool
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