What You'll Learn
LIGHT IT
You can create an opening at the bottom of the pumpkin to place over a light source. But if you opt for cutting out a lid, make sure you include a notch for hassle-free replacement and angle your cuts inward to prevent the lid from falling in.
The light source you choose can affect the life span of your pumpkin. "Using a low-watt electric light instead of candles will reduce shriveling," says Gene Granata of MasterpiecePumpkins.com. Try the Pumpkin Powered Light or Ultimate Strobe Light available from Pumpkin Masters.
Lighting is the key to simple designs such as the pumpkin "disco ball," created by drilling holes of various sizes into the wall of a pumpkin, then lighting it from within (image 2). According to former TOH editorial assistant Harry Sawyers, who wrote about tools on our blog The Hardware Aisle: "Irwin's Seedbor bits have a deep blue recess beneath the cutting blade that channels the waste material up and out of the hole, while other bits leave messy orange tendrils." (See image 3)
PRESERVE IT
Thoroughly gutting and cleaning the pumpkin before you carve will make for a longer-lasting carving. But after you carve, Wickstrand suggests "sealing in moisture on cut edges by applying a coat of white glue." Both Wickstrand and JP of JamminPumpkins.com say you can also apply petroleum jelly to carved edges to prevent moisture loss. "I like to spray Lysol on the whole carving and inside the whole pumpkin to keep the pumpkin-killing bacteria away," says St0ney of Stoneykins.com. Granata recommends Pumpkin' Dunk'n, a preservative soak that promises to add as much as two weeks to the life of your carving. Meanwhile, 3D carver Scott Cummins recommends bagging and cooling your work. "After your pumpkin has been displayed for a few hours and you notice some drying, you can temporarily revive it by completely submerging it in chilled water for a couple of hours. I put a tiny bit of bleach in the water, mainly to make sure its not contaminated," he says.
You can create an opening at the bottom of the pumpkin to place over a light source. But if you opt for cutting out a lid, make sure you include a notch for hassle-free replacement and angle your cuts inward to prevent the lid from falling in.
The light source you choose can affect the life span of your pumpkin. "Using a low-watt electric light instead of candles will reduce shriveling," says Gene Granata of MasterpiecePumpkins.com. Try the Pumpkin Powered Light or Ultimate Strobe Light available from Pumpkin Masters.
Lighting is the key to simple designs such as the pumpkin "disco ball," created by drilling holes of various sizes into the wall of a pumpkin, then lighting it from within (image 2). According to former TOH editorial assistant Harry Sawyers, who wrote about tools on our blog The Hardware Aisle: "Irwin's Seedbor bits have a deep blue recess beneath the cutting blade that channels the waste material up and out of the hole, while other bits leave messy orange tendrils." (See image 3)
PRESERVE IT
Thoroughly gutting and cleaning the pumpkin before you carve will make for a longer-lasting carving. But after you carve, Wickstrand suggests "sealing in moisture on cut edges by applying a coat of white glue." Both Wickstrand and JP of JamminPumpkins.com say you can also apply petroleum jelly to carved edges to prevent moisture loss. "I like to spray Lysol on the whole carving and inside the whole pumpkin to keep the pumpkin-killing bacteria away," says St0ney of Stoneykins.com. Granata recommends Pumpkin' Dunk'n, a preservative soak that promises to add as much as two weeks to the life of your carving. Meanwhile, 3D carver Scott Cummins recommends bagging and cooling your work. "After your pumpkin has been displayed for a few hours and you notice some drying, you can temporarily revive it by completely submerging it in chilled water for a couple of hours. I put a tiny bit of bleach in the water, mainly to make sure its not contaminated," he says.
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