Jack-O-Lampshade

Look at this lamp!! It's not Halloweeny enough. I take off the lampshade. I'm going to make a new one.

I am pretty much making this up as I go along. I want to make a Jack-O-Lantern shade for it.

FUN FACT: Jack-O-Lanterns were originated from the idea of putting a candle in the window to ward off evil spirits and welcome good ones. Historically they were made using turnips (because the Pagan faiths originated in Britain) and after those people migrated to America they started to use pumpkins because they were easier to carve (being bigger and softer than turnips).

So anyway, I found this orange clear plastic sheets. To make it into a sphere-ish shape I made a ball of paper and wrapped the plastic around it.

Then I wrapped sticky tape around the plastic to make it hold its shape. Of course I left a gap in the tape so that I could take the paper out again. After I removed the paper, I used the tape to close up the gap, then I wrapped the thing in another layer of plastic (like a present).

After that it was time to make some holes in it. With scissors. I made two eyes, a mouth and a hole in the bottom so I'd be able to sit it on its lamp.

I tidied the holes up by folding small strips of tape over their edges.  But I didn't photograph this as I didn't see the point. Finally, it needed a stem. I rolled up a piece of green felt and taped it together like so:

Then I made a little hole in the outer layer of orangeness and sat the stalk inside it. But it didn't look right so I unravelled it a little, which I don't think is very authentic but it looks better and that's what's important.

And here it is on its lamp.

I'm not too sure if it's finished. I'll have a look for my sharpie and outline the holes to make them more defined. 

 That's better :) All done!