Halloween 2015: Glitter Pumpkins

Photographed at the Craft Studio. Photo by Andrew Schwartz.

To check out the rest of our Halloween craft projects & DIY decor ideas, click HERE!

As an alternative to carving pumpkins, try picking up smaller pumpkins in a variety of sizes and colors (for a list of great local pumpkin-picking spots, click HERE) and adding glitter to them! Once you complete them, dry using a decorative pedestal (available at most party supply and craft stores) to display them at different heights on your Halloween treat table.

For this project, we used:

*Small and medium sized pumpkins (we found ours at Whole Foods in Union Square)

*Mod Podge (glossy)

*A small ArtMinds foam brush

*Creatology glitter in assorted colors (silver & black)

*Fiskars Star Thick Materials Shape Punch ($17.99-25.99 at fiskars.com)

Click through the slideshow below for how-to tips on creating this project at home!

Gather your supplies!
Once you've gathered together your supplies (pictured here and listed above), think about what kind of design you want to make with the glitter and also set up your work space. We recommend laying down a few sheets of newspaper on a table or on a tiled or wood floor space (avoid carpet because of the glitter). We also recommend using a small bowl or Tupperware container to put the Mod Podge in. Photo by Andrew Schwartz
Create your design!
Use the foam brush to apply the Mod Podge to the area you want to add glitter to—the possibilities are limitless, so use your imagination! For the larger pumpkin, we did vertical stripes with black glitter, using the pumpkins natural grooves as dividing lines; and for the smaller one we used the Fiskars Star Thick Materials Shape Punch to make a star stencil on regular paper and dabbing the Mod Podge in the star shape with both silver and black glitter. Photo by Andrew Schwartz.
Finishing touches!
Liberally shake glitter over the area(s) where you've applied Mod Podge--and note, you may want to use an old dishtowel or paper towel to dab off stray glitter and clean up the borders of your design. Let the glitter set for an hour, then dab on another layer of Mod Podge over the entire pumpkin (and let set another hour) to prevent glitter from flaking off and to give the non-glitter areas a glossy look. Photo by Andrew Schwartz.

British Swim School - Long Island

The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.&nbsp; British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School&rsquo;s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!

Manhattan Mandarin

Manhattan Mandarin runs the Mandarin after-school programs at over 40 schools nationwide, including St. Bernard's, Chapin, Allen-Stevenson, and Buckley. Whether in schools, students' homes, in the office, online, or on our beloved China trips, our teachers and tutors have helped hundreds of students of all ages master the Mandarin language on their own unique paths to fluency. Our philosophy has always been to make private lessons and classes perfectly tailored for each individual student. We look forward to working with you. - Jamie Keyte, Founder

British Swim School - Manhattan