Living in an age of low-energy, CFL lightbulbs, we all know that the old fashioned sort are evil, even if they do make better crafting supplies! So why not make that point by turning an old bulb into a wicked witch? It's a great way to recycle, and also a very quick and easy project for Halloween (and let's face it - time is running out!)
Your finished witch can be hung anywhere you like: maybe use her as a spooky bauble, or as a centrepiece in a halloween wreath. Just don't drop her, as she's very fragile!
[Via All Free Crafts]
Related: shake up old bulbs for fab salt and pepper pots
Materials:
Burned out light bulb
Acrylic Enamel Paints:
Sage Green
Black
White
Black Feathers
Black Craft Foam
Gold Bead or Button
Black String or ribbon
Hot Glue
Tacky Glue
Toothpick
Paint Brush
Instructions:
Paint your lightbulb using sage green paint. It's important to use an "enamel" paint for this project. If you use regular acrylic paints, the paint will scratch and peel. If you have glass paint... that will work even better. If you decide to use regular acrylic paints, do not expose your bulbs to the outdoors and be very careful not to scratch the surface. Allow your paint to dry.
I made the hat using craft foam, but you can purchase a ready made hat at craft shops. To make the hat, cut pattern pieces as shown (larger if using a regular light bulb). The best way to make the hat, is to draw your circles on a sheet of paper first and use the paper template, to cut from the foam.
To assemble your hat, roll the 1/3 circle to create a cone shape and using tacky glue, secure the seam. If you want to add a hanger for your witch, glue about a 5 inch strand of string or ribbon (2 cut ends) on what will be the inside of the cone. The ribbon will extend up and out of the top of the cone (see photo). Allow this glue to dry completely before you continue. Cut a hole in the centre of your full circle, this hole will need to be large enough, to insert over the socket end of your light bulb.
Once the glue on your cone section is dry, attach the cone to the bib section using tacky glue and allow the glue to dry.
To dress up the hat a little, glue a small strip of black ribbon around the seam between the cone and brim of the hat. Add a small gold bead or button to the centre (see photo for placement).
For the hair, I used feathers, but you can use raffia or doll hair or any other suitable product. Cut feathers to random lengths with longest length about 3 inches. I used 9 pieces of feather for this project. Using your finger nails or scissors, very gently pull the exposed ends of the feathers (soft section of the feathers only) to create a curl on the feather. Similar to curling ribbon. With your fingernails, you pinch the feather between 2 finger nails and pull gently, this will curl the ends. If using scissors, place the soft section of the feather ends along one blade of your scissors and your finger or thumb on top of the feather with the feather strands pinched between the scissor blade and your finger. Gently pull the feather through (very gently or you'll break the feather) to create a small curl. If your scissors are very sharp, you may cut through the feather, so be careful.
Hot glue your feathers to the lightbulb where the hair should be placed (see photo). Making sure the glue on your hat is dry, place the hat over the lightbulb and hot glue in place on the lightbulb. This will cover all the feather ends.Painting the face:
To the left, is a clear diagram of the face and it is very easy to paint. The eyes are simply a 1/3 circle, painted white. Once the white paint is dry, paint the edge of your eye with black paint (a toothpick works great for painting the detail, just don't press with toothpick). Dip your toothpick in black paint and gently paint the outline.
Using a toothpick or very fine liner paint brush, paint an oval shape for the nose and crooked line for the mouth. Paint 2 squares with white paint to create the teeth and once that paint is dry, outline the teeth with black paint. Again, using a toothpick, draw eyelashes and small strokes for the eyebrows.
[via Hip Forums]
