Vintage Halloween Candy Containers

Vintage Halloween Candy Containers

I was excited to make these cute Halloween boxes. I used Styrofoam balls that are smooth. Much easier to work with. Get paper mache boxes to fit. (Actually, you want the boxes to look a little oversized because you're going to cover the Styrofoam balls with  paper clay and make them bigger.)

I stuck a skewer into the bottom of the Styrofoam ball and then stuck it in some Styrofoam packing protection to dry. The skewer makes it much easier to handle the project. Work a thin layer of paper clay over the Styrofoam ball. (Paper clay is smoother than celluclay. Easier to work with, but maybe harder to find. If you can't find it, plan on doing some sanding on the celluclay--or have a more rustic finish.) Keep working the paper clay until it is fairly smooth. Then add the details. I dug vertical grooves in the pumpkin with a pair of needlenose pliers. Any tool with the shape you want will work. Just dig down to the Styrofoam level and smooth it out. I dug out eye holes with my finger tip, twisting in a circle.

For the cat's ears, I cut slits in the top of the ball (before the paper clay) I cut triangles with tabs on the bottom from corrugated cardboard for ears and jammed them down into the slits. I squirted in  some white glue. Once the ears are covered with paper clay and supported with extra clay around the base, they look pretty good. For the cat I also pinched off a little clay for a nose and puffy cheeks--or jaws or whatever they are--under the nose. I used my fingertip to gouge out a smiling mouth. When the head is covered and sculpted to your satisfaction, stick it in the Styrofoam packing chunk to dry.

Next day gesso the head and the paper mache box. Or use some kind of primer on it. You can cover the box with pretty paper or paint it. Paint the lid and the inside too. Paint the head as desired. I found that tiny details like teeth or eye pupils are easier done with a paint pen or permanent marker.

I covered everything with a gloss glaze when it was finished. You might be happier with a matte glaze which would make it look  more vintage. You can also sand and/or glaze the corners of the boxes to age them. I drilled a tiny hole into the center of the box lid and then ran a small screw up through the lid and that skewer hole in the bottom of the head. Lots of glue, and it should stay solidly attached. I covered the joining, and helped support it with a strip of tightly gathered ribbon. Decorate as desired and enjoy your display!