Miniature Jack O' Lantern

by itzmrmiller

10K5815

Intro: Miniature Jack O' Lantern

In this tutorial I will show you how to make a miniature Jack O' Lantern.

You will need:
1) Mandarin Orange
2) Chopping Board
3) Knife
4) Small scissors
5) Tea spoon
6) Glass, for discarding waste
7) Tooth pick
8) Tea light   

STEP 1: Miniature

Use the knife to cut the top off the Mandarin, it is best to cut the least stable side of it so that it will stand up well.
Now use the back of the spoon to squeeze some of the juice into the glass, being careful not to get any into your eyes.
You may wish to lay down some news paper to prevent any mess. 

STEP 2: Miniature Jack O' Lantern

Use the back of the spoon to squeeze some of the juice into the glass, being careful not to get any into your eyes.
You may wish to lay down some news paper to prevent any mess.

STEP 3: Hollowing Out

Now that the Mandarin is almost hollow you can use the knife to separate the peal from membrane. 

STEP 4: Facial Features

Use a toothpick to pierce the skin in the places where you wish for the facial features to go.
Join two of the dots by making holes between them.
Once the gap is big enough, scissors can be used to join all the dots.  
Repeat this step for the other eye, the nose and the mouth.

STEP 5: The Mouth

Repeat the last step for the other eye, the nose and the mouth.
You may find it easier if you draw a template to cut around. 

STEP 6: Finishing Touches

Wash the Lantern under the tap to remove any juice, then dry it using a paper towel.
Insert the candle and you've finished. (if you do light them make sure not to put the lid on).
Congratulations! 

14 Comments

PikeMinnow 10 years ago

I want to do this with LED tea lights, and hole punch string holes and put them on a stick so I've got a portable lantern

so awesome

itzmrmiller 10 years ago

Do you mean to string lots together or have one on a stick on its own?

PikeMinnow 10 years ago

I mean have 2 or 3 on their own strings but the strings all on the same stick

Sort of like this guy, only instead of rattles, lanterns. And I won't hit people with it.

McMeel26 10 years ago

well unless they deserve it, or refuse to take their rightful place as king :-)

michaelsd98 10 years ago

What a clever idea and it is so cute!

ClareBS 10 years ago

That's really cute, I'd eat the orange pulp as I hollowed it out. I love the photos with the candle inside.

poofrabbit 11 years ago

This is great!!! You know, I think if you just leave this out, it will dry and then you have a whole other little orange jack do do fun stuff with....bet fire wouldn't be a good idea after it dried, but I'm sure there are others uses. :)

itzmrmiller 11 years ago

I could make bodies for them.
Do you have any ideas?

poofrabbit 11 years ago

That would be cool, you might also be able to make several and make them into a wreath, if you used the battery operated candles you could even have them glow...or LED lights. They will get pretty hard after dried, so there are a lot of possibilities. Bodies for them might be pretty cool, you could make a headless horseman. :)

jessyratfink 11 years ago

I love these, they're so cute. :) And you got amazing photos!

Penolopy Bulnick 11 years ago

Soo cool! In one, the light shows up better. Did you dig out more of the orange to get that affect?

itzmrmiller 11 years ago

The darker one was a day older than the other so it had time to dry out, possibly making it darker.
I'm glad you like them!