How to create a scary 9 ft. structure for Halloween.

Step 1: The Many Uses of Skulls

A few years back I bought a cow skull. I decided to do a mirror mosaic on it. This was my first attempt at mosaic work so it wasn't really good enough to hang inside or to sell. So it became the head of my scarecrow.

Step 2: It's What's Inside That Counts

This structure is 1 inch PVC pipe with X connectors. There is an 8 1/2 steel pipe running inside the PVC pipe for strength and stability. NOTE: only the PVC pipe is cemented into the bucket with the steel pipe slid inside of it. I need to disassemble and reassemble on site.

Step 3: Close Up of Connectors

My mom finds and saves twisted branches for me to use in my odd projects such as this one. I duct taped them to the PVC making sure to not duct tape over my X connectors.

Step 4: Give Me a Hand

The "hands" you see here were the second failed attempt at making wings for my niece. The first failed attempt became a black widow spider. The hands are made of floral wire with aged plastic bones weaved into them. I also cut down the arm pipes to match the branch shoulders.

Step 5: A Good Foundation

Here is the bottom section of PVC cemented into the bucket. The branches and the steel pipe are NOT cemented in.

Step 6: My, Don't You Look Lovely in That Gown

Layers of cheese cloth cut poncho style were put on. Nice ghost effect, but that's not what I'm going for.

Step 7: Always Dress in Layers

So one poncho was put on the long way and the second smaller on put on to cover the shoulders and arms.

Step 8: Worked My Fingers to the Bone

Being a wire jewelry designer I was compelled to "spiral" the fingers...also I didn't want to get poked in the eye.

Step 9: Taking Shape

Starting with the "Monster Mud". 5 parts drywall compound and 1 part latex paint. I ended up adding a bit more latex paint and making it wetter because things tend to dry too fast in the desert.