This is the time of the year that has always been my favorite season. The weather starts to cool down, and my ambition ramps up and the creative juices start to flow. I want to go thru my closets and reorganize and let go of the things I no longer use. The yard work that we have been putting off due to the heat, is finally getting done. Then we have my favorite, decorating for fall.
Because I have gotten such a great response from my past tomato cage projects, I have worked up a new fairly easy addition to the past years characters. “Dracula the tomato cage version. ” I still try to keep to my non scary or threatening Halloween tradition, so hope you will try this years entry.
Step 1- His head is made from a gallon plastic milk jug which was spray painted blue and then I hand painted his features in with acrylic paint bought at Walmarts’ craft department. For Dracula, the milk jug handle will be the back of the head, and the opposite side will actually be his nose. I do not have an actual pattern for this, it is done basically free hand. I did pencil sketch some features in to keep it balanced on both sides. He does have a turtle look to him, but it will improve when finished.
Step 2- The tomato cage is next and it will be used upside down with the prongs facing up. The size of tomato cages vary and I try to find the size that will suit the head . Some small cages are too short so I will use the next size for a better visual balance. These prongs will be gathered together and duct taped or wired up. This is where his milk jug head will later be placed and stabilized. If your prongs are to long you can try to either cut the excess off after taping or bend them down and out of the way. Try the head on first, before cutting prongs to short and the head will fall forward. I add more duct tape to thicken up the neck wire to keep the head steady. Do not attach the head now.
Step 3- The arms. I use a wire coat hanger with the top hook cut off. I then fold it in half to find center and wrap it twice around the top part of the taped/wired tomato cage. I also tape this to stabilize. I bend the coat hanger end back about two inches to form a sort of hand. You can form his arms in a direction of your choice, raised, one up. one down, crossed, you will be cover/dressing his arms now . I found a small size turtleneck white shirt at the thrift store and I worked the hanger wire through the sleeves and over the neck. You can now refine you arm placement as you like. Tape down the bottom of the shirt to the wire cage it keep it in place. I then used black fabric taped to complete the bottom . You can also staple the material together instead of taping. I have used both methods and they work equally well.
Step 4- The head placement. The head is simply slide over the prongs into place and taped to the tomato cage body. This is why the turtleneck shirt works to hide the taping.
Step 5- The cape and jabot(necktie). I purchased the cape for $1 at the dollar tree. I actually used two of them to have it appear fuller and the collar stands up better. Simply tie around the neck . I used a white wired ribbon to tie a bow, necktie around the turtleneck. A pendant may be added to dress up the look. I also added the red sash just to add more color to the outfit and also hide the separation from shirt to black bottom. At this point you are finished with your basic tomato cage Dracula. Anything goes, you can embellish your creation as you wish, have fun and a safe Halloween.
