New tools make pumpkin carving a breeze

Creating jack-o-lanterns has been a Halloween custom enjoyed by children and adults for decades. But the creative pumpkin artists of today have it much easier than those of prior generations. The days of gross gourd gut scraping and hand cramps resulting from laborious hours of knife handling are nearly abolished. Today’s pumpkin carving tools allow for an easier, safer way to unleash the creative subconscious and celebrate this spook-tacular holiday. Many are inexpensive and can be found in any shopping supercenter.

Electronic pumpkin carvers: Battery-powered carvers unleash creativity while alleviating hand cramps. Many are safer than using traditional kitchen knives or other sharp objects, and often include templates for pumpkins. Batteries are generally not included.

Try:

-”Power pumpkin carver.” Available at K-mart for $9.99

Pumpkin carving kits: Most often including different sized chisels, knives and scraping tools, pumpkin carving kits provide a variety of tools for big cuts and fine detailing. Kits often include suggested age ranges, thereby making the task of finding tools for little ones a little simpler.

Try:

-Disney’s “Pirates of the Carribbean Pumpkin Carving Kit.” Available at Target for $14.99.

Pumpkin carving dvds: Pumpkin carving dvds are perfect for the visual learner or television junkie. Often including templates and advice for basic to advanced carvers, most dvds claim to provide enough instruction for viewers to be carving like pros.

Try:

-”A Complete Guide to Carving the Perfect Pumpkin.” Available at Target for $6.98.

Pumpkin carving books: Books about pumpkin carving most often include step-by-step instructions on how to create a masterpiece. They also include templates that can be traced onto pumpkins, for less-creative carvers. Many provide information on different techniques different from traditional hollowing, gutting and cutting, such as carving pumpkins with seeds and the slimy stuff still in tact and chiseling them to resemble sculptures.

Try:

-”Extreme Pumpkin Carving 20: Amazing Designs from Frightful to Fabulous” by Vic Hood and Jack Williams. Available at www.barnesandnoble.com for $14.95.

- “How to Carve Pumpkins for Great Results” by Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell. Available at Target stores for $6.89.

SHEREE WHITELEY
Managing Editor

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