Bronner’s has rebuilt it’s Department 56 Halloween Village display! Without a doubt, the focal point of the new display is the giant jack-o’-lantern named “Jack.”
Carving the Jack-o’-lantern
First, Bronner’s decorator Eileen Boone carved the giant pumpkin out of Styrofoam. She used a hot knife, also called a foam cutter. Next, she painted his exterior using three shades of acrylic paint. As can be seen, this created dimension, subtly emphasizing light and shadow. Finally, she painted the interior of the jack-o’-lantern black. Before it dried, she glittered the wet paint.
“Previously,” Eileen said, “Our Halloween village displayer featured grays. This time we decided to add a pop of color. Accordingly, orange pops from the jack-o’-lantern. In addition, the wall-washer light brings bold colors to the palette.”
Finishing the Jack-o’-lantern
When the paint was dry, the decorating team moved Jack onto the store displayer. Additionally, they lit the jack-o’-lantern with a wall-washer. As shown below, they added village pieces and other finishing touches. These included stringy pumpkin guts and seeds.
Product for the Halloween Village
Featured in the jack-o’-lantern’s wide grin are Dalton’s Dolls, Halloween silhouette, and the Haunted Huntsman House, new in 2020. In addition, village trees and graveyard accessories complete the scene.
More Halloween village buildings and accessories surround Jack and add to the display. In fact, you’ll find Wicked Wax Works, Hattie’s Hat Shop and Esmerelda’s Shoe Shop. Not to mention Celia’s Cellar, Swinging Ghoulies and Midnight Fright Light.
Looking for more DIY ideas for your Department 56 Halloween village display? Do the Monster Mash. Or make a slime waterfall for your Halloween display.
Lastly, let us know your favorite Department 56 Halloween village piece in the comments below.
All this talk of pumpkins makes me hungry! Without a doubt, it’s time to roast some pumpkin seeds.
How large is the styrofoam that you started with for the giant pumpkin carving?
Thanks
Erick
Hi Erick,
Eileen believes the piece of Styrofoam she worked from measured approximately 3’ X 4’X 2’. Happy carving.
so what size is the foam. All I can find are sheets. can’t find one big piece
Our decorating team saves foam from shipments we receive in addition to buying foam from Menards. The larger piece of foam for this project was one we saved from a shipment. If you can find a business in your area that receives shipments using larger pieces of foam, you may be able to ask them to save a piece for you.
Great job love it. Can you tell me where you get such large pieces of styrofoam ? Wound love to try this fir my home display
Thanks
Lildebic
So glad you like it, Debby! We save packing foam that comes in with merchandise to use and also purchase some foam from Menards.