The Legend of the Jack O Lantern

As told by Mark Gilligan, collector and Halloween enthusiast
Jack was an Irishman, a very mean Irishman. He was also cruel to woman and children. Jack spent most of the day drinking at the local pub and then sleeping it off during the day.

Well, it just so happened that Jack died after going on one of his binges. He went to the Gates of Heaven and the Portals of Hell. Neither God nor the devil wanted this cruel, nasty and lazy mortal.

So the devil tossed a red, hot coal to Jack and told him that he would be destined to walking the night for all eternity. Jack took his pocket-knife and carved a hole in a large turnip. This was his makeshift lantern that he used to see where he was going on the l-o-n-g, dark nights.

When the Irish came to America they brought the holidays and celebrations with them. It was not easy to carve a turnip and the pumpkin was destined to become Jack's companion on the nightly walks that was his sentence.

And yes a turnip is hard to carve, see next >> Turnip Carving

If you want a few authentic pieces to go with your antique Halloween collectibles, how about carving a turnip? Yes, it was a very interesting interesting project to do. After reading how turnip was given to Jack in Ireland, I had to give it a try.

1. A rutabaga was used instead of turnip, the ones found at a local market are a little bigger and a bit easier to carve.
2. Slice off the top to be used for the lid.

1. A Sharpie outlined the few facial features on the small vegetable, because of the size, I decided not to get too carried away.
2. A small knife was used to cut away the inside of the vegetable, a slow process. Be sure to cut out enough so that a small battery tea light candle can sit securely.
3. The Martha Stewart website suggests using a melon baller, but I'm not sure it would be sharp enough, as the vegetable is very dense.
4. A very sharp, small pointed knife cut away the facial features. A craft knife could also be used here.
5. I outlined the outside of the mouth and eyes with a Sharpie to give the more definition.
6. A candle made it look great and now I'm ready to create a few more when it gets closer to Halloween.

These would be terrific nestled on the food table at a Halloween party.
Next >> Vegetables and Halloween

When looking at antique Halloween pieces, a common denominator are vegetables, lots of gourds, corns, squash are done in figural pieces. Pumpkin heads, radish bodies, watermelon jack o'lanterns -- it was obviously a time to celebrate the harvest, along with the Halloween holiday.

• Pumpkin Planter
  Step by step in instructions on creating a perfectly fall planter, as shown above.
• How to Choose Pumpkins to Carve or Pumpkins for Cooking What’s the Difference Between a Cooking Pumpkin and a Jack-o’Lantern?

• A Kitchen Witch from Squash
  Every kitchen needs one of these to ward off spirits, but this one is too cute to do anything but make you smile.
• Easy Pumpkin Candles
  Even I can make these!
• Carve a Jack O'Lantern Sikkh StyleA little look, but so great to make.

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• Halloween Fonts
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Budgeting for Halloween