This project really provides an opportunity to get creative. You'll have lots of fun. There's no right or wrong way to make these fabulous fiends and what follows are only basic hints and instructions. You're sure to come up with your own ideas (please post your creations in the discussion blog below).

For the ghoul in the top photo above and at right, Tim covered the base of a styrofoam wig head with aluminum foil. He then covered the face portions in modeling clay, shaping the facial features as he worked. Two opaque black marbles give the eyes their shape as well as their vacant stare. Tim then made "worms" out of various colors of clay and stuffed these in his creation's mouth. An inexpensive Halloween costume wig provides this creature's oh-so-stylish coiffure.

For the ghastly guest in photo number 2 above and at left, Richard also started with a wig head, but he only used modeling clay over part of the face (the flesh tones in the photo). He then took a woodburning tool, like those sold in toy and hobby shops, to make his creature's grisly mouth. The woodburning tool instantly melts the styrofoam to create a 3-dimensional styrofoam sculpture (we use this same technique to make realistic tombstone props). Richard then used acrylic paint to add gory details.

Use your creations to decorate scenes in a haunted house like the photo below left. Use old clothes and stuff them with plastic grocery bags or leaves to give your bodies shape.

The monster in the photo below right was attached with thin rope to a small pulley which allowed the head to pop up from behind a wall and surprise guests entering the party. This effect gets a lot of screams!