How to Make Halloween Picks

Homemade plant picks can change a fall centerpiece into a themed Halloween centerpiece by using the witch picks or a Fall and Thanksgiving centerpiece by using the angels.

You can make an outstanding Halloween centerpiece from a purchased, basic flower or fruit, centerpiece by just adding a few homemade picks that you have crafted yourself.

This article is a how-to on making angel and witch picks.We start out with simple supplies: Peg style clothespins, Halloween print, orange, black or green fabric, chenille strips, floral moss, ribbon, and maple leaves on a stem (buy them at the Dollar Store 10 /$1.)

For added fun, be sure to have a friend or family member help you make the picks. They are very easy to make, if you make one of these you will want to make more of them. Then tuck the picks into the centerpiece or glue a magnet on the back and display it on your refrigerator door.

Draw a 7" diameter circle on the back side of the fabric.

Cut a 3"x 6" piece of fabric for the sleeve. Fold over the short ends and lay the 4" piece of chenille strip on one end between the folded ends. Fold the opposite long edge to the inside, and then fold the chenille strip inside the fabric, bringing the folded edge over it. Glue the fabric to form a sleeve over the arms.

Fold the circle in half and then in half again. Cut an 1/8" tip off the corner made by folding.

Run a bead of glue around the "neck" of the clothespin.

Slide the "head" of the clothespin through the hole in the center of the 7" diameter circle and press in place around the neck of the clothespin.

Tie the 9" piece of ribbon around the clothespin, about 1/2" below the head. Make a small bow.

Use a nickel sized ball of floral moss for the hair. Apply glue to the top, sides and back of the clothespin head and press the floral moss over the glue.

Using a 4" strip of gold glitter chenille strip, shape one end into a dime sized circle for the halo.

Bend the strip at the circle to make a square corner. Apply glue to the bottom 1 1/2" of the halo stem and glue the halo to the back of the head and body. The halo should extend a bit above the head.

Apply a line of glue down the center of the maple leaf.

Glue the angel to the leaf over the line of glue. Put a dab of glue at the back bottom of the clothespin and glue to the inside back skirt.

With the black Sharpie, draw dots for eyes. This is optional: draw a mouth also or leave the face blank.

Your angel pick is ready to dress up an existing arrangement, plant or wherever your imagination takes it. Glue the leaf to a clip clothespin, glue a magnet to the back and attach to the front of your refrigerator and use it to hold pictures or notes.

With a few changes, you can make a witch using the same basic instructions. Instead of a halo, cut a 1 1/2" diameter (size of a poker chip) circle from a piece of black fabric for a witches hat brim. Cut a 2" x 3" piece of black fabric. Measure in 1" on each side of one 3"edge and mark. Cut from that mark to 1/4" above the other side. Refer to the picture.

Apply a thin line of glue along one slanted edge, shape a hat crown and glue to opposite slanted edge. Cut the bottom edge so it is flat. Run a line of glue around the bottom of the hat crown and glue to the center of the circle. To put a dent in the crown, apply a dot of glue and shape as you wish.

The finishes witch's hat with a dented crown.

To finish the witch pick, refer to the directions for the angel. But glue the witch the opposite way on the maple leaf pick. Cut slits in the maple leaf and fashion a broom bristle end.