Pumpkin carving kits for gadget geeks
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I’m a traditionalist. So when it comes to pumpkin carving, the standard triangle eyes and nose with a toothy grin is all I need. My husband, on the other hand, is a gadget guy who prefers elaborate jack-o’-lantern designs. Lucky for him, there’s Pumpkin Masters (they tout themselves as “America’s Trusted Halloween Brand”).
You’ve probably seen the company’s carving kits at the store. The first one we bought included a scooper, a poker, a few specially designed saws and a book of patterns. A year or two later, we upgraded to a kit that came with “sparkling jewels.” Last year, my husband invested in a battery-operated “Power Master” saw.I have to admit, the results can be impressive. Every year, my hand-carved creation looks a bit sad next to my husband’s intricately designed and impeccably carved pumpkins.First, the kids dig out the goop; we’ve found a big ol’ spoon to be just as effective, if not more so, than the scooper tool. Then they pick the pattern they want carved and tape it on the pumpkin. We all take turns poking the outline of the pattern, and then Dad gets to work with the saw (Word to the wise: Have a few saws on hand as they do tend to break). Slowly – unless, of course, you’re using the Power Master saw – the pumpkin becomes a haunted house, a cat, a witch or some other ghoulish scene. Lit and glowing on our front porch, these pumpkins are certainly eye-catching.
Still, it’s always seemed like a bit of overkill to me. But a quick tour of the Pumpkin Masters website (www.pumpkinmasters.com) proved me wrong. Our tools are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to pumpkin-carving paraphernalia.There are kits for carving artificial pumpkins and miniature pumpkins, a CD pattern-making kit, a pumpkin-painting kit, a pumpkin-carving party kit, tools, accessories and a whole line of kids’ pumpkin-carving kits. Pumpkin Masters has even come out with an “Xtreme Carving” line. And their annual pumpkin-carving contest includes total prizes worth up to $15,000.
Hmmmm, I might need to rethink my traditional ways.Jeanne McGovern’s e-mail address is jmcgovern@aspentimes.com
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