The Drifting Jellyfish

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Prep the pumpkin and pattern

   Pick a tall, smooth pumpkin with a broad front panel so the bell has room to spread. Cut a lid from the bottom or the back rather than the top, which keeps the stem intact and makes the light easy to reach. Scrape the inside wall behind the design down to about one inch thick so cutting is easier. Tape your printed jellyfish pattern flat to the front and poke the outlines with a pushpin or transfer tool.

2. 2

   Score the outlines

   With a small detail saw, trace lightly along every pinned line just to break the skin before committing to full cuts. Go slowly around the curved dome so the bell stays smooth and rounded. Marking the whole shape first gives you a clear map and helps you spot the tentacle gap before you remove anything.

3. 3

   Cut the two tentacles first

   Saw out the two long tentacle openings before the big bell so the rind stays firm while you work. To keep the gap between them uniform, cut a narrow strip of cardboard the exact width of the space and rest it in the gap as a spacer while you saw down each side. Work from the top of each tentacle toward the rounded bottom, easing the saw and letting it do the work. Check that both tentacles taper the same way so they look like a matched pair.

4. 4

   Remove the bell last

   Cut the large dome opening after the tentacles are done, since it is the biggest piece and weakens the wall the most. Saw the top curve in a few short passes and support the piece with your free hand so it does not tear out early. Push the cutout gently inward and out rather than yanking it. Clean up any ragged edges with light sawing so the dome curve stays crisp.

5. 5

   Optional dim glow around the dome

   For a soft halo effect, use a loop tool to shave a thin band of skin just outside the bell so it glows dim orange without cutting all the way through. Keep this peeling shallow and even. This step is optional, so skip it if you want the crisp minimal look from the reference.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Set a battery LED puck or string inside and skip open flames, especially outdoors at a campsite. Position the light low and slightly forward so it fills the tentacle channels evenly. Take your photo in near dark so the bold cutout reads as bright orange against the shadow. A dab of petroleum jelly on the cut edges slows drying and keeps the shape sharp for a few extra nights.

Written with AI to match this design