Helga
I wanted to have a witch for my Yard Haunt in 2008 so I started working with a styrofoam wig head.
I started using a combination of paper mache and paper towels to make Helga’s face. I built her facial features (nose and chin) with newspaper. Her eyebrows, ears and lips were formed with papertowels.
Side view of Helga’s nose and chin. We joke that she looks more like a Troll than a Witch. That is the one good thing about being a Home Haunter. Try and Try again 
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Now on to her hands - Her arms are made from PVC and fingers made from a rubber hose cut into pieces. I used paper towels dipped in latex paint and Elmer’s glue for her skin.
The arms/hands were pretty much dry in a day. So I started working on her frame (as seen below).
After going through my linen closet, I discovered an old quilt ready for the trash that could be used to make Helga’s body. So my daugther and I started cutting up strips of quilt to make Helga a bit more curvy. We used Duct Tape to hold everything in place and to form somewhat of a torso for Helga.
As far as clothing for Helga -
Not willing to give up my personal Witch’s Costume along with being pretty cheap in 2008 I used black garbage bags to create her dress and cape.
Helga had a mini facelift for 2009 – So she doesn’t look so much like a troll any longer!
I used paper mache clay to build-up her face a little more as seen below. I also decided to give her some pointy teeth to add character and pieces of random hair instead of having a full wig (I think it makes her look a bit more scary than Troll Helga seen above). I’m still not 100% happy with her face but she’ll work for now…..
Helga under lights
with cape hood up
without cape hood
