The Haunted Cauldron

Corner Columns (2010)

Since we are expanding the overall size of our grave yard for 2010, we had to add corner columns to compliment the enterance columns.

Following the same structure and mounting support system as my larger enterance columns we started off with the frame.

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I picked up these awesome candle driveway markers after Christmas on clearnace 1/2 off. As soon as I seen them I knew exactly what I was going to do with them.

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I had 2 matching large foam skulls, I again picked up on clearance a couple years ago. I never knew exactly what I was going to do with them until I found the driveway markers. I traced the approximate location I wanted the candles to be on the top of the skull as seen in below:

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Using my handy dandy x-acto knife, my daughter and I cut out the candle holes.

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We ran the cords down inside the hollow skull and using my hot glue gun we secured the candles in place. Next we added additional glue down the sides of the candles and on top of the skull to give that extra melted wax appearance.

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after-glue-was-added

Added a little paint and our column toppers were coming to life.

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Light Test:

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I plan to run the extension cord that is connected to the candles down the side of the PVC pipe and secure in place with zip straps. Since toppers are done…I moved on to the columns. I added installation foam, pvc pipe (same as I did on the larger enterance columns) and painted with a gray exterior house paint.

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While the base coat was drying, I cut 4 squares from my left over installation board for the column tops. Same as I did with the enterance columns, I staggered the topper size and roughed up the edges with my Dremeal to give the appearance of old carved stone. We temporaily centered the skulls on the foam tops and cut a small access hole in the center for our electric cord to pass through. Somehow I did not get pictures of this step. After the extension cord was attached to the PVC pipe we attached the foam tops with liquid nails and added a drywall nail to each corner (since that’s the only nails I could fine).

Now to secure the skulls to the column tops. First I added Liqid nails to the bottom of the skull and directly under the jaw. I than added GreatStuff Foam to fill the void in the center of the skull.

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Now on to the 3-skull front panels

I started off cutting 3 small skulls in half as seen below:

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I took two pieces of foam and traced a decorative edge on each end and cut out the pattern using my hot wire foam cutter. Added the same base gray paint and let dry.

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Once dry, I added the 3 half skulls to the fronts using liquid nails; as seen below:

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Now to adhere the panels to the fronts of the columns. I just layed the columns down on thier sides and added more liquid nails and let dry over night.

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