Wig Out
by Kathleen M. Mitchell
All Hallows Read
Neil Gaiman’s All Hallows Read recommendations:
by Amber Helsel
KIMBERLY BUTLER
T
he classic trick-or-treat song wouldn’t feel the same if you replaced “give me something good to eat” with “give me something good to read.” Because it’s all about the candy, right? For science-fiction and fantasy author Neil Gaiman, it’s not. In 2010, Gaiman started giving scary books instead of treats on Halloween—a tradition he calls All Hallows Read—as a ploy to get children to read. He recommends that participators in the event say the following to trickor-treaters: “‘Take it. Read it. Trust me… around here… a book can be… safer than candy.’” Then he says to, “chuckle to yourself, as if remembering something unfortunate that happened to some of the local children only last year.” Though a lot of kids may not like this tradition, it could play in parents’ favors, because instead of the tons of candy that lead to many trips to the dentist, kids get a scary book that sparks their imagination—and possibly their inner fears. You can trace the tradition to a blog
If you really want to add some volume, you can sew two wigs together. Take one wig completely apart—the hair is sewn in lines called wefts—and sew the hair between the wefts of the intact wig. To add shape to the wig, you can use shapes or padding and hide it under the hair. Kristin recommends using materials that are the same color as the hair (or covering your materials with felt the same color as the hair) to make disguising them easier. Use lightweight materials so your head doesn’t fall backward! Foam, wire, plastic cups, etc., are all good materials. Some wig makers use paper maché, but that can
For younger readers: “The Eyes of the Dragon” by Stephen King (Signet, 1987, $7.99) “Goosebumps” by R.L. Stein (multiple books, Scholastic) “The Halloween Tree” by Ray Bradbury (Yearling, 1999, $5.99) “The Witches” by Roald Dahl (Puffin, 2007, $6.99) “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” by Alvin Schwartz (Scholastic, 1989, $5.39)
For teen and adult readers: Science-fiction writer Neil Gaiman wants Halloween to also be a book- giving holiday.
post where Gaiman pondered what Halloween would be like if it was a bookgiving holiday. Of course, he insists that participators give trick-or-treaters scary books they can handle, and even has a list of recommendations. For more, visit allhallowsread.com.
“The Shining” by Stephen King (Anchor, 2012 reprint, $7.99) “The Magic Cottage” by James Herbert (Onyx, 1988, $7.75) “The Woman in Black” by Susan Hill (Vintage, 2012 reprint, $14) “The Exorcist” by William Peter Blatty (Harper, 2013 reprint, $7.99) The short story collections of Edgar Allan Poe or H.P. Lovecraft
get heavy if you aren’t careful. To keep the wig’s shape, use fabric glue, which dries clear. It can, occasionally, stain lighter fibers, so do a test on a less visible section of the hair. Kristin recommends wearing a wig cap, which most wig stores will throw in for free with the purchase of a wig. Even very long hair will fit under nearly any wig cap—try French braiding your hair close to the head or in a spiral around your head, then fit the wig cap over. Final bit of advice: each step will probably take longer than you think (especially if something needs to dry), so don’t delay!
Harper-Collins’ recommendations:
For pre-schoolers: Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino (HarperFestival, 2003, $5.99) The Dangerous Alphabet by Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins, 2010 reprint, $6.99)
For 8- to 12-year-olds “The Headless Horseman Rides Tonight” by Jack Prelutsky (Greenwillow Books, 1992, $6.99) “Always October” by Bruce Coville (HarperCollins, 2012, $16.99)
For teens “Carnival of Souls” by Melissa Marr (HarperCollins, 2012, $17.99) “Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story” by Adam Rex (Balzer + Bray, 2011 reprint, $8.99)
jacksonfreepress.com
KRISTIN BRENEMEN
Elaborate Halloween wigs can get extremely expensive, but with a little practice and creativity, you can transform a cheaper wig into exactly what you need.
KRISTIN BRENEMEN
J
ackson Free Press Art Director Kris- way to create stripes or ombre effects. One tin Brenemen is quickly becoming really dedicated wig maker took the markour resident wig expert. She has ers and literally colored on the hair strands, made five wigs now to help take her then sealed the color with furniture sealant DIY costumes to the next level. She shared (so it doesn’t ruin clothes or dye your skin on her tips for transforming a contact). You can also use wig into the perfect topper fabric dye much the same for any costume. way as the marker liquid. It’s easiest to start with If you want to cut a base wig and build onto it. the wig or do a lot of heavy Depending on how much styling, Kristin recomwork you are willing to do, mends purchasing a wig you can start with a cheap form. You can get them at Halloween wig, but know most beauty supply stores that the fibers will likely be or even your local salon. lower quality. You can also Cut a little at a time. You start with strips of wig hair, can always cut more, but but you’ll need some kind you can’t cut less. To deconstruct a wig, pull it of base to put them on. Adding curls or apart one weft at a time. To color the hair on a body is a great way to wig, try the Sharpie methbuild volume. Most wigs od. Take a sharpie or permanent marker and are not heat-resistant, so you need to use soft let it sit in rubbing alcohol. Then, you can curlers and hot water or steam. You need to either soak the entire wig in a bath of the make sure the curlers are completely cool liquid or put that dyed rubbing alcohol in a and dry before removing them, though, so spray bottle and mist the wig with it—a great be prepared for this step to take some time.
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