(Story from MPRNews)

David LaRochelle has a history with pumpkins.

When he was only 11, he grew a handful of the orange orbs and sold them on a street corner in his hometown of New Brighton, Minn.

"I've always loved pumpkins," LaRochelle said. "Every year, I can't get enough."

 He first took carving seriously in the 1980s, when he saw a pumpkin-carving contest on the back of a carving kit at the store. He entered — and he won.

In the decades since, his reputation as a jack-o'-lantern master has continued to grow. He's been asked to carve pumpkins for everything from the Minnesota Timberwolves to an exceptionally crafty wedding. He's had to turn down most requests, though: His carving schedule is packed.

LaRochelle's pumpkin prowess took him all the way to the set of "Good Morning America" a few years ago, when he was on the show for Halloween. He was flown to New York and put up in a chic hotel where he spent the entire night carving pumpkins on the bedside table. The next morning, he walked his creations across Times Square, appeared on national TV and flew right home. The whole thing took less than 24 hours, he said.

Twenty-four hours can be a whole lifespan for a carved pumpkin. LaRochelle's creations usually only last a day or two before starting to rot — though some can last up to a week or more if they're only shaved, not carved.

Out of this world: David LaRochelle looks to the skies for inspiration for this pumpkin Courtesy of David LaRochelle

"Some people say they come every year to see the pumpkins," LaRochelle said.

If you're feeling inspired, pick up a pumpkin and try it yourself — LaRochelle shared his carvings tips and tricks just in time for Halloween. And if you're any good at it, you may have just found a new career.

Carving Tips From Pumpkin Master David LaRochelle

 

 

1) Pick the right pumpkin

 

Give any pumpkin you pick a complete inspection, and check for any soft spots — you don't want a pumpkin that's already started to spoil.

In your hunt, avoid the ridges. Some pumpkins have deep ridges which are fun to look at, but a pain to carve. Go for a pumpkin with a smooth surface instead.

If you have a design in mind already, get the pumpkin to match: Do you need a tall skinny one? Short and round? Big as your head? Scout accordingly.

 

2) Hollow it out and thin the shell

 

Carving pumpkins requires some dirty work: You have to get all the seeds and strings out first. LaRochelle recommends using a special scraping tool: A spoon with a serrated edge. "It will clean out a pumpkin quicker and better than your spoon from your kitchen drawer."

Once the pumpkin guts are out, thinning the shell is key.

"Sometimes you'll get pumpkins with really thick shells and it can be difficult to carve any design all the way through that," LaRochelle said. "I scrape the pumpkin shell to anywhere between 3/4 and one inch thick."

 

3) Draw your design in advance and transfer it

 

There's nothing wrong with freehand pumpkin carving. If you're feeling inspired, have at it!

But if you're looking for a little more detail, LaRochelle recommends drawing your design out first on tracing paper.

You can then transfer the design using a pin to prick small holes through the paper into the pumpkin, following the lines. Take the tracing paper off, and the outline of your design should marked on the pumpkin.

 

4) Think outside the triangle face

 

"Don't be afraid to think creatively," LaRochelle said. "Usually we think of pumpkins as having a face design on them, and that's fine, but you can go beyond that with symbols. Think of bats, snakes, the moon, stars, or even scenes — like a graveyard or a spooky forest."

You can go even farther and leave Halloween behind altogether. "It could even be a rabbit or a puppy."

 

5) Consider shaving instead of carving

 

You can create interesting designs without cutting all the way through the pumpkin. Scraping away just enough of the outer shell to let the light glow through opens up new design possibilities.

The ideal tool for scraping the pumpkin shell are linoleum block cutters, LaRochelle said. The cutters have "v"-shaped blades and are available at art supply stores.

 

6) Be patient

 

LaRochelle estimates that his pumpkins take between two and four hours to carve. One elaborate design of a coiled snake took more than eight hours. "I'll never do that again," LaRochelle said.

 

7) Don't try to make your pumpkin perfect

 

It's easy to get hung up on the details, but LaRochelle said he encourages people not to worry about the perfect carving.

"The lopsidedness of a design can give it more character."

 

8) Light it up

 

"I use anywhere between 4 to 8 votive candles per pumpkin," LaRochelle said. "That really makes it glow nice and brightly."

An alternative to candles is Christmas lights, especially the ones that blink, he said.

(Anyone lighting candles this Halloween should remember to be safe and supervise children around open flames.)

We hope you're able to use these great Pumpkin Carving Tips from a real pro to create your own unique Poshinate Pumpkin this Halloween!

Our #1 Tip?

Don't cut the top of your pumpkin, instead cut the hole from the bottom.  It'll keep the pumpkins moisture in longer and help keep the pumpkin from caving in!

Still need a unique, fun and multi use Halloween costume for your little Poshinate Kiddo? 

Grab one of these adorable Kids Animal Hooded Sweatshirts @ POSHINATE.COM