Tanya Memme's DIY Giant Halloween Lawn Spider

Directions

1. Take the 12-inch Styrofoam ball for the abdomen and the 10-inch one for the head. Carve a small flat spot on each where they will join, and save the shaved pieces to make fangs later. For extra stability, insert a pencil between the balls as a bridge. Apply expanding foam glue to both flat areas and press the balls together. Let dry completely.
2. Position eight 90-degree PVC elbow fittings along the bottom of the body, four on each side, to support the spider's weight. Space them evenly for good balance. Push the fittings into the Styrofoam and secure with small dabs of expanding foam glue—remember it expands.
3. Cut ½-inch PVC pipe into 16 segments of 16 inches each and 8 segments of 8 inches each. To build one leg, attach an 8-inch pipe to a 90-degree elbow, then insert a 16-inch pipe into the other end. Add a 45-degree elbow to that pipe, then another 16-inch pipe. Optionally cap the end with an end cap fitting for looks. Gluing the joints is optional—the fit is snug enough to allow adjustments and easier storage.
4. Because spray paint can damage Styrofoam, use a brush to apply black acrylic paint to the spider's body. Let it dry fully. Then spray-paint the legs with a high-gloss black paint designed for plastic to prevent scratching and flaking. Allow the legs to dry completely.
5. Insert the top of each leg into the 90-degree elbow fittings you placed on the abdomen. Gluing is optional.
6. Create hairs by sticking black pipe cleaners randomly into the abdomen and head. Bend them for a hairy look. For the eyes, glue red craft crystal jewels to the head using a low-temperature hot glue gun to avoid melting the Styrofoam. Shape the discarded foam pieces into fangs, insert them into the head, and secure with cool glue.