how to make a jack in the box head

my newest completed endeavor, made a jack head for my friend's business presentation. turned out to me a more extensive project than i expected, but im very happy with the results! here are the steps i took...

WHAT I USED:
1 blow up beach ball of desired head size (the 99cent store one worked great!)
newspaper
tissue paper (white)
flour
tacky glue
water
paintbrushes
netting
paint (i used house paint, worked great! you will need white, black, red, yellow & blue)
cardstock
tape
superglue

OPTIONAL:
wires 1(8 & 26 gauge)
floral tape



MY STEPS:
1. mix about 1 part tacky glue, 3 parts flour with 10 parts water for the paper mache mixture, this can be adjusted according to preference, i was not precise with the measurements at all. people usually use elmers glue, but i had tacky glue handy.
2. tear the newspaper into approximately 2" x 6" and 4" x 4" rectangles, saturate sheets one by one and apply to beach ball, leaving the area around the plug open. let dry completly
3. optional step: wire frame. quite complicated to explain, and i realized it could have been skipped. the wires added strength and support to the overall structure, but the paper mache itself would have held up without it. message me if you would like to know the steps i took to make the wire frame within the paper mache
4. paper mache the ball once more with newspaper, let dry. paper mache lastly with the white tissue paper & a tacky glue + water mixture only, let dry. this last step is to cover the newspaper print so its easier to paint, and also smoothes out any edges.
5. deflate beach ball and remove from paper mache. cut a circle into the paper mache on the bottom so your head can fit comfortably inside
6. paint entire paper mache with the white paint, let dry completly

now we are ready for the fun parts!

HAT:
1. use the cardstock to make a cone about 3/4 height of the head, secure with tape so theres no edges. use the cardstock again to create the rim of the hat. the shapes of these pieces should resemble soemthing like the illustration. adjust accordingly, and tape to secure.
2. i paper mached the whole hat with white tissue paper just so its a better painting surface, and also to cover up the tape & edges
3. paint completely with yellow paint, let dry. apply a second layer if desired
4. poke a tiny hole about 1" above the bottom rim of the hat. repeat at the opposite side of the hat. (1)
5. place the hat on the head at desired spot, and poke holes accordingly through the paper mache, directly under where the holes were on the hat (2). poke another hole about 1/2" in from the ones we have on the jack head already (3).
6. string the 26g wire through the hat, and into the 2 holes on the head. refer to diagram for clarity!
7. from the inside of the head, pull the two ends of the wire taut and twist together. cut off any excess and bend into itself, so you dont poke yourself in the head

NOSE:
1. use the cardstock to make a skinny cone about 1/2 the length of the head. cut the pointy tip off, since jack's nose is blunt not pointy. cover the hole with tape
2. attach 3 extra cardstock tabs (about 1/2" width ) to the big end of the cone acount the edge, leaving about 1/2" poking out, secure with tape
3. paint entire nose with black paint, let dry completly
4. place the nose at the desired spot on the jack head (about the center of the face) and mark the location of the 3 tabs. use an exacto knife and cut slits into the head, exactly the size of your tabs.
5. insert the tabs into the jack head, and line with glue to secure. let dry

EYES & MOUTH:

1. sketch out approximately the general outline of where the eyes & mouth will be
2. using an exacto knife, cut out the general shape of it, but slightly smaller (so your cutout will be a smaller version of actual eyes & mouth)
3. take the netting, put it over the eyes & mouth outline & trace slightly to transfer the shape onto the netting, & cut out the shapes with scissors
4. place the netting over the eyes & mouth holes, and secure with super glue (only a tiny dab in a couple of spots would work) let dry
5. paint within the outlines of the eyes & mouth with desired color, over the netting. let dry

now you have a jack in the head that you can actually breath in! yipee!