THOMPSON, Connecticut — A Thompson welder has added flair and sparks to Halloween for the second year in a row.
Chris Chojnacki, a trained welder, has a side job during the Halloween season: he creates “forever jack-‘o-lanterns” from discarded and cleaned out propane tanks, beer kegs, oil drums, and even toolboxes. Chris’s business is called Phat Boi Builds, and his works are finding a following.
“I have people reaching out to me all over the place; California, Florida, Georgia, it’s been a wild ride with [the pumpkin artworks] getting posted on the internet and people checking out my social media platforms and seeing the different work," Chojnacki said.
From his small garage workshop in Thompson, Chojnacki has created dozens of metal pumpkin works with his plasma cutter torch and they are all for sale in his yard. He also frequents pumpkin festivals and craft fairs this time of year.
"People can take them home, get a couple of cans of spray paint and the kids can go wild and paint them,” Chojnacki said. “This is a good way to recycle a hazardous material.”
His latest work included cutting out a pumpkin smile from a beer keg.
“The spooky season brings a lot of people together, the kids are always thrilled to see different jack-o'-lanterns light up so as long as people continue to enjoy them, I am going to continue to make them, it’s been a lot of fun," Chojnacki said.
The “forever jack-o'-lanterns” range in price depending on size. A small work starts at around $25, and they go up to $60.
To learn more, click here.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
MORE NEWS:
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.