When did pumpkin carving go from scary to cute? That's what gourd artist Tom Nardone wants to know. Nardone is author of the "Extreme Pumpkins" trilogy, a how-to series that brings the menace back to Halloween decoration. His suggestions involve power tools, and selective rotting. What Nardone really wants is for us to think differently about the Halloween lantern. Forget safe and smiley-faced: Pumpkin carving needs a conceptual revolution.

Scroll through this gallery to learn how to make some jack-o'-lantern's guaranteed to make the neighbors take a second look.