How to Make a Joe, the Plumber Halloween Costume

Who is Joe, the Plumber? Joe, the Plumber is the most talked about plumber in the nation after the October 15^th debates. Joe asked Senator Obama about his tax policy on small business. He was interested in starting a small plumbing business. Obama answered that if he made under $250,000, or less, his new tax plan wouldn't hurt him, but if he earned more, it was okay, because he (Obama) wanted to spread the wealth around. This exchange was featured on the news, and bingo, Senator John McCain picked up on this "spread the wealth" around statement, and brought up Joe, the plumber, in the national debates. Joe, whose full name is Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher is now all over the news, and the Internet, and was featured on Mike Huckabee's new talk show. Joe, the Plumber is now the name for everyman, or every small business owner, anyway.

Now, that you know who Joe, the Plumber is if you haven't heard about him. Wouldn't you want to be everyman, or everywoman for Halloween? I know I do, and I'm not a Joe, but hey, I could be a Josephine, so I will be Jo, the Plumber.

So, if you want an inexpensive Jo, or Joe, the Plumber outfit for Halloween, this is how you do it.

1. You will need a name for your business; let's say ... Campaign Plumbing.

2. You will need a hat. Find any old baseball hat, and buy a package of Avery Computer labels, Number 5260, and print out Campaign Plumbing on the label. The labels will stick to any surface. Remove the paper, and place the label over the original logo on your cap.

3. Next you will need a pair of old blue jeans, socks, and tennis shoes, or work boots. I'm sure that you already have those items in your closet.

4. Next you will need a plain white T-Shirt. If you don't have an old white plain T-Shirt in your closet, you may find an inexpensive one at a Thrift Store, or Michael's Craft Store. It's important to use white, or cream so the transfer will show up.

5. Next, you will need to make a couple of transfers for your shirt. You will need to purchase Avery Ink Jet T-Shirt Transfer Papers- 8 ½" x 11" Number 3271 from Wal-Mart, or a computer store, like Staples. Buy the transfer paper for light colored cotton/polyester blend fabrics.

6. Next you will have to design the transfers. Remember your name is Joe, or for a lady Jo, and you work for Campaign Plumbing.

7. The upper left hand shoulder is where the small front transfer goes. It is your name badge, and I designed it on it Microsoft Publisher 2007, or you may use Microsoft Word 2007 if you like. It looks like the picture in this article of the front transfer. Remember you will need to set your printer preferences so it will print out as a mirror image. For this article, I used an illustration from www.istockphoto.com, because it's approved by Associated Content. For my own costume, I found the clip art of the lady plumber on-line at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx, or you can use your Microsoft clip art disk for Microsoft Office 2000 if you have any older MS Word version. These clips are royalty free, and you may use them as long as you own a Microsoft Office product. Of course, you are a man, or boy, you can download a picture of a male plumber.

8. Next, you will need to design the back transfer using Microsoft Publisher, or MS Word. It will look like the picture in this article of the back transfer. It should also print out as a mirror image.

9. To iron on the transfer onto the white T-Shirt, follow the directions listed in your Avery Light T-Shirt Transfer Instructions. Remember to set your printer for mirror image, and test print.

10. To complete your outfit, you will need tools to make you look like a plumber. How about carrying that toilet plunger that you have lying around to unstop that toilet? Or maybe borrowing a tool belt, and wrenches from your father?

11. Get dressed, attach your tool belt, put your hat on at a slant, and if female your hair up in a pony tail, and smudge a little grease (like in grease paint, i.e. mascara) on your face, and you're ready to go to that Halloween party. Oh, and don't iron on the transfer 20 minutes before going out to that party, as the ink will need some time to dry!!! And if anyone asks who you are, reply Joe, or Jo, the Plumber!