Day of the Dead Crafts: More than 24 Projects that Celebrate Dia de los Muertos

147 Pages·2008·35.02 MB·English

by  Kerry Arquette

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CCeelebrated on November 1 and 2, Day of the Dead honors the memory of departed souls, welcoming E
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ssttuunning altars. Streets fl utter with paper banners. Store windows glisten with sugar skulls. Skeleton , Z
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fifi ggures grin rakishly from every corner. Day of the Dead Crafts is fi lled with dozens of terrifi c projects C
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YYoou’ll enjoy showcasing these unique, fun, and meaningful projects throughout the year. &

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Inside you’ll fi nd step-by-step instructions, ideas, and inspiration for a wide G
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range of projects, including:
more than 24 projects that celebrate dia de los muertos
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Calaveras, those comical and clever skeleton fi gures caught in the act of enjoying
life’s favorite activities
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Masks and skulls made from paper maché, gourds, and even sugar
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A meaningful and artistic ofrenda, or altar, to honor those who have passed
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Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more to wear day or night
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Pieces guaranteed to liven up any décor
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Colorful, whimsical, and often dramatic, Day of the Dead art is steeped in
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rich history and symbolism. Ā e projects in Day of the Dead Crafts honor ee

the traditional, while taking advantage of today’s materials for a fresh and DD
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$19.99 USA/ $21.99 CAN
Cover Design & Photographs:
Andrea Zocchi
Kerry Arquette, Andrea Zocchi & Jerry Vigil
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Day of the Dead Crafts
more than 24 projects that celebrate día de los muertos
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more than 24 projects that celebrate día de los muertos
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Senior Acquisitions Editor
Roxane Cerda
Executive Editor
Kerry Arquette
Day of the Dead Crafts
Editor
Darlene D’Agostino
Art Direction & Design
Andrea Zocchi
Copy Editor
Dena Twinem more than 24 projects that celebrate día de los muertos
Unless noted all photographs are © 2008 by Andrea Zocchi
Day of the Dead Crafts:
More than 24 Projects that Celebrate Día de los Muertos
Copyright © 2008 by Cantata Books, Inc. (www.cantatabooks.com)
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
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Jerry Vigil, Kerry Arquette & Andrea Zocchi
www.cantatabooks.com
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4 Day of the Dead Crafts
Introduction
Th ere is nothing pretentious about folk art, and that’s exactly where its charm
lies. Unlike fi ne art, the folk variety is usually created by untrained artists and
crafters. Whether their artwork is simplistic or more complex, it refl ects the
culture, customs, and beliefs of the society in which they live and with which
they identify. Folk art is the everyman’s view of life—his own and the lives of
those around him. Without being impacted by rules imposed upon artists who
are classically trained, the folk artist simply “makes it the way he sees it.” While
folk art may be raw, it is also honest.
Whether you have crafted before or are new to the hobby, you’ll fi nd creating Day
of the Dead folk art an exciting and fulfi lling experience. Just as there are no man-
dates as to how the Day of the Dead must be observed, there are no “musts” when
it comes to the artwork that is associated with the holiday. As you turn the pages
of this book, you’ll discover a wide variety of visions and styles. In fact, no two
artists make identical pieces. Your Day of the Dead artwork will be just as unique.
Within this book you’ll fi nd inspiration in work created by some of the best-loved
Day of the Dead artists in the country. Techniques for dozens of projects are
stepped out with illustrative photos, making it easy for you to re-create elements.
You’ll fi nd interesting sidebars that will deepen your understanding of the Day of
the Dead, its history and traditions.
Folk art can be utilitarian. It can be decorative. In some cases, it is both. Day
of the Dead art often crosses the line. Calaveras, masks, decorative skulls,
jewelry, and other traditional elements easily travel from a holiday altar to a
display case or living room wall. We hope you will fi nd ways to display and enjoy
your creations year-round.
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Introduction 5
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Table of Contents
5 Introduction
8 Ā e History of the Day of the Dead
12 Ofrendas: Altars to Welcome Returning Souls
14 What is Your Ofrenda Style?
16 Prepare an Ofrenda
18 Optional Extras
20 Ofrenda Ā emes
24 Create a Unique Memorial
28 Calaveras: Skeletons With Personality
30 Clay Calaveras Span the Spectrum
32 Who Will Your Calavera Be?
34 Clay Calavera
38 Dressed Male Calavera
40 Dressed Female Calavera
44 Detailed Male Calavera
46 Detailed Female Calavera
48 Beyond Clay Calaveras
52 Paper Calavera
54 Decorative Nichos
56 Collage a Nicho
58 Masks and Skulls: Decorative Pieces to Display or Wear
60 Open Your Mind to the Possibilities
62 Paper Maché Mask
66 Paint Your Mask or Skull
68 Decorate Your Mask or Skull
72 Wood Burn a Gourd Mask
76 Photo-Collaged Mask
78 Tasty Sugar Skulls
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6 Day of the Dead Crafts
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80 Jewelry: Necklaces, Earrings & Bracelets
82 From Sophisticated to Silly
84 Heritage Memory Necklace
86 Microscope Slide Earrings
88 Marigold Beaded Necklace
92 Ā ree Original Charms
96 Fabric Jewelry
98 Marigold and Skull Pendant
102 Uncultured Pearl Earrings
104 Photo Transfer Necklace
106 Home Décor: Stunning Decorations for Your Home
108 Bring Your Home to Life
110 Design a Papel Picado
112 Papel Picado Lampshade
114 Day of the Dead Printmaking
116 Students’ Interpretations
118 Puzzle-Pieced Composition
120 Wall-Mounted Candleholder
124 Creating With Puff Paint
126 Colorful Puff -Paint Creations
128 Painting on Glass
130 Building Skeleton Puppets
132 Patterns
142 Resources
144 Index
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Table of Contents 7
W
The History of
the Day of the Dead
More than 3,000 years ago, the Aztec Indians, who dwelled in Mexico, spent four months each year
honoring and tending to their dead with ceremonies and rituals. Ā e Spanish conquistadors who
arrived in Mexico in the 16th century tried to eradicate the established traditions associated with the
holiday, replacing them with practices associated with and condoned by the Roman Catholic Church.
Rather than turn their backs on their history, the indigenous people chose to meld ancient traditions
with those of the church.
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Aztec dancers await their chance to perform at the
Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
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8 Day of the Dead Crafts