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

✍ Scribed by Kerry Arquette, Andrea Zocchi, Jerry Vigil

• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 147
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Celebrated on November 1 and 2, Day of the Dead honors the memory of departed souls, welcoming them back to celebrate the best of life. Families decorate grave sites with marigolds and set up stunning altars. Streets flutter with paper banners. Store windows glisten with sugar skulls. Skeleton figures grin rakishly from every corner. Day of the Dead Crafts is filled with dozens of terrific projects that allow you to participate in the excitement of the holiday while expressing your own creativity. You'll enjoy showcasing these unique, fun, and meaningful projects throughout the year.Inside you'll find step-by-step instructions, ideas, and inspiration for a wide range of projects, including:Calaveras, those comical and clever skeleton figures caught in the act of enjoying life's favorite activitiesMasks and skulls made from paper mache, gourds, and even sugarA meaningful and artistic ofrenda, or altar, to honor those who have passedNecklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more to wear day or nightPieces guaranteed to liven up any decorColorful, whimsical, and often dramatic, Day of the Dead art is steeped in rich history and symbolism. The projects in Day of the Dead Crafts honor the traditional, while taking advantage of today's materials for a fresh and exciting twist.

✦ Table of Contents

DAY OF THE DEAD CRAFTS: More Than 24 Projects that Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos......Page 5
Introduction......Page 7
Table of Contents......Page 8
The History of the Day of the Dead......Page 10
Ofrendas: Altars to Welcome Returning Souls......Page 15
What is Your Ofrenda Style?......Page 16
Prepare an Ofrenda......Page 18
Optional Extras......Page 20
Ofrenda Themes......Page 22
Create a Unique Memorial......Page 26
Calaveras: Skeletons With Personality......Page 31
Clay Calaveras Span the Spectrum......Page 32
Who Will Your Calavera Be?......Page 34
Clay Calavera......Page 36
Dressed Male Calavera......Page 40
Dressed Female Calavera......Page 42
Detailed Male Calavera......Page 46
Detailed Female Calavera......Page 48
Beyond Clay Calaveras......Page 50
Paper Calavera......Page 54
Decorative Nichos......Page 56
Collage a Nicho......Page 58
Masks and Skulls: Decorative Pieces to Display or Wear......Page 61
Open Your Mind to the Possibilities......Page 62
Paper Maché Mask......Page 64
Paint Your Mask or Skull......Page 68
Decorate Your Mask or Skull......Page 70
Wood Burn a Gourd Mask......Page 74
Photo-Collaged Mask......Page 78
Tasty Sugar Skulls......Page 80
Jewelry: Necklaces, Earrings & Bracelets......Page 83
From Sophisticated to Silly......Page 84
Heritage Memory Necklace......Page 86
Microscope Slide Earrings......Page 88
Marigold Beaded Necklace......Page 90
Three Original Charms......Page 94
Fabric Jewelry......Page 98
Marigold and Skull Pendant......Page 100
Uncultured Pearl Earrings......Page 104
Photo Transfer Necklace......Page 106
Home Décor: Stunning Decorations for Your Home......Page 109
Bring Your Home to Life......Page 110
Design a Papel Picado......Page 112
Papel Picado Lampshade......Page 114
Day of the Dead Printmaking......Page 116
Students' Interpretations......Page 118
Puzzle-Pieced Composition......Page 120
Wall-Mounted Candleholder......Page 122
Creating With Puff Paint......Page 126
Colorful Puff-Paint Creations......Page 128
Painting on Glass......Page 130
Building Skeleton Puppets......Page 132
Patterns......Page 134
Patterns for Candleholder......Page 136
Pattern for Puff Paint......Page 137
Doll and Puppet Patterns......Page 138
Lino Print Patterns......Page 139
Papel Picado Patterns......Page 140
Papel Picado Pattern, P 110......Page 142
Papel Picado Lampshade Pattern, P 112......Page 143
Resources......Page 144
Index......Page 146