Day of the Dead crafts : more than 24 projects that celebrate Día de los Muertos

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 activities Masks and skulls made from paper mache, gourds, and even sugar A meaningful and artistic ofrenda, or altar, to honor those who have passed Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more to wear day or night Pieces guaranteed to liven up any decor Colorful, 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. 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 A special celebration of Mexican culture presents detailed instructions for creating more than two dozen craft projects to honor the popular Mexican holiday Di a de los Muertos, with a wide range of masks, altars, jewelry, albums, sugar skulls, skeletons, cards, and more. A special celebration of Mexican culture presents detailed instructions for creating more than two dozen craft projects to honor the popular Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, with a wide range of masks, altars, jewelry, albums, sugar skulls, skeletons, cards, and more Presents instructions on how to complete over two dozen craft projects for the Mexican holiday Di