

Ever since I saw my first calaveras at a local Mexican restaurant, I've been intrigued by Dia de los Muertos, or "Day of the Dead." Celebrated throughout Mexico at the beginning of November, the holiday takes a festive approach to death. Families remember loved ones who have passed away through personalized altars, parties, and picnics. The belief is that, as long as a person is remembered, they never truly die. The calaveras (decorated skeletons) that adorn the holiday have a humorous look, not spooky like Halloween skeletons. They're more like caricatures of the person, featuring clothes and hobbies that the person enjoyed. I think it's a neat way to celebrate the lives of those lost.
Since I've been wanting to try making Dia de los Muertos crafts using polymer clay, I was a little surprised to find that there's a book featuring both things... and it's been out more than a year! Day of the Dead Crafts
by Kerry Arquette, Andrea Zocchi & Jerry Vigil, is a fun and crafty introduction to the imagery of this holiday.
The Book
The book starts with a history of the
Dia de los Muertos holiday, which dates back to the Aztec Indians and evolved over time. The intro also talks about the meaning behind the various symbols. I like the personal emphasis: it's folk art, so it's okay for it to be raw. There is no right or wrong ways to create these pieces.
The book includes tons of examples of different styles of work. I love that these examples are great for sparking new ideas. However, the photos are mostly from a Hollywood festival. I would like to see more photos from Mexico to get a more authentic sense of the holiday.
The Projects
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