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

Kerry Arquette (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

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 maché, 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 décor

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.

About the Author

Kerry Arquette, fi rst published at age thirteen, has work featured in Seventeen, Good houskeeping, Ladies’ Home Journal and other popular magazines. She has authored more than a dozen books, including Daddy Promises and her award-winning children’s picture book What Did You Do Today? She is a cofounder of Cantata Books Inc.

Andrea Zocchi, cofounder of Cantata Books, Inc., was an art director for a large design and how-to book and magazine publisher. Multitalented and versatile, he has worked as a graphic designer, freelance photogrpher, director of a foreign studies program, sales manager, and farmhand.

Jerry Vigil, a self-taught Chicano artist, has carved bultos and retablos since 1998. Known in his hometown of Denver as the “Dean of the Dead,” he is a high-profi le art activist and instructor whose work has appeared in dozens of local and national exhibits and competitions as well as numerous publications. His signature calaveras are a distinctly vibrant blue.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470258292
• ISBN-13: 978-0470258293
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.4 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #420,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great source for crafters October 16, 2008

By C. Zavala

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am fully satisfied with purchasing this book. The book would be easiest to use for experienced crafters, but there are projects ranging in all skill levels. It is well-organized and contains both authentic and more modern Day of the Dead crafts. Some patterns are included in the back.
There are brilliant pictures that can be both instructional and wonderful for inspiration. The actual projects have step by step pictures and text, as well as extra information for fixing 'mistakes' or enhancing the overall creation. The best projects will take time and patience, but the outcome is well worth the work.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and inspiring! October 9, 2008

By New crafter

Format:Paperback

I'm excited about making the projects in this book! Because they are true
folk art, I'll be able to display them in my house all year round,not just in the fall. I'm working on my first calavera (skeleton guy) and
plan to make as many of the jewelry projects as I can and give them to
friends as gifts. I'm no great crafter. Why hasn't anybody published a book on Day of the Dead crafts before this? I can't imagine!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! October 9, 2008

By Sally Dee

Format:Paperback

I already own this book and its so cool I bought a copy for my sister. The projects in this book range from the traditional (typical skeleton calavera) to the unique (Day of the Dead Jewelry). The book is colorful, and interesting with easy to follow step-by-step photos of the projects. As an artist I find this book a terrific resource and very inspiring...love it!