Dia de los Muertos Box Shrine $65

Kathy Cano Murillo

This is a class that is all about honoring the dead. Dia de los Muertos is a 3,000-year-old tradition that is rooted in the belief that our dearly departed return for one day to be with family and friends. To summon them back from the afterlife, we build a special ofrenda (altar) to welcome them. It is comprised of all their favorite things, as well as special scents and crafts to make them feel happy and welcome. You’ll learn how Dia de los Muertos has nothing to do with Halloween, and is a time of love and remembrance, as opposed to something scary or ghoulish.

We’ll talk about the history and all the components of making an ofrenda before we dive into the making the shrine. Even though the holiday isn’t until Nov. 1 st and 2 nd, this project will give you a jump-start on the season, or it can be showcased all year round. You can use this box as the focal point of your altar, or as the altar itself. Your box can be made for a loved one, or for a departed rock star, or to make a statement (“Viva la Mujer!”).

Special features: We will be embellishing a chunky 10x16-inch wood box. You can paint it, cover it with paper, draw on it, etc. For the inside you will be treated to exclusive muertos prints made by Patrick Murillo, known for his whimsical depictions of happy skeletons. Kathy will teach you how to paint a skull and how to make mini-Mexican paper flowers.

The box will be decorated with faux marigold flowers, candles, scrapbook paper, glitter, sequins, phrases, medals, clay skulls, crepe paper, strings of beads, gems and mucho, mucho mas.

Instructor will provide the following supplies:
Wood box
Wood feet to go on the bottom of the box, as well as a saw tooth picture hanger in case you want to hang it
Assorted Latino images
Your choice of skeleton images to use
Embellishments that include ribbons, scrap fabric, wire, charms, gems, sequins, beads, needle and thread, buttons, medal/milagros
Adhesives, hot glue, scissors, paints, glitters, etc
Printed instructions, resource list, as well as a fun fact sheet about the Dia de los Muertos.

Supply List:

Any desired personal objects, custom images you want to use in the shrine
Any desired embellishments: old jewelry pieces, letter beads, etc.
Bring basic tools such as scissors, ruler, pencil or any other specific items you like to use.

If you have any questions, just pop me an email: Kathy@craftychica.com Website info: www.CraftyChica.com

		This is an example of a Dia de los Muertos shrine - student's shrines will be unique to each person.