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<\/a><\/div>\nD\u00eda de los Muertos is almost here, and the Calaveras have arrived.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i> KIKKERLAND DAY OF THE DEAD CORKSCREW<\/a><\/span> CALAVERAS PLAYING CARD UNCUT SHEETS by Chris Ovdiyenko<\/a><\/span> THE RISE AND FALL SUGAR SKULL PILLOW<\/a><\/span> BLACK MILK \u2018DAY OF THE DEAD\u2019 LEGGINGS<\/a><\/span> LIMITED-EDITION JOSE CUERVO TRADICIONAL TEQUILA<\/a><\/span> ESPOLON TEQUILA<\/a><\/span> SKULL PAPER SNOWFLAKE<\/a><\/span> FOLKLORICO CARTAS DAY OF THE DEAD LOTERIA-STYLE FABRIC<\/a><\/span> SKULL CANDLE HOLDERS<\/a><\/span> WORLD MARKET MUERTOS PLATES (Set of 4)<\/a> GATO DE LOS MUERTOS T-SHIRT by Cayetano<\/a> \u2018LA CALAVERA\u2019 LOTERIA POSTER by John Picacio<\/a><\/span>
Calaveras (skulls) are icons featuring Muertos-inspired aesthetics and decoration. They\u2019re everywhere this time of year \u2014 as food, as packaging, in our media, on our<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>clothing, in our art, and in our stores. At its roots though, D\u00eda de los Muertos is a quintessentially Mexican religious phenomenon when the living not only remember the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>dead, but prepare offerings to them \u2014 including favorite foods, beverages, gifts, flower arrangements, and other ephemera.\u00a0<\/span>
<\/span>The great Octavio Paz best summed it up:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cTo the people of New York, Paris, or London, \u2018death\u2019 is a word that is never pronounced because it burns the lips. The Mexican, however, frequents it, jokes about it,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it; it is one of his favorite toys and most steadfast love.\u201d<\/span><\/i>
D\u00eda de los Muertos starts October 31st and ends November 2nd. It\u2019s one of my favorite times of the year, and to celebrate, presented here are thirteen Calaveras<\/span>, as the holidays approach.<\/span>
<\/span> CRANIA ANATOMICA FILIGRE by Josh Harker<\/a><\/span>
Witness the wonder of 3D printing. These remarkable plastic sculptures are available in three sizes. Even if your living room isn\u2019t rocking a\u00a0<\/span>D\u00eda de los Muertos altar, these are so gorgeously cool.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
Created by Ariel Rojo and Stephanie Suarez as part of Kikkerland\u2019s Mexico Design Challenge \u2014 I love the design here. Sangria-<\/span>making just became even more fun.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
His popular Calaveras playing cards sold out, but his shop still carries reasonably-priced 22\u2033 x 26.5\u2033 uncut sheets. Check out his Calaveras shirts and woodcut prints<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>too.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
Sugar skulls or \u2018calaveras de az\u00facar\u2019 are festive treats made from sugar and icing, offered as gifts to both the living and the dead during D\u00eda de los Muertos. Even if your<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>home decor isn\u2019t a holy shrine for \u2018The Nightmare Before Christmas\u2019, these pillows are pretty fabulous.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
Black Milk says they\u2019ve discontinued these, but they\u2019re still available via select vendors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
These fabulous thermochromic packaging designs feature skeletons that come to life in full-color when chilled to at least 42 degrees. This color reveal<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>designates that the tequila has reached optimal temperature. How great is that? The campaign originated in 2011, so these bottles may be hard to find, but some vendors may still<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>have remaining stock.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
And if you can\u2019t find those 2011 edition bottles of Cuervo \u2014 check out another tequila\u2019s terrific packaging design. Inspired by legendary artist Jose Guadalupe Posada, Steven Noble\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>illustrated labels for Espolon pay tribute to \u201cthe Mexican artists who inspired the world with true portrayals of the country\u2019s rich history and complex everyday life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
Sharpen your scissors \u2014 the award for \u201cCoolest Muertos Party Decoration for Low Budgets\u201d goes to Crafty Lady Abby with this ingenious tutorial for how to make your<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>very own Skull Paper Snowflake.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
You won\u2019t find this unique cotton fabric anywhere other than The Crafty Tree. Now you know what to gift that Loteria-playing, stamp collector in your life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
Made by a family near San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, these clay candle-holder sculptures are ready for custom decoration. 3\u2033 tall x 3\u2033 wide\u201d x 3-1\/2\u2033 deep. (Candle not<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>included.)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
I would eat off these year-round, not just for D\u00eda de los Muertos and Halloween.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
South Texas artist Cayetano \u2018Cat\u2019 Garza is an Ignatz Award winner for his Year of the Rat comics work. I love his \u2018Gato de los Muertos\u2019 icon and if your wardrobe closet is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>full, you can rock his Gato as an iPhone case, tote bag, throw pillow, shower curtain or art print.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
Online ordering for this closes Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014 at 8pm CST<\/b>. Get these while you can, folks. \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/span>No more online orders for them from my shop after that date.<\/i><\/span>
<\/span>\u2018La Calavera\u2019 features art from my Loteria series \u2014 an 11\u2033 x 18\u2033 signed, limited-run poster on heavy cardstock. My \u2018La<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/a><\/span>Luna\u2019 and \u2018El Corazon\u2019 posters are also available online until this Wednesday.<\/a> Stock up while you can!<\/span><\/p>\n