Dios de Muertos

will soon be here. I made these for a Day of the Dead Swap sponsored by Linda in the Art Unraveled yahoo group. The basic technique for the bone finish polymer clay skulls is one I learned from Barbara McGuire in her class at Art Unraveled 07. Mix equal parts ecru and white clay. Shape the skulls. Use a burnisher to create eyes and nose. Outline the teeth with an awl then press where the lips would be and the teeth will seem to pop to the surface in a skeletan grin. Create a bead hole with the awl. Bake. Cool. Dry brush with burnt umber acrylic paint. The wet sand with a #400. Add beads on an eye pin and form a loop at the top to attach a chain with a bead marigold. The southwest celebration coincides with All Saints Day and honors the memories of dead loved ones with dances, altars, and favorite foods of the departed loved ones. - Cynthia