Sugar Guadalupe and Day of Dead Skulls

I have loved stocking these wonderful Day of the Dead themed sugar and chocolate moulds and judging by sales it seems my customers love them too. Now back in store at last is the Large Original Mexican Sugar Skull Mould plus a couple of newcomers.



First newcomer is the Medium Original Mexican Sugar Skull mould, previously I just kept the more whimsical Oaxacan skull mould which has two moulds front and back of skull, but thought these were rather nice and perhaps a little easier for sugar skull newbies to make as they only have one piece. Also joining my ever growing troupe of sugar and chocolate moulds is Frida, she came along as the result of a specific customer request, but has been flying off out of the shop, so will be kept as regular stock in the future.



But onto the real star of the show, once again, my favourite lady, the Virgin of Guadalupe stands out. A wonderful new addition to my range of Mexican sugar moulds, a beautifully detailed 3D Virgin of Guadalupe mould which comes in two pieces, front and back.





Here’s what my supplier has to say about the new Guadalupe mould, “Last year, when I was in Michoacan for Day of the Dead, I ran across a sugar skull vendor selling from a rickety wooden table under the arches of the town square. He had just brought in a new batch of his famous sugar Guadalupes and women were clamouring to buy them for their ofrendas! It would make a very special offering for their departed loved ones. They were iced with green or blue frosting for the Virgin's cape, golden yellow flames of the esplandor, and little gold "teacher stars" stuck into the icing of the cape. They were true works of folk art! We have tried to make a similar Guadalupe mould this year for your enjoyment... for those of you who can't go to Patzcuaro to get the real thing.”

Sugar skulls are a traditional folk art from Mexico used to celebrate Day of the Dead on November 1st and 2nd. For hundreds of years, mounds of colourful sugar skulls were sold by Indian vendors in the open air village markets of Mexico. During Day of the Dead, spirits are welcomed back to their homes with beautifully decorated altars covered with wild marigolds, candles, incense, special foods and sugar skulls being the name of the person being remembered. The Day of the Dead festival is in November and I plan to write more about how to make sugar skulls a little later in the year and have my own mini workshop with some of the neighbouring kids, so for those of you interested in trying out this wonderful activity, pop back around early October to find out more.





To finish off today's blog post, I thought I would include a few of the lovely photos sent in to me from an Australian customer who was designing decorations and displays for his home and cafe for last year's Day of the Dead festival. Thanks to Aaron x





This last photo is his cafe where some Day of the Dead festivities took place, note the lovely papel picado and loteria imagery he has used! I have some new Day ofthe Dead papel picado in which I have yet to list in my shop..so watch this space as I will blog about it soon. Gorgeous!

Our Lady, a bejewelled beauty!

Staying on the subject of my favourite saint, here is another gorgeous item that arrived in a recent goody box full of new saintly items. Although I'm not particularly crafty myself, I hope others that have an eye for these things can see the potential for this wonderful sequinned applique featuring a printed image of the Virgin of Guadalupe with her cloak and aura beautifully sequinned and beaded with a final flourish of pretty roses surrounding her. A lovely thing for arts and craft projects and well, just perfect for anything you would like to sparkle! It is huge, measuring approx 19cms / 7.5" inches length x 14cms / 5.5" inches width. More from my goody box of all things saintly another time.

A glittery globe of Guadalupe blessings!

Gorgeous, sparkley and saintly! Mexico's much loved patron Saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe has already gathered a cult following in America's southwest and southern california and now it seems that religious kitsch collectors in Europe are taking the lovely lady to their hearts. I am increasing my Virgin offerings this year, and one of my absolute favourites so far is this mini snow globe key fob depicting the scene of Our Lady's visitation to Juan Diego surrounded by gold coins and bright red hearts and of course a snow storm of glitter! Religious kitsch at its best.

Frida goes Shopping!

Imagine what fun it would be going shopping with Frida Kahlo, Mexico's own style icon and modern day trend-setter. Influences of her eclectic folk style and indeed her own iconic image can be found inspiring fashion, folk art and every-day household items. Frida's style and appeal is hot this season and as she can't accompany you personally, then why not do the next best thing and shop with her on your arm. Like Frida, these Mexican market bags are generously sized, colourful and simply gorgeous plus the best excuse a girl's going to get to leave those supermarket 'eco' bags where they belong ie in the broom cupboard. Art doesn't always mean practicality has to be sacrificed! If you don't want to shop with it, then hang it on the wall! I love this hot pink one, but check my shop for more colours and more Frida images. For those with the need for a more saintly approach to shopping, get your hands on your very own Virgin of Guadalupe market bag. Go on..you know you want one.