Crafts
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Ojo de Dios (this craft is easy and inexpensive)
aka Gods Eyes are made by the Huichol natives
(pronounced Wee-chol-les) who live in the Sierra Madre Mountains in Jalisco, Mexico. They are intended to be a means
through which the eye of god will see the person who is asking for health and long life (usually for their children).
The cross of the ojo de dios is that of the four directions: earth, fire, water, and air (not the Christian symbolism).
"God's Eyes" were made so that the gods could watch over the praying people and protect them. They are now more often sold
in markets, reminding us that God looks with love on people everywhere.
Materials you will need: 2 wooden sticks (popsicle) and Variegated yarn (knitting worsted weight) 5 1/2 to 6 yards
Step 1: Cross the sticks in the middle and hold the sticks at right angles. Leaving a short tail held with the left
thumb, lash the yarn over the two places where the sticks cross, making an X. Be sure to pass the yarn over the tail. See
pictures below
Step 2: Wrap the yarn twice more in each arm of the X making the eye.
Step 3: Bring the yarn to the
front of stick, then pull the yarn under the stick and back over it.
Step 4. Then carry the yarn to the next stick
going over, under and back over it.
Step 5: Keep on wrapping the yarn on top, behind and then back over each stick (see
figure 4). As you continue making the rounds, always be sure that the yarn lies next to, but never on top of the yarn
in the previous round. After the first few rounds, you will see the woven pattern of the "eye" beginning to form.
Step
6: Keep weaving the "God's Eye" until you are about 1/2 inch from the ends of the sticks. Knot the yarn a few times around
the last stick (use two half hitches) and leave an approximately 6" tail. Tie the tail in a knot to itself, in back, to make
a hanging loop. A "God's Eye" this size can be use as a decoration, hung almost anywhere. At Christmas you can even hang them
on your tree.
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Other crafts we have done:
Personalized mouse pads big hit, bought plain pads, used permanent
markers to decorate
Potpourri sachets 12" square of fabric, add ~cup of potpourri, tie with ribbon
Wooden spoons with bouquet garni spices in cheese cloth and recipe for stock attached with nylon net and ribbon- A hit
for mothers day
Beadie Critters as Xmas ornaments- see cool links
Trees, snowmen, M& M guys, etc use gold & silver accents
Big hit but fad seems past
Snowballs with sparkles- use baby food jars, old plastic figurines, glitter
Stained glass jars for votive candles- use baby food jars and attach scraps of multicolored tissue paper on
outside with 1/3 diluted glue, place tea light inside
Orange, clove & ribbon pomanders- bulk cloves from Health food store, big hit, smells great
Foam material hand print ornaments, grandmas love getting these
Handprint wreath- Use 11x14 inch unbleached muslin fabric, make hand wreath (6 green handprints in a circle) and red berries
(thumb prints) with poster paints. Sew top to put on dowel
Tile Vase /pencil holder
Materials: glass vase or terra cotta pot (one with straight sides works best), washable
grout, painter's spatula, small ceramic tiles (or sea shells, bits of broken glass or pottery, buttons, beads, coins or anything
else you
want to glue into your vase).
Instructions: Using painter's spatula, cover the outside of your vase with a 3/8" to 1/2" thick layer of grout.
Stick
ceramic tiles or other items (see materials list) into the grout. Let dry.
