In Mexico, brightly colored ornaments made of tin are found in many stores and markets. Tinsmithing was introduced to the Central American Indians by the Spanish, and many things are still being made today.

You can make your own ornaments out of tin by using old disposable aluminum baking pans. Use the patterns below, which can be used on Christmas trees as well as being hung in windows at other times of year, or make your own.

Tin ornaments

Materials needed:

Disposable aluminum baking pans
Permanent markers (washable markers may not work)
Pencil
Pen
Scissors
Paper punch
Yarn or ribbon

Make photocopies of the patterns below so each participant has one to work with.

Cut pieces of baking pans so that each participant has a piece large enough for the pattern they have chosen.

Tape the pattern to the aluminum, and draw on top of the pattern with a pencil. Press hard, and trace all the lines.

Next, remove the pattern and go over the markings with a ballpoint pen. You want all the lines and dots to be indented.

Cut out the ornament on the outside lines.

Flip the ornament over, and use permanent marker to color the ornament.

Punch a hole in the top of the ornament, and string yarn or ribbon through for hanging.

Trees of Life have been made in Mexico by Indians since the Spanish explorers arrived in Mexico. Lit on religious holidays, the candlesticks traditionally represented biblical stories such as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Now they are decorated with flowers, stars, birds, animals, people, etc. have been made in Mexico by Indians since the Spanish explorers arrived in Mexico. Lit on religious holidays, the candlesticks traditionally represented biblical stories such as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Now they are decorated with flowers, stars, birds, animals, people, etc.

Tree of Life candlestick

Materials needed:

Self-hardening clay
Tempera or acrylic paint (unless the clay is already colored)
Newspaper
Masking tape
Plastic wrap
Paper towels
Ruler
Water
Toothpicks or wire
Birthday cake candles

Form a tree trunk by rolling a lump of clay into a sausage shape about 4 inches long.

Form a base by placing a ball of clay on the plastic wrap, and flattening it (not to thin.) Moisten the end of the trunk and the base and connect the two pieces.

For each branch, roll a clay sausage about 5 inches long and ½ inch thick. Connect to base (don't forget to moisten) then bend the branches to form half circles on either side of the trunk.

Roll another lump of clay into a ball, use a toothpick to form a hole to fit the candle into, and attach to the top of the candlestick.

With wet fingers, smooth out the whole Tree of Life. Shape birds, flowers, and small decorations and attach them to the candlestick. When dry, paint in bright colors.

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