How to Make Papel Picados

Papel picados ("perforated papers") are brightly colored flags hand-cut with intricate designs. Used on special occasions and holidays—Día de los Muertos, Christmas, weddings—papel picados have decorated Mexican streets and interiors for centuries. To make the flags, the Aztecs originally used a rough paper made of tree bark, but during the Spanish colonization of Latin America, papel de China (tissue paper) was introduced, and has been a favorite ever since.

Typically, the crafter includes common Mexican symbols and celebratory text in the design, then assembles the flags on a line of string. But as we've done here and on slide 4, you can also use the flags as a centerpiece or cake topper.

These Día de Gracias flags are perfect decorations for a Thanksgiving celebration.

Buy these papel picados for $25 each from BethNaomiLewis.com. Or find out how to make them yourself straight from Lewis on the next slide.

Papel Picado traditionally has a decorative border. You may choose to copy a traditional pattern, or design your border freehand with regular and/ or shaped scissors. Your paper should be a rectangle, with preferably 2 to 3" between the height and width. I typically use 8.5 x 11, or 9 x 12” papers.

1. Start by folding your desired paper (tissue, card-stock, construction, etc.) in half. This will help to create an identical image on either side of the paper. You may choose to cut 2 to 4 sheets at a time, or work on each one individually. If you are cutting more than one at a time, be sure to keep the edges in line with one another so that they don’t shift while you are cutting. Fold the top of the paper down (about ¾") to leave space for attaching string (optional).

2. Using shaped or regular scissors, create a border for your Papel Picado.

3. To add stars, or additional shapes to your design, use a shaped Paper Punch to embellish the border.

4. Unfold your paper.

5. Type, and print, or draw out “Fiesta.” Notice the text in the Fiesta design—they are all sitting inside the shape of a rectangle. In order for the text to stay attached to the rest of the paper, the lettering needs to attach to the top and bottom of the rectangular space. Be sure to print/draw your text on the same sized paper as your Papel Picado. Bold and thick lettering works best.

6. Place your text page on top, making sure all sides line up. You may want to secure the paper in place with tape, or paper clips.

7. Using an Xacto knife, cut out the negative/white space around your letters. You may need to press hard while you cut to insure that each layer of paper is been perforated.

8. After cutting out the text, you can place a small amount of glue across the top of the paper.

9. Lay string down along the top, and fold the paper over it. Let it dry for 5 to 10 minutes.

TIME 20 MIN COST $10

The easiest way to create multiple eye-catching flags on a budget is to take the "snowflake" approach, folding and cutting as you go along.

Materials

• Colored tissue paper, cut in quarters

• Scissors

• Craft string or twine

• Glue

• Decorative clothespins or tape (optional)

Directions

1. Fold 2 or 3 sheets of tissue paper into quarters.

2. Using scissors, make multiple cuts in the folded paper.

3. Unfold the sheets to reveal the design.

4. Lay out the finished flags in a horizontal line on a table or floor, leaving a small (up to 5") space between each flag. Measure a piece of craft string or twine along the tops of the flags, leaving extra string on either side to tie up the flags in your desired location.

5. Apply a small amount of glue ½" from the top of each flag; wrap around the string and press to adhere firmly. (Another option: Attach the flags to the string using decorative clothespins or colorful tape.)

Cut a smaller square of construction paper or card stock to fit your cupcake, then craft as desired, using paper punches and shaped craft scissors (find them online or in craft stores nationwide). When you're finished, glue it to a lollipop stick as shown.

Beth Lewis is a Philadelphia-based artist whose recent projects and exhibitions include teaching at Taller Puertorriqueño, a Latino cultural center in North Philadelphia, as well as an exhibition at the award-winning Please Touch Children's Museum. She also creates and sells custom papel picados. For more information, visit BethNaomiLewis.com