Arts and Crafts

Polish Wycinanki Paper Cutouts

Immigrants to the United States brought this art called Wycinanki, pronounced vi-chee non-key, from their homelands. They would make these papercuts for home decorations. They would use their best cutting tool, sheep shears, to create these very detailed designs. They did not sell this art but used it to brighten their homes.

To make these paper cuttings they would fold paper and cut shapes from them. They would make their paper cuts very colorful and symmetrical. Their designs would often be about the countryside around them such as trees, flowers, roosters, birds, stars, and sometimes men, women, and religious symbols.

Mexican Amate Paper Cutouts

This art is made from paper that comes from the bark of the amate tree. They are used to protect crops, to rid a place of evil, to guard a home, or to bring health or illness as a punishment or to harm an adversary. Sometimes these pieces of art use human forms to represent spirits. They also reflect elements of nature that are important in the lives of the Otomi people. The figures are not realistic but are colorful and symbolic. These cutouts are also used as tokens of gratitude to the earth for a good crop.

Ukrainian Pysanky Decorated Eggs

Every year a few weeks before Easter arrives the women decorate eggs that are called pysanky. They are covered with bright colors and the signs on these beautiful pieces of art indicate traditional symbols that are passed down from generation to generation. Originally the eggs were decorated because they were symbols of the life-giving sun and before Christianity came, the Ukrainian people worshiped the sun. Every spring, when the sun became warmer and things started to grow, people decorated eggs to celebrate. After Christianity came, people continued to decorate eggs to celebrate Easter.

The pysanky is exchanged during Easter Morning to show signs of love to the person that receives the egg. The symbols are often appropriate to the person the eggs are made for: a chicken or bird, a fertility symbol, may be drawn on an egg that is given to a young married couple; a rake and wheat symbolize a good harvest for a farmer. A young woman might draw a flower on the egg for a symbol of love to her fiancée. Each egg is unique. The Ukrainian people never use the same exact design more than once. Other people in the Ukraine can usually identify the designs since it is a custom there.

To make this craft, people used a fresh egg, a candle, a lump of beeswax, a kistka, and dye.

Straw Design

In Byelorussia, generations and generations of folk artists have made crafts from golden rye straw. From it, dolls were made and fake birds and spiders were hung from the ceiling for luck. Boxes, baskets, and chests were some of the more useful things made from the straw. Straw designs originated in Zhlobin in the 1950s. They were sold in Byelorussia and all produced a unique and original design. The crafts were originally made by a couple, Mikhail Vasilyevich Degtyarenko and Vera Nikofimovna Degtyarenko. Eventually, the demand for the products grew so great that the few craftspeople couldn't produce enough to fill all the orders. People who were specialized in this category were quickly hired to help fill the demand. Using original folk motifs, senior artists developed designs, which were then used as patterns. The skill of straw designs was very difficult. It was taught in shop classes, and talented students were hired to work at the factory after school. The designs that were originally from Zholbin and made by a small group of workers are now treasured in museums across the world.

Cookie Stamps

In the old days, the outside of Swedish farm houses were brightened by colorful and decorative arts. During dark winters Swedish people often stayed in the comfort and warmth of their houses. They made furniture, tools, and decorations to entertain themselves. They made many other useful tools, including things to help cook. Among the cooking tools were cookie stamps, which had rich designs and beautifully carved bottoms. It was a custom for every family to have a set of cookie stamps. During holidays they were given away as favors, and at Christmas, piles of sweets were made with the stamps designs. A girl's fiancée would carve her a stamp as a token of his love. In some rural families, the stamps were passed down and are still being used today.