“Artesanía” is a Mexican word used to describe handcrafted objects which serve a functional purpose and purely decorative folk art. 

The two disciplines are closely intertwined and highly respected in Mexican culture. Both have a similar history, are made by highly trained craftspeople, and form a valued part of the country’s national identity. Every region – and every town within that region – specialises in certain disciplines or materials: Taxco for silver, Santa Clara del Cobre for copper, whilst world–famous Talavera Pottery is produced in Puebla. Even Christmas has its own Mexican heartland in Tlalpujahua. Informally known as the “town of eternal Christmas”, Tlalpujahua produces over 40 million blown glass Christmas ornaments every year. 

The Mexican Bird Stencil design is inspired specifically by the textiles of the Otomi region and people. Otomi textiles are embroidered works. The artist draws out shapes, usually of local flora and fauna, with different tribes represented through different animals, shapes or symbols and cut them from brightly coloured fabrics. These shapes are then stitched onto a plain muslin fabric in a rainbow assortment of colours using coloured satin threads. So, for an authentically look, we recommend choosing a bright and playful palette of your favourite Chalk Paint™ colours to create a joyful fiesta of colour when you use the Mexican Bird Stencil. 

In the video above, the Chalk Paint™ elves have demonstrated how to pick out different elements of the design using different colours to create a lively effect. Chalk Paint™ in Old White is the perfect balanced white to use as a base, as it suggests the neither–warm nor–cool off-white of muslin. We used a delicious selection of warm and cool toned Chalk Paint™ colours to bounce off one another. In order of appearance : English Yellow, Lem Lem, Emperor’s Silk, Svenska Blue, Rodmell and Amsterdam Green.   

WHAT PAINTBRUSH SHOULD YOU USE?

Rather than a roller, we’ve used a stencil brush as this makes it easier to pick out different aspects of the design in different colours. If you prefer to use a roller when stencilling, click here. As always with stencilling, whatever your tool, the golden rule is not to overload the brush or roller! This will prevent paint from “splodging” out of the edges and compromising your design. It’ll also keep the rest of the stencil cleaner for longer which will help prevent smudging. When you’re repeating a stencil over furniture or walls, do occasionally wipe off excess amounts of paints to avoid smudging as you move the stencil around. 

DON’T FORGET TO SEAL YOUR CHALK PAINT™

Finally, apply Clear Chalk Paint™ Wax or Chalk Paint™ Lacquer to finish and protect.