MODULE 4

Folk Arts in the Home: New Mexican Tinwork

1. Overview of the ModuleTo understand the development of tinwork in New Mexico, its materials and techniques and to learn how to create a frame using aluminum tooling foil.

2. Prerequisite knowledge and assumptions encompassed by the ModuleThere are no prerequisites.

3. Standards covered by the ModuleSocial Studies Standards Grades K – 4:

History Strand:o K-4 Benchmark I-A—New Mexicoo K-4 Benchmark I-B—United Stateso K-4 Benchmark I-C—Worldo K-4 Benchmark I-D—Skills

Geography Strand:o K-4 Benchmark II-Co K-4 Benchmark II-E

Civics and Government Strand:o K-4 Benchmark III-B

Social Studies Standards Grades 5 – 8: History Strand:

o 5-8 Benchmark 1-A. New Mexicoo 5-8 Benchmark 1-B. United Stateso 5-8 Benchmark 1-C. Worldo 5-8 Benchmark 1-D. Skills

Civics and Government Strand:o 5-8 Benchmark 3-B

Economics Strand:o 5-8 Benchmark 4-Ao 5-8 Benchmark 4-Bo 5-8 Benchmark 4-C

Visual Arts Standards Grades K-5 benchmark 1A Grades K-5 benchmark 1B K -5 Benchmark 1C K- 4 Benchmark 2A K- 4 Benchmark 3B K- 4 Benchmark 4A K- 4 Benchmark 4B

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K- 4 Benchmark 5A K-4 Benchmark 5B K-4 Benchmark 6A K-4 Benchmark 7A

4. Materials needed for this ModuleYou will need the following materials to teach this module:

Materials Where to Purchase/Find MaterialsNasco White all Media Drawing Paper Nasco.com/arts & crafts item # 9728251

ArtEmboss Foil Bulk Packs12- 9 ¼ ”x12” sheets

Nasco.com/arts & crafts item # 9727248

Chipboard Pkg of 6 , 8 ½ ” x 11” 2.2mm Nasco.com/arts & crafts item # 9727898Creative Hands SmArt Foam Pkg of 12,

12”x18”Nasco.com/arts & crafts item # 9729072

Sharpie Fine Point Markers set of 12 Nasco.com/arts & crafts item # 9718909Elmer’s Washable Purple Glue Stick Nasco.com/arts & crafts item # 9732677

Masking Tape 60-yd. ½” Rolls Nasco.com/arts & crafts item # 9722434Natural # 2 Pencils Nasco.com/arts & crafts item # 9730140

Wescott 5” Scissors blunt Nasco.com/arts & crafts item # 9735992Magazines for images Recycled

Decorative Papers RecycledAssorted Rhinestones Nasco.com/arts & crafts item # 9728034

Assorted ribbon Hobby Lobby

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Tinwork in New Mexico: Introduction Lesson # 1

Lesson Overview Students will understand the development of the tinwork tradition in New Mexico as it relates to the history of the Southwest. They will learn about the materials and design concepts used to create tin frames and other tinwork items and some of the methods employed in tin frame construction.

Teaching Summary

Getting started - Gather the students for a show and tell discussion.

Activity #1:-Show and discuss images of the materials, tools and designs that are used in New Mexico tinwork traditions.

Activity #2: Design a tin frame on a piece of paper.

Wrap-up – Questions and answers

Lesson Objectives The students will know and be able to: understand the tradition of Tinwork among the Hispanic people of New Mexico, its origin, tradition, materials and design.

Teaching GuideMaterials, Resources and Preparation

For the Students● 1 sheet of drawing paper and a pencil

For the Teacher● Read New Mexican Tinwork ● Images of materials, tools and designs ● Prepare paper and pencils.

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Getting started: Ask the students the following questionsWhat is a Frame? What are frames made of?

Activity #1 Instructions:1. Show students the images of different of kinds of tinwork. Discuss their

shapes and forms, and what they are used for. 2. Show students pictures of Tin Frames. 3. Engage the students in a study of different types of design motifs used in

tinwork. Observe the shapes, designs and patterns.

Activity #2 Instructions: 1. Give each student a sheet of drawing paper and a pencil. Have each one

design their own tin frame. Have them come up with their own shapes and designs to use.

Wrap – Share the drawings with the students.

Assessment Questions● Do their images look like the pictures of the frames? ● Have they incorporated traditional designs and patterns or have they made their own?

Standards AddressedSee Module 4 cover page.

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Tinwork in New Mexico: Design and Motif Lesson # 2

Lesson Overview Working with aluminum tooling foil sheets, students will learn about and

create traditional motif designs to incorporate into their final projects.

Getting started – Distribute materials and display images.

Activity #1:-Practice making different design, motifs, and textures with the aluminum

tooling foil sheetsActivity #2:

Look through magazines for images that the students will use in their frames. Wrap-up –

Questions and answersLesson Objectives

Students will learn about the materials, design and some of the methods employed in tinwork. Students will find different solutions in the process of designing and creating various and motifs forms with aluminum tooling foil, using texture, line and form.

Teaching GuideMaterials, Resources and Preparation

For the Students● Images of frames and design motifs used on frames.● Pre-cut aluminum sheets and foam sheets.● Pencils, scissors, glue sticks, markers, ● magazines

For the Teacher● Lesson plan and background information● Images of frames and design motifs used on frames ● Samples of work

Getting started: Activity #1 Instructions:

1. Show students the images of the design motifs and distribute materials.

2. Instruct the students about working with foil. The edges are very sharp. Cut carefully and slowly. When the foil wrinkles, it can be pressed down on a flat surface and rolled over with the side of the pencil to smooth it out. (see below) Remind the students not to be wasteful with the foil. All

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foil scraps can be used to make attachments and final remnants can be recycled in the aluminum recycle bin.

3. When decorating or etching the foil, always place the foil on a piece of foam. This gives a soft surface for the metal to indent into which produces a much better image. Use the pencil to draw/press designs and textures into the aluminum to decorate (etch) it.

4. Show the students how to make the design elements, motifs and textures. (see bellow)

5. Have each student create at least two motifs (lunettes, circles, ovals, diamonds, scallops, flowers) and then design a motif of their own. This can be any shape they want.

6. Some traditional motif elements are:

Lunettes - half moon shape. Cut a circle out of the foil, and fold in half. Unfold the circle and then cut along the fold to make two half circles. Place the lunette on a piece of foam and decorate with lines and textures.

Circles- cut a circle from the foil. Place the circle on a piece of foam and decorate the circle with textures and designs.

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Ovals- cut an oval shape from the foil. Place the oval on a piece of foam and decorate the oval with textures and designs.

Diamonds, rectangles, squares- cut a shape from the foil. Place the shape on a piece of foam and decorate with textures and designs.

Scallops – having a fluted fan shape, like a shell with a radiating fluted pattern. Cut a half circle from the foil as you would for a lunette. Place the half circle on a piece of foam and beginning at the center of the straight edge, etch/draw lines in a fan shape pattern from that center point to the rounded edge (like cutting a pie). Now trim the round edges of the scallop. You can trim into spikes or rounded.

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Flowers- Cut foil into a flower shape or cut petals and a circle. Decorate the parts of the flower first and then use the glue stick to glue the petals to the circle. Be sure to let glue dry before moving the flowers.

Free form- Students may also create shapes of their own. Cut out the shape, place on the foam and decorate.

7. Save all the shapes to use on the frames. Save the scraps to use later for additional motifs and attachments. Please discard remaining foil in the recycle bin.

Activity #2 Instructions: 1. Select a magazine2. Look through magazines to find an image that will be used in the frames

the students will make in the next session.3. The students may also draw or create their own image or bring a

photograph from home.

Wrap – up: Have the students share their work.

Assessment Questions● Do the motifs look like the ones in the pictures?● Can you name the shapes that you made?● Which shape did you enjoy making the most?● What do you call the new shapes you designed?

Standards AddressedSee Module 4 cover page.

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Tinwork in New Mexico: Make a Frame and an ornamentLesson # 3 & 4 & 5

Lesson Overview : Students will make a frame, using aluminum tooling foil. The students will attach the motif shapes they made in the previous lesson and put their images into the frames. Students will use the scrap pieces of aluminum to make Mexican

ornaments.Getting started –

Give students the needed supplies and go over instructions for making an aluminum frame. Go over instructions for making ornaments with the aluminum scraps left over from the frames.Activity #1:-

Make a frame Activity # 2:-

Make ornamentsWrap-up –

Questions and answersLesson Objectives :

Students will find different solutions in the process of creating aluminum frames and ornaments, by exploring form, texture, line, design, rhythm and symmetry. The students will practice using tools and materials to create their work.

Teaching GuideMaterials, Resources and Preparation

For the Students● Pre-selected Images● Pre-made aluminum motifs ● Chipboard● Precut Aluminum sheets ● Foam sheet● Pencils, scissors, glue sticks, markers, masking tape

For the Teacher● Lesson plan and background information● Samples of aluminum frames. ● Samples of Tin Ornaments.

Getting started: Activity #1 Instructions:

1. For each student: a piece of aluminum tooling foil, a piece of foam, a pencil, scissors, glue stick, permanent markers and masking tape. The magazine images and aluminum motif forms the students made in the

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previous lesson will also be used.

2. As in the previous lesson, instruct the students about working with foil. The edges are very sharp. Cut carefully and slowly. When the foil wrinkles, it can be pressed down on a flat surface and rolled over with the side of the pencil to smooth it out. Remind the students not to be wasteful with the foil. All foil scraps can be used to make attachmentsand final remnants can be recycled in the aluminum recycle bin. When decorating or etching the foil, always place the foil on a piece of foam. This gives a soft surface for the metal to indent into which produces a much better image. Use the pencil and draw/press into the aluminum to decorate (etch) it.

3. Show the students how to make the center cut in the foil. Fold the metal sheet in half but do not crease. Use the scissors to cut a

small slit into the metal.

4. Now push the scissors through the slit and carefully cut out the center to make the frame.

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The center shape can be a rectangle, a circle, a square, a heart or a free form. Be sure NOT to cut too close to the edges so that the frame

is wide enough, otherwise there will not be room to decorate, and the frame will be to delicate or weak. The outside edge of the frame can also be cut to ` change the overall shape of the frame.

5. After cutting, the metal will be wrinkled. Place the wrinkled aluminum sheet down on the table and smooth it out using the side of a pencil. Press down as you slide back and forth over the metal sheet. Be careful of the edges, they are sharp. Keep the center piece to use for additional motifs or for the frame stand.

6. Place the smooth frame on the piece of foam and use the pencil to draw/etch the designs on the metal. There are many different designs. Patterns and textures that can be etched into the metal.

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7. When decorating the frame, incorporate the motifs that were made previously. These can be glued onto the frame with glue stick. Use plenty of glue. If needed use a piece of masking tape to hold the attachment in place until the glue dries. The tape can be removed once the glue is dry.

8. When the glue is dry, turn the frame over. Cut a piece of chipboard to the size needed to cover the empty space on the frame. Make sure that it covers the empty space all the way around, but does not go over the outside edged of the frame. Use masking tape to adhere the chipboard to the frame. Tape only three sides, leaving the TOP open. This will be the side to slip the image in.

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9. If you have an image, slip it into the back of the frame in the open end of the chipboard.

10. Color can be added to the frame using the permanent markers.

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11. To put a stand on the frame, cut a piece of foil to measure approximately three quarters of the length of the frame and a couple of inches wide. Now fold the piece lengthwise several times to make it long and thin and flat.

12. Attach this long thin piece of aluminum (the stand) to the back of the frame, onto the chipboard with masking tape. Place the aluminum stand, on the frame so that one end is on the top quarter of the frame and the other is way above the top of the frame. Use masking tape to attach the end to the chipboard. Make sure to put two or three pieces of tape so it is strong. Now fold the stand down towards the bottom of the frame, right where the tape ends. Be sure not to pull the stand off the frame so do this gently.

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13. Turn the frame over and prop it up on the stand!!

Wrap – up: Have the students share their work. Ask them to talk about the images they chose, the shapes they used, and how they feel about their art work.

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Standards AddressedSee Module 4 cover page.

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Lesson # 5Mexican Tin Christmas Ornaments

Getting started: Activity #1 Instructions:

Materials

Aluminum, brass and or copper sheets cut into 6” x 4”Etching tool (can use a pencil or small wood dowel with a point)Permanent markers in assorted colorsString or ribbon, rhinestones, sequence and glitterScissorsHole punchFoam board to use under metal sheet for etchingPencil

Procedure

1. Draw the outline of the desired shape onto the metal with a pencil. Do not press

too hard so it does not etch the metal. Try to use the whole piece of metal. Save

scraps to make smaller ornaments.

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2. Cut out the shape. Be careful with the edges because they can be very sharp.

3. Flatten the shape with the side of the etching tool .

4. Place shape on a foam board and etch the decorations and details into the metal.

Etching or scoring can be done on both sides for different effects.

5. When you are finished with the etching, color the piece with the permanent

markers. Choose bright colors and paint both sides if you like.

6. When the marker is dry, glue on some rhinestones, sequins or glitter.

7. Punch a small hole on the top of the ornament and tie a loop of string through it.

8. Your ornament is now ready to hang on your tree or decorate a gift etc.

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Wrap – up: Have the students share their work. Ask them to talk about the images they chose, the shapes they used, and how they feel about their art work.

Standards Addressed See Module 4 cover page.

Student art work

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Background Information:

FOLK ARTS IN THE HOME: NEW MEXICAN TINWORK

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NEW MEXICAN TINWORK New Mexican tinwork is a folk art tradition that developed out of Mexican and European silver work. Due to a lack of silver in New Mexico, tin became the material of choice. Rooted in European Hispanic traditions, this contemporary craft is yet another example of the resourceful ingenuity and adaptation that characterizes many New Mexican folk arts.

Mined since ancient times, tin is used as a coating, as an alloy and in its pure, hardened state. Both tin and copper had been mined in Mexico before the Spanish conquest. Tinplate, thin sheets of iron coated with tin, was invented in Europe in the 17th century. Tinsheeting was produced in small quantities in Spain and sent to Mexico. Some Mexican silversmiths began to use tinplate because it was cheaper, lighter and easier to work with than silver. These Mexican silversmiths were heavily influenced by their Spanish counterparts who decorated the surfaces of the functional and ornamental objects they created with tiny stamped and embossed designs. Their work was introduced to New Mexico in a variety of forms. Priests setting up new missions in New Mexico brought tin host boxes, tin coffers, tin wine vessels, tin coated nails, tin processional crosses, tin lamps and tin crowns for statues of saints. Tin kitchen utensils, tin candle sconces and tin frames for devotional pictures and mirrors were also imported from Mexico.

Tin cans were invented at the turn of the eighteenth century out of a need to supply armed forces with reliable food in suitable containers The British perfected the manufacture of tinplating at the same time that the Santa Fe Trail opened (1821-22), paving the way for a renaissance of tinwork in New

Mexico. The occupation of Santa Fe by the U.S. military in 1846 initiated a huge influx of canned goods that fueled the soldiers and provided New Mexican tinsmiths with materials.

Talleres, small family workshops, began to produce affordable decorative objects such as frames, candle sconces, aranas, or chandeliers, processional crosses and nichos, niches. Tin frames were designed to hold specific prints of saints and holy people. The tin was tooled with nails and small dies used to emboss leather. Regional styles of decoration were developed in the talleres. Red and green oil paint, applied directly onto the tin, was popular in Valencia County, hence the Valencia Red and Green style. In Rio Arriba, the picture frames were round or rectangular with scalloped or rounded edges. The tin, stamped with circular and u-shaped patterns and images of devotional prints or greetings cards, were displayed in the opening. Tinworkers in Mesilla Valley, southern New Mexico, made small embossed crescent shapes or "lunettes." They created reverse painting on glass by applying paint to glass and then running a comb through it to create unique designs. These painted glass pieces were incorporated into the frames and nichos. Stamp styles from other areas in New Mexico included deer tracks, inverted v's, diamond shapes and teardrop motifs.

In the late 1800's the railroad brought more tin and chromolithographs, inexpensive printed goods, to New Mexico, which were quickly incorporated into the tinworkers' designs. After 1890 modernization had an adverse effect on tinwork and by the turn of the century many tinsmiths were no longer working. Tinsmithing revived in the 1930's during the Great Depression when a number of private and government programs were established to

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teach different craft techniques. The Spanish Colonial Arts Society had been established to promote traditional Spanish colonial arts; and tinwork continued to develop beyond the boundaries of nineteenth century traditions. Tinwork continues to be produced by New Mexicans today. Contemporary craftspeople create functional and decorative objects out of tin, mainly using tinsheeting manufactured in the United States. What started out as a necessity, using old tin cans to create useful things, has matured into a folk art form that is alive and well today.

Vocabulario - Vocabulary

Nicho niche, a recess in a wall or a free-standing box

in which a religious image is displayed.

Hojalateros tin workers

Taller workshop where different crafts

were produced

Hojalateria tinwork

Araña chandelier

Candelabras de pared candle sconces, holders

for candles

Technical Vocabulary

Tin snips scissor like tools used for cutting tin

Chisel a metal tool with a cutting edge at

the end of a blade, used for cutting, bending and shaping

Hammer a hand tool used for pounding metal

Stamping tools tools used for imprinting

shapes and designs in different

materials

Stamping imprinting, making an impression or

indentation in a material

Tinwork objects made out of tin

Lunette semicircular or crescent-

shaped design

Chromolithograph multicolored print produced by a

technique that relies on the separation of oil

and water

Scallop a fluted fan shape, like a

shell with radiating fluted pattern

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Background Information:

MEXICAN TINby Anne Damon in Guanajuato, Oaxaca

One of the least known, most versatile, and most beautiful expressions of Mexican folk art is hojalata (tin art work), also known in some parts of Mexico as, lamina or lata. Since the 1500's, this humble metal has been made more pleasing by being shaped, stamped, punched, painted and cut into a wide variety of decorative and functional artwork.

One reason it's popular as a material for folk art is that it is very light, it's strong and it's inexpensive. Along with being low cost, it's easily bent and crimped to form intricate shapes. It's a material that has been used for many inexpensive domestic products, like mousetraps or tin cups, and for that reason, can easily be overshadowed or ignored when faced with similar pieces made of gold or silver. Tin’s shiny surface has an appearance similar to silver, which likely contributed to its appeal for making candlesticks, plates, pitchers, buckets, ladles, etc,

One current use of tin is the continuation of the very old tradition of making tin plate frames, or nichos. These 3-d, recessed shadow boxes date back to the Spanish colonial period. Traditionally nichos were used as portable shrines for patron saints or pictures of loved ones.

These days, Mexican artisans use natural, oxidized and brightly lacquered paints to create ornaments, mirrors, lanterns and other decorative pieces. There are several regions that specialize in tin work in Mexico. Oaxaca , San Miguel de Allende, and Tonalá, Jalisco.

One of the most popular tin objects from Mexico are the beautiful tin stars and Christmas ornaments. They come in various sizes and can be painted, shiny natural

tin or the darker oxidized tin.

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Image Set: Traditional Mexican Tin Ornaments.

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