So why are we devoting a whole FYI session to making parols? Well, like the Christmas tree here in the US, the parol has become an iconic symbol of Christmas in the Philippines. It was adapted from the Chinese lantern and the Mexican pinata to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. It also symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the FIlipinos' hope during Christmas. Traditionally, parols were made in the shape of a star using bamboo sticks and Japanese paper. Nowadays, the materials can vary (drinking straws, wood, metal, shells, feathers, etc.) and the designs have become more elaborate.Parols are typically hung on houses around September to signal the coming of the season. They are typically associated with the Simbang Gabi, a series of dawn masses that lasts for nine days. The parols usually remain until January 6th to honor the Three Kings and their visit to baby Jesus.
links:
MyParol
Philippine Christmas
Paskong Pilipino
Make Your Own Parol!
Supplies:
5 Short Posts
Rubber bands
Tissue Paper
Scissors
Glue Gun
Glue
String/Ribbon
Step 1: Make V-shapes with sticks. Place the ends of 2 sticks together making a V-shape then tie the ends together with a rubber band. Make 2 V-shapes.
Step 2: Hold the V-shapes next to each other. Weave the inside sticks together so that they are under/over both sticks of the opposite V and that the ends of the outside sticks come together. Tie the ends together with a rubber band. You should now have 3 points of your star complete.
Step 3: Weave in one stick and joining end-to-end to make the other two points of the star. Tie the points with a rubber band. Readjust the sticks until you are happy with your star shape.
Step 4: Glue the points of the star. Remove the rubber band from one point and hot glue the ends together. Hold the ends together until the glue dries (you can also re-tie the rubber band instead of holding the ends since the ends will be hot). Do this with each point.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4.
Step 6: Tie the ends of both stars together with a rubber band. Hot glue one post inbetween both stars at each vertex of the pentagon.
Step 7: Complete the parol frame by removing the rubber band and hot gluing the ends one by one.
Step 8: Decorate your parol! Cut the tissue paper and glue it onto the frame. You can either glue the tissue paper on top of or on the underside of the frame. Tie string on the top point of the parol. Optional: use string or ribbon to make tassels for your parol.
4 comments:
are we going to use hot glue? maybe we could use string instead of rubber bands and then leave them on?
yea, you can but rubber bands are easier to use at the beginning bc it stays on tight so you can adjust the sticks. you can tie off the stars at the joints with string instead but you'll eventually need the hot glue gun for the posts in between the stars. look at Ate Cat's video, she gives directions, it was just hard for me to hear it on the computer that i was using when i posted this....but it's clear on my laptop
the instructions are what FASA did when we made parols for Pin@y101....let's just do a hot glue gun station. it's probably safer and i don't think we'll have enough hot glue guns....
some kids brought in hot glue guns last year. so, if you need some just holla.
im super excited :D
hey, that's me in the video! I totally forgot about how you recorded me last year. the rubber bands are good for when you're putting the sticks together, because it's kind of tricky to weave the sticks in a way that the star shape will hold on its own, so it's easier to redo than if you use string first.
if you're using smaller rubber bands (we used the kind for hair braiding), you're definitely going to want the string too, because they break when you try to put in the middle posts.
oh, and make sure you have cover the table the glue gun station is on. I learned this the hard way last year. There's a bunch of glue sticks in the office somewhere too.
so sad i'm missing this Sunday...I'll already be gone for Thanksgiving. Lemme know if you need some help with the decorating (tassels, frames, etc.) for the next class. Have fun!
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