I stumbled across a website called Oh Happy Day tonight while procrastinating. I really enjoyed reading their pinata tutorials and found them inspirational. I am writing this blog post to ensure that I do not forget these ideas like so many lost on scrap pieces of paper. Its also good to see other people building pinatas and being creative.

Building on an idea:   

    The first idea I got is from their alligator pinata. When I go to make my own I think I will drop the tissue paper, make it more realistic, expand the size of the jaw and add many more teeth. I really like the idea of making pinatas of animals that I am afraid of. A healthy fear fostered by that memorable scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Imagine tiny Thuggee pinatas in the mouth... also they' re filled with candy.

        I got my second idea from their tiny pinatas.

If only I had children to spoil.

    I would follow their technique but make birds instead. By placing some in the mouth or on the back of the alligator at the party I could show the symbiotic relationship that exists between alligators and some species of bird (though I feel like I would be the only one genuinely interested in that). The birds could also serve as party favours that people can take home with them at the end of it all.  

 

    I hope it is alright with Oh Happy Day that I am going to steal a few ideas from them and run off with it sometime in the future.

 

Pterodactyl Pinata is almost finished

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From left to right: T-Rex, Pterodactyl, pear.

Almost finished this pinata and I have to admit it is a little too big. To be fair it is going to be really cool.

Due to the weight in the head, this pinata will dip down when hung up and give the appearance that it is diving. Little teeth may be added to the beak, if I have the energy. 

I still have to finish the T-Rex in the background and trying to decide whether or not to add a tiny Jeff Goldblum in it's jaws.

The wings were actually easier to build that I thought, thanks to a trick I learned from a previous pinata.

DIY note: If making a pinata with wings, connect the wings with a cardboard bridge in the centre(several layers of recycled cardboard and pleanty of staples). Paper mache for several days to ensure that structure will hold before removing the bridge. Alternatively you can leave the bridge in for added stability, but less room for candy. 

 

More photos to come as I complete the first Dinosaur Series.

 

I will also get to a DIY section where I explain how to make a basic pinata.

Mazey in the window  for your viewing pleasure.

Dinosaur pinatas are coming soon.

Stegosaurus!

My favourite and the greatest of all the dinosaurs.

The first of the Dinosaur Series is complete.

I finished a Brontosaurus and a Triceratops today and will quickly begin building a T-Rex and Pterodactyl. Those five should round out the first of dinosaur pinatas.

Contact me if you have any ideas or suggestions.

Speaking of dinosaurs...

Check out one of my favourite artists Dan Hipp at mrhipp.blogspot.com.

Art courtesy of Mr. Hipp.

Cats are everything

At least that is what I have come to understand from the internet.

This is an early pinata I made for a friend. Notice the asymmetry. I do. It bothers me. In fact I would travel back in time right now and correct the Bell's Palsy I gave that pinata. I would also correct all the other asymmetrical features I put on it.

Considering that I do not have the ability to travel in time, I encourage everyone to enjoy this picture with me.

My cat Buddy looks like he is smelling the pinata, but he is actually quietly judging.

Awesome Beholder Pinata

The Beholder was a really fun project that took over 30 hours to create. It was made for a friend's son with his direct consultation during the planning and construction phases. I got the opportunity to teach this 7 year old a lot about beholders. In addition, I learned something new as well; a technique to cut down on creating paper mache eye stalks by about 10 hours.

The kids really liked it, and my friend described the pinata as indestructible. I'm told that after giving all 9 children 3-4 turns each, the rope broke. The pinata was left intact except for a few eye stalks. It took the combined effort of all 9 kids to jump on the pinata to finally break it open and dig out the delicious candy inside.

Days later, the 7 year old birthday boy (who kept the shattered remains of his pinata) wandered down into the basement, only to be scared off by its large all-seeing eye.