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Calavera's (Sugar Skulls)

 * http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303843104579167982472259344
 * http://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/04/garden/designs-for-a-life-affirming-celebration-in-mexico.html
 * http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/faqs.html
 * http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/day-of-the-dead-sweets-and-treats

Calavera (Sugar Skull) Notes
The difference between Traditional Sugar Skulls and Sugar Skulls

Traditional Sugar Skulls
 * They are usually imported from Mexico and are made by people who have learned how to make these Calavera's from their families. Getting a wealth of information on how to create and use the molds that have been passed on from many generations.
 * These sugar skulls are made the same way they were made during the 17th century.
 * The creators will usually take around 4 to 6 months to gather enough Calavera's for the season after doing this they will take all of them and set them up on a temporary stall for the outdoor market 2 weeks before The Day of the Dead or La Dia de Los Muertos.
 * Sugar Skulls that are decorated with sombreros are rare because this design had mostly disappeared in the 1970's.
 * It is specifically folk art and it is not to be eaten what so ever. They are considered folk art for many reasons, the first being they are usually decorated with inedible items (beads, feathers, tin foil, etc.) Another being that they are ship from Mexico and it is said on the packages that they are not made in food approved kitchens.

Sugar Skulls
 * They could either be made as folk art or they could be eaten like candy
 * These sugar skulls recipe or molds haven't been pasted down from generation to generation like traditional sugars skulls.

History of Calavera (Sugar Skull) Notes

 * They are made for children.
 * They are molded and based on the shape of actual human skulls.
 * They are part of offerings for the altars of "ofrendos" to commemorate the dead in their homes.
 * The skulls and skeletons which has its roots to the Celtic festival known as Samhain from Halloween. Also in the Pre-Colombian times such as the Aztecs, Mayans and Toltec's the depictions of these images that were depicted from wall paintings or pottery they represent rebirth into the next stage of life.
 * In the 20th century Mexican political caricaturist Jose Guadalupe Posada earned fame by creating the wealth as a vain skeleton or calaveras in fancy attires.
 * One nicknamed as Katarina who wears a feathery hat and long dress taking on a life of her own and personification the Day of the Dead or La Dia de Los Muertos.
 * Made in inedible folk art forms like wood, paper-mâché, or sugar paste varieties.
 * Skulls can be molded from hardened sugar syrup, chocolate or amaranth seeds (walnuts or peanuts).