How to Make an Easy Kachina Doll
Kachina dolls are traditional artwork of Hopi Indians, members of a farming community who live in northeastern Arizona. The Hopi design these dolls to represent kachinas, or spiritual beings, and give them to Hopi children twice each year. Although authentic kachina dolls are carved out from the roots of cottonwood trees, you can make a simple kachina doll from household materials.
Things You'll Need
- Decorating materials
- Toilet paper roll
- Scissors
- Tape
- Ping-pong ball
- Hot glue
- Cardboard
Instructions
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1
Decide on a spirit or natural element for your kachina doll to represent, and gather decorations that reflect your theme. If you want your doll to represent the sun, for example, find yellow and orange felt, feathers and paint to adorn your doll with the colors of the sun.
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2
Cut a slit about a third of the way up from the bottom of the toilet paper roll. Then cut another slit the same length directly on the other side of the roll. You now have a right and left flap that will form cylindrical legs.
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3
Make a horizontal slit at the top of each vertical slit to form a T-shape on both sides.
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4
Form the first leg by rolling the edges of the right flap together and securing with tape. Repeat with the left flap to create the other leg.
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5
Secure a ping-pong ball to the top of the toilet paper roll with hot glue to create a head for your kachina doll.
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6
Decorate your doll with the materials that you collect to represent your doll's spirit. Glue on felt or fabric clothes, paint a face on your doll and add any embellishments.
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7
Create a cardboard base for your kachina doll to stand on and secure the doll to the base with hot glue. You can make the base any shape you like and decorate it to match your theme.
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Tips & Warnings
Pay attention to your kachina doll's face. Traditional kachina dolls wear highly decorated masks that strongly reflect the dolls' themes.
