Date:
1/10/2003
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Colleen Wright
PORTALES – Angels have been appearing around the campus of Eastern New Mexico University. These fabric angels are the handiwork of Doncella Caywood, clerk for Student Records.
Doncella says that she loves crafts, and enjoys everything from angel figures to crocheting. "My mom loves crafts; she is the one that taught me to make these angels. Sometimes for Christmas my family would make a decoration for mother's tree instead of exchanging gifts. I have very fond memories of those days."
Doncella grew up one of seven children; she has two sisters and four brothers. With such a large family, they often made gifts instead of spending money on each other.
She likes to give away her homemade angels. One year she gave them to some ENMU employees. People admired them and, eventually, Doncella was asked to teach an Extended Learning class on making angels.
Doncella says that the holidays have always been "a very special time of year for my family. It's not about presents, but togetherness. I enjoy working on the angels. It's inexpensive, represents the holidays and makes a special gift."
The materials cost less then five dollars. They include cheese cloth, small baggy, fabric stiffener, small Styrofoam ball (for the head), larger Styrofoam cone (for the body), pipe-cleaner for arms, small flower, pins, and a small shiny gold wire for the halo.
Directions for Making the Angel:
A. Take the cheese cloth and put it in the baggy full of fabric stiffener, squish it around until the cloth is soaked.
B. Place the ball on top of the small end of the cone with a toothpick , so it resembles an angel figure. Fold a pipe-cleaner in half and insert in the back just under the neck, spread it out and bring around to the front and twist together to form arms.
C. Place the cloth over the Styrofoam, mold it into the shape of an angel in a dress, styles may vary (remember to shape the arms as well).
D. Take a smaller piece of soaked cloth and lay it on a flat surface, pinch the middle of the cloth, let dry and the cut the ends in the shape of wings, and pin on the back of the angel.
E. Glue the halo on top of the angel's head.
F. Place the flower in between the angel's hands.
You now have your very own guardian, albeit fabric, angel to watch over you.
"Many people will add variations to the way they construct their angels," Doncella says. She thinks this makes for an appealing variety. "It's fascinating what people come up with."
For more information or questions, contact Doncella 505.562.2732.
Angels on Campus – ENMU employee Doncella Caywood has perfected the art of making fabric angels, which now appear around campus.
(photo by Colleen Wright)