Dahlk’s piñatas are too beautiful to break

By Karen Donato
Staff/Writer
    If you are looking for something unique for a party look no farther, Paula Dahlk of Littleton can create most any kind of piñata for your special event. But beware, it may be such a beautiful piece of artwork that you won’t want to fill it with candy and break it.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Karen Donato
GETTING IT RIGHT — Paula Dahlk explains how she made the fruits and vegetables look so realistic in this Thanksgiving piñata. She used part of a cardboard egg carton to make the grapes and purple tissue paper for the color. Dahlk can create specific designs by request. Call her at 538-1769.
    Just before Thanksgiving, Dahlk and her children, who attend Wellington School in Monticello, worked together to make a cornucopia for the children at school. However, after bringing it to school, the teachers all agreed it was much too beautiful to destroy. They decided to keep it for a display that can be used for several years to come.
    In some ways, Dahlk is disappointed when she hears this, because she says, “I make them to break, that is what a piñata is for.”
    Dahlk grew up in Mexico and was raised by her grandmother. She worked as a journalist there, and then, at the age of 23 she came to Arkansas where her mother and other family members were living. In Arkansas she worked as a floral designer until she met her husband, Steve. Since they have been married she has devoted her time to her husband and now their four children, Leif, 8, Meysha, 6, Elizabeth, 4 and David, 2.
    The Dahlks moved to Maine from Tennessee in 2005. Their son, Leif, had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease and his treatments required long stays in the hospital in Bangor. It was during that time that Dahlk decided it would be easier to home school her children. Part of the curriculum required her to teach art and she began looking for various ways to incorporate different art experiences into the home school curriculum. Remembering the beautiful piñatas from her own country, she began working with the children to make them. When her friends and neighbors saw her work, they suggested she make them to sell.
    Leif is well now and no longer needs his cancer treatments, so Dahlk and her husband decided to enroll the children at the Wellington School.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Karen Donato
UNIQUE PINATAS — Paula Dahlk and her children made this beautiful cornucopia piñata for the students at Wellington School in Monticello. Showing off the work are from left, Meysha, Leif, David, Elizabeth and their mother of Littleton.
    During November, the children learned about the Pilgrims and their journey to America. They also learned new vocabulary words including cornucopia or horn of plenty. Talking about what they were learning at school, Dahlk, not as familiar with American traditions had the children describe a cornucopia. The children thought it would be a good idea to make one for the school. The day before Thanksgiving Dahlk brought the two-foot long cornucopia to school for all of the children to see.
    Dahlk uses a technique called paper mache. She layers newspaper using a special artisan’s glue on a hard surfaced object to make the forms. If it is round she will use some sort of pan, bowl or balloon. If it is flat, she starts with a pan. After the newspaper layers have dried she adds layers of whatever colored tissue paper she needs to make it look realistic. Dhalk used a section of a cardboard egg carton for the grapes in the cornucopia. She sometimes paints sections of the object for just the right effect.
    It is difficult for Dahlk to accept the fact that no one wants to damage the piñatas and she says that she hears this same comment from others. She is planning to make something different for the Wellington students for New Year’s and she said, “This one I am making for the children to break!”
    Dahlk says that as long as she has a picture she usually can make the requested piñata. This past summer she had a booth at Houlton’s Potato Feast Craft Fair and at the Patten Pioneer Days. She has made flowers, musical instruments, bulldozers, busses, cars, hot air balloons, and turtles. Dahlk also makes floral centerpieces using both fresh and silk flowers. She often incorporates sprigs of bushes found in the fields and nearby woods.
    Leif is also getting the business fever and designs and makes earrings, an activity that he learned when  he was confined during his treatments.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Karen Donato
HOLIDAY CENTERPIECES — Paula Dahlk of Littleton creates centerpieces and decorations using both silk and real flowers.
    Dahlk says the children often come up with the ideas and then with their help she creates it. Some of the piñatas can be made in a couple of days, while the more complex ones need about two weeks to prepare. The prices range from $10 to $35 or more depending on the time and intricate work.
    For more information call Dahlk at 538-1769.