Parolito in Scarlet & Gold

These "parolitos" are the tiniest parols! Beaded with gorgeous jewel tones against a brilliant gold, they are definitely eye-catchers! The beaded tassels are made with tiny 15/0 seed beads, which were extremely tricky to string – I had to be careful to weave them in slowly to make sure I wouldn't break them.

Every Christmas, homes and buildings all over the country are adorned with parols, star-shaped lanterns which represent the Star of Bethlehem that guided the three kings to find the baby Jesus.

The word parol comes from the Spanish farol, which means 'lantern'. During the Spanish colonial period, the lanterns were used to light the way of the nine-day Christmas novena procession. At the time, the parol was a simple rectangular or oblong shape. It wasn't until the American colonial period that it acquired its iconic five-pointed star shape, which inspired this collection.