Aida Robles-Mertz learned the art of papel picado, creating delicate designs in papel de china (tissue paper) from her mother, Maria Jesus Robles, who learned it as child in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico, where she helped her grandmother make farolitos (lanterns) and banderolas (little flags) for religious ceremonies and family fiestas. Maria brought the tradition to Tucson where Aida now carries it on.