Almost every buying trip to Mexico includes at least one event that I couldn't have anticipated, no matter how much I prepared. Some are lovely surprises, and others are downright sad. When it was time to confirm my visit with the artisans of Capula, I received a message from Ines, the young woman who was making mezcal cups and cazuelitas for us. She told me she wasn't able to finish my order because her sister just died. Not only was the sudden and mysterious death of her 42 year old sister a shock and a tragedy, but Maria Georgina was Ines' helper in her pottery workshop. She was grieving a profound loss of her sister and best friend, but also feeling a responsibility to me, her client. She insisted it was still okay for us to come by and pick up the part of the order that was ready, and I agreed, knowing that she and her family could of course use the money.
The flowers and photo of the just deceased Maria Georgina were the first thing I saw as I entered the family home and workshop (in Michoacán artisan workshops are usually in the home, next to their kitchens or bedrooms) followed by Ines' parents who came to greet Doug and me. And then we found Ines. It was tough, but after the hugs and words of condolence we managed to push through and take care of business.
A note on this pottery... Ines Leal was one of the first artisans in the town of Capula to produce lead-free pottery. She actually was the first to create the style called "capulineada"--the arrangement of dots formed to make tiny flowers. Now dozens of potters are doing the same thing, but Ines was the first. Her production is limited, she isn't famous and hasn't made a lot of money from her craft. But she always does a beautiful job and I'm happy to say that we now have her cups available in our collection.
You can purchase mezcal cups by Ines Leal here: https://mexico-by-hand.myshopify.com/products/capula-mezcal-cups