News — authentic

Breaking news from Los Cabos, Mexico! I recently saw a story from the Cabo Sun Times that begins: "As you stroll along the sun-drenched Cabo San Lucas marina, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of colorful trinkets. But beneath the vibrant displays of sombreros, blankets, and painted skulls lies a growing issue that savvy travelers need to be aware of: __________." Okay readers-- what do you think it is?? Drugs? Cheap adulterated tequila? I myself was anxious to know what lies beneath the sombreros... Here it is: "...a huge number of these souvenirs are not authentic Mexican handicrafts, but...

I hope you won't buy a cazo through Amazon. Mexico By Hand sells hand hammered copper cazos  in three sizes. Ours are heavy duty professional grade, made by artisans in Santa Clara del Cobre. Roberto and his family workshop have made dozens of cazos for our customers over the years, and personally pack and ship them from Mexico to your door.

For us Cinco de Mayo represents pride and respect for Latino culture, which of course includes the beautiful handmade Mexican art we are proud to share with you.

There are a lot of tongues wagging, and rightfully so, about the cultural appropriation (ripping off) of traditional textile designs created by indigenous artisans in Mexico. I am angry and concerned, and also alarmed by what's happening in the Mexican crafts world in general, due to globalization. While you as a customer can find more and more online shops professing to carry items "handmade in Mexico”, beware that there is no way to verify such a claim. No one is policing the internet-- whether it's articles on Facebook about a political candidate or a cute Etsy store selling inexpensive "peasant" blouses. Yuck,...

I am very sad to share the news that we recently lost another great Mexican folk artist--Antonio Anita Mejia of Michoacán. I have known Antonio since 2003 and Mexico By Hand has bought and sold dozens of his beautiful pieces over the years. As a matter of fact, I have many right now waiting to be shipped from Mexico to California. I first noticed Antonio in front of his colorfully painted bateas and trasteritos at the Dia de los Muertos market in Patzcuaro, and took this photo. He was sitting just outside of the official artisans booth area at the...