News — crafts
Returning to Zipiajo!
Peggy Stein artesania authentic blouses clay crafts embroidery folk art handmade Michoacan textiles traditional
We met Elvia Silva Bartolo in 2004 while Doug and I were shooting our documentary. She’s in Zipiajo, a Purepecha village way off the beaten track where a few artisans make unpainted terracotta clay pots and gorgeous embroidered blouses.We didn’t know about the embroidery at the time, and until we were in Elvia’s workshop we had no idea that she had an incredible talent for sculpting clay animal figures. We bought a few small ones that day, and later purchased some that won prizes in Michoacán state fairs. She has a piece in the prestigious Museo del Arte Popular in...
Adios 2020!
Peggy Stein artesania authentic crafts folk art handmade Mexican
Beautiful pottery—but is it food-safe?
Peggy Stein artesania ceramics clay crafts handmade lead-free Mexican pottery traditional
Shipping News! SUMMER 2019
Peggy Stein artesania authentic buying artesania catrina crafts folk art handmade Mexican Michoacan Ocumicho traditional
Most often when I take the time to sit down to write about my business, it’s a rant or sad description of the latest calamity or indignity I’ve either witnessed or personally suffered. Some of you might know that I’ve been (slowly) writing a “memoir” with the working title “Why Importing Crafts from Mexico is Not for Wimps”. I also think that “Are you F**cking Kidding Me?” could work as a title also. But I just realized that I need to share good news too! In the summer of 2019, while the U.S. was continuing to be destroyed by a...
Always Handmade and Authentic
Peggy Stein artesania authentic blouses crafts cultural appropriation handmade Mexican textiles traditional
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 you will most likely hear more from me about this subject. I'm also alarmed by what's happening in the Mexican crafts world in general, due to globalization and the power of commercial interests who could give a flying you-know-what about preserving or respecting anyone's cultural identity. While you as a customer can find more and more online shops professing to carry items "handmade in Mexico", beware that there is no...