Calabacitas

The Martinez family has one of the three workshops on the same short block in Zinapecuaro where the burnished squash or calabazas are made. We have been buying from the other two for several years now, but this past year we discovered the Martinez artisans -- dad, mom and son-- thanks to this boy here, who is NOT a member of the family. This guy came out to hustle us inside as we were going into his neighbor's place, our friends the Hernandez Cano family, to buy clay squash... in other words... the competition. We agree to come by after, and we did. The mini squash are a new thing in town, and the Señora's specialty. Her husband, Ventura Martinez and her son, Fernando make the large ones. The chico spends a lot of time helping the Señora, instead of going to school because it doesn't interest him. She in turn feeds him and basically mothers him, which he apparently doesn't get much of at home. I hope the boy listens to my advice about the importance of knowing how to read and do math if you're going to be a successful artisan or whatever. Obviously he finds something interesting and worth learning in this family's clay workshop. I'm curious to see how he's doing a year later. Maybe I'll buy one of his creations next time.
Look for more mini clay squash like these in the photo around September on our website: www.mexicobyhand.com. Please contact us if you'd like to order, or for more info. about the pieces you see here.


For more on other artisans of Zinapecuaro:
http://mexicobyhand.blogspot.com/2009/10/burnished-pottery-of-hernandez-cano.html

Sustainable Woven Tule Baskets

Every day should be Earth Day, don't you think?
This traditional woven basket from Michoacán is almost an endangered species, because most Mexicans are now using insulated plastic or styrofoam tortilleros. They do the job and keep the tortillas hot, but most everyone agrees they're pretty ugly. The tortillero here was handmade by an indigenous artisan near Lake Patzcuaro, and the material used came right from the shores of the lake. It's called chuspata there, but more commonly known here as tule reeds. Wrap up your tortillitas in a handwoven or embroidered servilleta (napkin) and serve them in this pretty basket-- and you've got yourself an eco-friendly sustainable item for your home. Plus you're helping employ poor folks in Mexico who can really use the income. The chuspata artisans also make animal figures, and even lamps and furniture that are reinforced and quite strong! It's a sustainable craft that gives your home that touch of soul and charm we all desire. Please contact us if you're interested in making a purchase at www.mexicobyhand.com. We also sell wholesale to stores and restaurants.

I often buy from señora Juliana whose family workshop is located in the pueblo of Ihuatzio. Here she demonstrates figure weaving with another kind of plant material they call popote or straw. You can often find her here at La Casa de los Once Patios in Patzcuaro.









Above is a typical woven fish, one of the many animal figures made by skilled Purepecha artists. Below on the left, a beautiful chuspata tray with handles. And below on the right-- a lovely, yet sturdy chuspata chair and lamp made from tule reeds from around Lake Patzcuaro.