Mexican Folk Art Plates from Delores Hidalgo, Mexico
Posted: September 20, 2012 Filed under: Clay Ceramics, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Pottery, Mexican Style, Talavera, Unique gifts & Jewelry | Tags: Ceramics, handmade, Mexican ceramics, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, mexican style, talavera Comments Off
Summer is winding down in Minnesota, but if you aren’t quite ready to let it go (or you live in a warm weather climate all year-long–lucky you) take a look at this handmade Mexican folk art from the town of Delores Hidalgo. These cheerful Mexican crafts are made individually the old-fashioned way. Yes, on a wheel and then glazed and fired. They are safe for eating (no lead) and can go into the microwave and dishwasher. These somewhat low fired ceramics can chip so it’s a good idea to treat them with respect. (No juggling.)
Almost every region of Mexico makes objects out of clay. In the state of Guanajuato, Delores Hidalgo is known for making “talavera.” There are hundreds of shops selling a wide range of ceramics in varying levels of quality. Talavera is a style of ceramic work that was brought to Mexico by the Spaniards after the conquest in the 1500′s. The other city that is perhaps even more well-known for talavera and is home to many masters of the craft, is Puebla in the state of Puebla. Puebla is home to one of the best, Uriarte. The styles of the talavera in the two cities are somewhat different with Puebla being even more Spanish in tradition. Another offshoot of these functional Mexican crafts is “majolica” and that can be found principally in the city of Guanajuato. Gorky Gonzalez is one of the famous potters of Guanajuato and many people recognize the Gorky style immediately. Another well-known majolica artisan in the city of Guanajuato is Capelo.
The functional Mexican folk art ceramics of Mexico are beautiful and we carry a lot of them in the shop at Zinnia Folk Arts. Stop in to our Twin Cities store or take a look right here!
Teodora Blanco, Master Artist from Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico
Posted: August 11, 2012 Filed under: Clay Ceramics, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art, Oaxaca | Tags: Ceramics, handmade, Mexican ceramics, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Oaxaca, pastillaje Comments Off
The unpainted doll clay work of Teodora Blanco, who died in 1980, was an original in the history of Mexican folk art. She was well known while alive for creating the beautifully embellished clay “munecas” (dolls) representing Mexican women doing daily activities OR fantastic human-ish figures topped with animal heads and horns. Her unique and influential work was collected by Nelson Rockefeller and she was one of, if not the first, Mexican clay artisan to decorate her unpainted clay figures with “pastillaje” or attached decorative pieces of clay. Her exceptionally skilled children, Luis and Irma, continue her tradition today. We have numerous signed (TB) Teodora pieces acquired through an estate sale. We also have several pieces by Irma Blanco. Feel free to call or email with questions!
Mexican Trees of Life
Posted: July 31, 2012 Filed under: Clay Ceramics, Folk Art, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Pottery, Tree of Life | Tags: Ceramics, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, mexican style, Tree of Life Comments Off
Here’s a colorful collection of ceramic trees of life from Izucar de Matamoros, Mexico. As I’ve mentioned before there are several regions known for their trees of life and in every region the design, color combinations and style are different. These brightly painted trees are very typical of the little town from which they come. They come in lots of sizes, are meant to hold candles (though they don’t have to) and traditionally are used during important festivals and holidays such as Day of the Dead and Christmas. Enjoy!
Red, White & Blue Handmade Mexican Ceramics
Posted: June 21, 2012 Filed under: Clay Ceramics, Folk Art, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Pottery, Mexican Style, Talavera, Textiles, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Celebrate the holidays, handmade, Mexican ceramics, Mexican dishes, Mexican folk art, mexican style, Textiles 4 Comments »
We’re getting ready for a big corner-celebrating event this weekend AND I wanted to give you all an idea of what you can do with Mexican dishes to celebrate Independence Day. Everything on the table is handmade in the great country of Mexico!
The beautiful red runner is from Chiapas, the glassware from Jalisco, the candlesticks from Puebla and the ceramics from Guanajuato…
Enjoy mis amigos!
And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask…Zinnia
Peek at Some of the Handmade Mexican Ceramics Currently in the Shop!
Posted: June 1, 2012 Filed under: Clay Ceramics, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Pottery, Talavera | Tags: Ceramics, Folk Art, handmade, Mexican ceramics, Mexican dishes, Mexican folk art, mexican style, mexico artisans Comments Off
Mexico’s most prevalent folk art is made in clay. Every state and every region of Mexico has artisans making functional and decorative pots. Here’s a small sample of some of the ceramics we currently have in the shop in Minneapolis. Come on in and take a look!
Grand Opening of New Mexican Folk Art Shop in Minneapolis!
Posted: May 3, 2012 Filed under: .925 SIlver, Clay Ceramics, Day of the Dead, Folk Art, Frida Kahlo, Jewelry, Masks, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Style, Milagros, Ocumicho, Paper Mache, Religious Folk Art, Sugar Skulls, Talavera, Textiles, The Shop, Tree of Life, Unique gifts & Jewelry, Virgin of Guadalupe, Wood Carvings, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Ceramics, Day of the Dead, handmade, Josefina Aguilar, Margarita Fick, Masks, Mexican ceramics, Mexican folk art, Mexican jewelry, Oaxaca, paper mache, Religious folk art, sugar skulls, Textiles, Virgin of Guadalupe Comments Off
Unpacking the latest Mexican Folk Art Shipment
Posted: April 20, 2012 Filed under: Clay Ceramics, Folk Art, Global Style, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Pottery, Milagros, Religious Folk Art, Textiles | Tags: Ceramics, Folk Art, handmade, Mexican ceramics, Mexican folk art, Milagros, Religious folk art, Textiles, Tin Comments Off
Here’s a sneak peek of a small number of the items that were in the last shipment. This is from the trip I took in January and February! So unpacking everything is a little like opening Christmas presents for me. Everything will be going to the shop at 826 West 50th and will be available when we open but if you see something and can’t wait, let me know through this handy form….Saludos!
A Small Slice of the Semana Santa Market in Uruapan, Mexico
Posted: April 5, 2012 Filed under: Clay Ceramics, Folk Art, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Mexican Pottery, Ocumicho, Palm Sunday | Tags: Folk Art, handmade, Mexican ceramics, Mexican folk art, Mexican holidays, mexican style, Ocumicho Comments Off
Semana Santa Folk Art Market
Posted: March 31, 2012 Filed under: Catrina, Clay Ceramics, Day of the Dead, Folk Art, Mexican Folk Art, Tree of Life | Tags: Day of the Dead, Mexican ceramics, Mexican folk art Comments Off
Heron Martinez Tree of Life
Posted: February 22, 2012 Filed under: Clay Ceramics, Mexican Folk Art, Tree of Life | Tags: Heron Martinez, Mexican ceramics, Mexican folk art, Tree of Life 2 Comments »
Heron Martinez was a master clay artisan who lived in Acatlan, Mexico during the 1960′s and 70′s. This 3 foot tall tree of life comes from his “white period.” The tree is made of clay, then fired, then painted with a white gesso, then painted in the lively colors so characteristic of Martinez. It was purchased around 50 years ago by a woman traveling in Mexico, eventually given to her nephew in Finlayson, Minnesota. Sadly, Heron Martinez is no longer living and none of his family members have carried on the tradition.
I found it on Craigslist recently and it’s now in my collection.
I’m going to bring it in for the Grand Opening of the Zinnia Folk Arts so everyone can enjoy it. It is truly amazing!
