Write a Winning Limerick Testimonial about Zinnia Folk Arts and Choose a Mexican Folk Art Gift!
Posted: April 23, 2013 Filed under: Folk Art, Masks, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Pottery, Milagros, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Ceramics, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Milagros, Religious folk art 16 Comments »
Love to write limericks? Or never done it before but would like to win one of the four amazing pieces of Mexican folk art in the photo?
As you know, our First Birthday is coming up soon and to celebrate we’re offering a choice of one of the four pieces pictured here (all valued between $150-$225) to the winning testimonial limerick. Here are the rules:
1. Write an awesome limerick about Zinnia Folk Arts and what you love about it.
1.1 You may submit as many as you like.
1.2 Relatives and friends may submit anonymously by sending via snail mail to Zinnia, 826 W 50th, Mpls 55491. Put a number on the limerick so it can be identified.
2. Submit it to Anne at info@ZinniaFolkArts.com by Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 4:00 CST either in the shop or online.
3. The winner will be notified on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.
4. All entrants agree to permit Zinnia Folk Arts to use their limerick testimonial in online and shop promotion, with credit.
5. The winner chooses one of the four pieces featured in this photo–large wood tigre mask, large hammered tin mirror, large wood hand covered on both sides with milagros or the large blue (no lead) Metepec platter
6. Winner will pick up the gift in the shop at 826 West 50th St., Minneapolis. If the winner lives outside of Minneapolis, the winner will pay for shipping costs.
7. Questions? Please ask!
Here’s some inspiration!
There was a young belle of old Natchez
Whose garments were always in patchez.
When comments arose
On the state of her clothes,
She replied, “When Ah itchez, Ah scratchez.”
—Ogden Nash
There was a young lady named Bright
Who traveled much faster than light.
She set out one day,
In a relative way,
And came back the previous night.
—Anonymous
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!
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!
Red Mexican Ceramics from Guanajuato
Posted: January 4, 2012 Filed under: Clay Ceramics, Mexican Folk Art, Unique gifts & Jewelry | Tags: Ceramics, Folk Art, handmade, Mexican ceramics, Mexican dishes, mexican style, talavera Comments Off
Mexican talavera pottery comes from several regions. One of the places I like to go is the State of Guanajuato to look for interesting, less common patterns. I especially like the red in these ceramics–it’s a little more uncommon than the usual blue, terracotta, yellow and white. They make a statement whenever you want to serve something with a little color. And all of these ceramics are food safe.
The top photo is a nicer quality of ceramic than the bottom photo but aren’t they pretty?
Ceramics Arrive Mostly Intact
Posted: November 2, 2011 Filed under: Mexican Folk Art | Tags: Ceramics, Mexican folk art Comments Off
What do you think I thought when I saw this box that arrived yesterday from Mexico? Yep, a few things are broken but most of the lovely ceramics arrived in one piece and will eventually be showing up in the shop!
