Nativity Scenes from Mexico
Posted: December 4, 2012 Filed under: Christmas, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Navidad, Religious Folk Art, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Celebrate the holidays, Christmas, handmade, Mexican art, Mexican Christmas, Mexican Christmas ornaments, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Mexican holidays, mexican style, Navidad, Ornaments, Religious folk art 2 Comments »As I’ve mentioned before, Mexico is predominantly a Catholic country (over 90%). So, much of the handmade folk art from every region is related to either the Virgin of Guadalupe, believing in miracles, wishing and hoping for protection from the bad, thanking God for the good, remembering the dead or expressing one’s faith. As we get closer to Christmas, the Christmas markets will start popping up allowing one to buy all kinds of decorations and food related to Christmas.
People buy complete nativity scenes in Mexico but there is also a tradition that happens in other parts of the world–buying the nativity scene one piece at a time. If you go to the Christmas markets you’ll see Baby Jesus in all kinds of sizes and colors as well as the lambs, cows, mangers and other nativity figures. You can purchase one or all or simply add on to your nativity scene every year. Jesus is also purchased separately because he doesn’t appear in the scene until December 24th…the Three Kings are added to the nativity on January 6th.
As always, if you have questions or would like to purchase any of these Mexican nacimientos, just let me know!
A Shiny and Glittery Mexican Folk Art Christmas
Posted: December 3, 2012 Filed under: Christmas, Folk Art, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Mexican Style, Navidad, Religious Folk Art | Tags: Celebrate the holidays, Christmas, handmade, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Mexican holidays, Navidad, Virgin of Guadalupe Comments Off 
Here are a few examples of Mexican folk art in the shop for the Navidad season. There are lots of unique pieces–teeny little glittered Virgin of Guadelupe ($12) the beautiful large, Oaxacan, painted wall ornaments ($45), unpainted tin lumenaria in two sizes ($15 and $20), lovely tin pop-up nativity scenes inside a narrow box ($36), tiny little nacimiento boxes from Puebla ($18) and an amazing clay advent wreath from Izucar de Matamoros ($145).
None of these things are on the website but any of them can be purchased. Just let me know if you would like something. We ship all over the world!
Merry Christmas & See you Next Year!
Posted: December 25, 2011 Filed under: Christmas, Paper Mache | Tags: Christmas, paper folk art, paper mache, sacred hearts 2 Comments »
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all of you!
I’m taking a break to spend time with my family and won’t be posting until the new year.
Enjoy the season and I hope you can take a little break too!
See you next year…
A Shiny, Tin Feliz Navidad
Posted: December 21, 2011 Filed under: Christmas, Mexican Folk Art, Navidad, Tin | Tags: Christmas, luminaria, Mexican folk art, mexican style, Tin Comments Off
Tin artisans can be found in several regions of Mexico, working in different styles and different types of objects. This beautiful painted tin wall hanging comes from Oaxaca as do the common painted tin ornaments that add so much color and shine to the Christmas tree!
This lovely luminaria also comes from Oaxaca.
Have a shiny Christmas!
Nativity Scenes or “Nacimientos” from Mexico and Peru
Posted: December 19, 2011 Filed under: Christmas, Mexican Holidays, Navidad | Tags: Christmas, Creche, Day of the Dead, Folk Art, Mexican folk art, Mexican holidays, Nacimiento, Nativities, Navidad, Religious folk art Comments Off
Nativity scenes range in price from $25 to $125. Stop by GUILD to see these and more in all of their glory!
Unique Gifts? We’ve got them! Where? Zinnia Folk Arts at GUILD
Posted: December 16, 2011 Filed under: Christmas, Jewelry, Mexican Earrings, Mexican Holidays, Mexican Jewelry, Milagros, Navidad, Religious Folk Art, Santos | Tags: Christmas, GUILD Collective, handmade, Josefina Aguilar, Mexican ceramics, Mexican dishes, Mexican folk art, Mexican holidays, Mexican jewelry, Mexican silver, Navidad, Ornaments, Religious folk art, Textiles, Wood Carvings Comments Off
Zinnia Folk Arts at GUILD
4414 Excelsior Blvd
St. Louis Park, MN
Friday & Saturday, Dec 16, 17: 10-6
Sunday, Dec 18: 12-5
Monday-Friday, Dec 19-23: 10-6 (Yes, we’re open on Monday next week)
Saturday, Dec 24: 10-3
CLOSED on Christmas & Monday, Dec 26
Tuesday, Dec 27: 10-6
Select Online orders by Saturday, Dec 17 to assure Christmas delivery
Pinatas and Christmas in Mexico
Posted: December 8, 2011 Filed under: Christmas, Navidad | Tags: Christmas, handmade, Mexican folk art, Navidad, paper mache, Pinatas Comments Off
Right now in Mexico you will be able to find markets filled with all of the items one needs to celebrate la Navidad in Mexico. Starting next week (December 12) with the Virgin of Guadelupe’s birthday, then to Dec 16 for the start of the posadas all the way to January 6, Three Kings Day, there are special foods, special activities and special decorations.
Christmas pinatas are handmade and colorful and quite large. I don’t have any at the shop but above are some mini versions that are more the size of large Christmas tree ornaments. The idea is that after the posada (people dressed as the holy family and their entourage go from door to door looking for a place to stay the night) and when they arrive at the last house, there is a big party and the pinata game is played by the kids (and sometimes the adults). Pinatas are filled with candy and games and a big stick is used to whack at the paper mache pinata.
I’ve been looking for a good Youtube video about the making of pinatas but haven’t found one yet–if you do, let me know!
Unfortunately, the pinatas that are available around Minneapolis are imported from CHINA and have SpongeBob and My Little Pony plates on them. I took one of those and ripped off the tacky decorations and covered it with flowers and ribbons–you could do that too!
Gorgeous Red and White Mexican Textiles from Chiapas
Posted: November 30, 2011 Filed under: Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Style, Navidad, Textiles | Tags: Celebrate the holidays, Chiapas, Christmas, Mexican folk art, Mexican holidays, Navidad, Textiles Comments Off
Chiapas is a Mexican state east of Oaxaca, south of the Yucatan peninsula and bordering Guatemala. The folk artisans of Chiapas are primarily textile artists and they are some of the most talented weavers and embroiderers in Mexico and perhaps, the world. These Mayan women continue the back strap weaving traditions of their grandparents and great grandparents, creating gorgeous colorful tapestries, huipiles, skirts and all things textile using ancient Mayan symbols and techniques.
Probably the most well-known textiles of Chiapas come from San Andres but these lovely tablecloths and pillows are from a lesser known town, Pantelho. They are elegant and simple in their red and whiteness and incorporate the embroidered Mayan sun into a handwoven cream-colored cotton background.
So beautiful. I love red and white.
Tablecloth available here, pillows available here.
Holiday PopUp Boutique Starts Today!
Posted: November 25, 2011 Filed under: Christmas, Folk Art, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Mexican Jewelry, Navidad, Paper Mache, Religious Folk Art, Textiles, Unique gifts & Jewelry, Wood Carvings | Tags: Christmas, Gifts, GUILD Collective, handmade, Mexican dishes, Mexican jewelry, Mexican silver, Navidad, Ornaments, Religious folk art Comments Off
Holiday PopUp Boutique Arrives Thursday, November 25
Posted: November 17, 2011 Filed under: Christmas, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Religious Folk Art, Unique gifts & Jewelry | Tags: Christmas, Gifts, GUILD Collective, handmade, Mexican dishes, Mexican jewelry, Mexican silver, Navidad, Ornaments, Religious folk art Comments Off
