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
The Virgin of Guadalupe and Mexican Folk Art
Posted: December 12, 2012 Filed under: Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Mexican Style, Religious Folk Art, Unique gifts & Jewelry, Virgin of Guadalupe | Tags: basilica of guadalupe, handmade, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Mexican holidays, mexican style, Religious folk art, Santos, Virgin of Guadalupe Comments OffIn Mexico, December 12 is the Fiesta of la Virgen de Guadalupe. Pilgrims from all over Mexico walk, ride buses, drive, ride bikes and even walk on their knees to arrive at the Basilica of Guadalupe that was built on the hill where Juan Diego saw the Virgin three times in the 1500′s. The tilma that was seen by Juan Diego is preserved in the Basilica and many, many people make pilgrimages to see it and to pray for help of all kinds. But it’s not just in Mexico City that people remember and celebrate her today–it’s everywhere in the country.
Guadalupe is a world-famous icon of the Virgin Mary. She is fondly known as the “Queen of Mexico.” Her image can be found everywhere in Mexico. She’s recognizable by the golden rays that surround her image and by the little cherub at her feet.
Here’s a photo of the original Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Yes, it’s sinking! That’s partly why a new Basilica was built to the left of this photo. I like the old one better.
Light a candle and leave it outside one of several chapels on the Tepeyac Hill.
We carry 5″ tall Lux Candles. Take off the tissue paper and the lid, light it and wait for the image to be illuminated by the flame (it will take a while).
Folk artists use her image in every imaginable way and express their love and admiration for her through their media.
This is the Virgen de Guadalupe according to the Purepecha people of Michoacan. The whimsical Guadalupe wall plaque was made in Ocumicho.
Wooden bateas (carved trays) painted with the Virgin’s image come from Michoacan. These are decorative and are meant to be hung on the wall or set in a holder for display.
This is a reverse glass painting of la Virgen. The technique is an old-fashioned one but is being revived by a Mexico City artist, Manuel Bauman.
This is a large and lovely retablo with many saints on wood and painted in Michoacan. Available in the shop or by email!
This gorgeous tin cross decorated on the inside with Guadalupe and the symbolic roses comes from Oaxaca. Available in the shop or by email!
Nickel Silver earrings with the image of the Virgin available here.
And of course decorative boxes! These are especially lovely and very unique. They are from Mexico City. Available in the shop or by email.
Nativity Scenes from Mexico
Posted: December 4, 2012 Filed under: Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Religious Folk Art, Christmas, Navidad, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop, Mexican Crafts | Tags: Mexican folk art, Mexican art, Mexican holidays, Religious folk art, mexican style, handmade, Celebrate the holidays, Navidad, Christmas, Ornaments, Mexican crafts, Mexican Christmas, Mexican Christmas ornaments 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!
Our Shop is Open!
Posted: May 20, 2012 Filed under: Folk Art, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Jewelry, Mexican Pottery, Paper Mache, Religious Folk Art, Santos, Textiles, The Shop, Unique gifts & Jewelry, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Alpaca, Frida Kahlo, Josefina Aguilar, Margarita Fick, Mexican ceramics, Mexican dishes, Mexican folk art, Mexican jewelry, mexican style, paper folk art, paper mache, Religious folk art, Textiles, Wood Carvings Comments OffCome visit us and put a smile on your face…Celebrate the joy of the great country of Mexico… See the ART in folk art!
We’re open Tuesday-Friday 11-6, Saturdays 10-5
Closed on Sunday & Monday
612-824-4342
www.ZinniaFolkArts.com
Red Package Amulets or “Protecciones” from Mexico
Posted: May 8, 2012 Filed under: Mexican Folk Art, Religious Folk Art, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Mexican folk art, mexican style, Religious folk art Comments Off
Shiny red and gold packages, wrapped in cellophane, containing a horseshoe wrapped in colorful rayon thread and decorated with sequins, plant materials, symbolic objects, glitter and always a small print of a saint (usually San Martin Caballero) are one of the many religious folk art charms that keep many Mexicans safe. They are designed to attract good luck and keep evil at bay and are hung over the door, in the glove compartment of the car, placed on a shrine or wherever one might need a little luck. On the back of most of them is a photocopied prayer or incantation called, “El Secreto de la Virtuoso Herradura.”
Stop in to the new shop after May 18th to see our current selection of large to small protecciones and add a little more “protection” to your life!
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 OffUnpacking 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 OffHere’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!
New Carved Wood Hearts covered in Milagros
Posted: April 13, 2012 Filed under: Mexican Style, Mexico, Milagros, Religious Folk Art | Tags: Mexican folk art, Milagros, Religious folk art Comments OffHola! Just received a shipment of new hearts covered in milagros…some with beautiful golden wings, others are smaller or larger than we usually carry.
Check them out on our website, right here!
Palm Sunday Folk Art
Posted: April 1, 2012 Filed under: Mexican Holidays, Palm Sunday | Tags: Domingo de Ramos, Mexican folk art, Mexican holidays, Natural Fibers, Religious folk art 1 Comment »


Mexico City Witches Market
Posted: February 3, 2012 Filed under: Mexico, Religious Folk Art | Tags: centro historico, curandero, Folk Art, Markets, mexican style, mexico city, Religious folk art 1 Comment »


Sonora Market, also known as the “Witches Market,” is not far from the Centro Historico in Mexico City. It’s the place to go if you’re looking for ingredients to make a cure for an ailment, buy amulets to ward off or attract spirits, or to purchase a “limpia” or a “cleaning” from a curandero to get rid of the bad spirits. I went to see if there was anything interesting, and of course, like all markets in Mexico City, one can find just about ANYTHING!








































