Silver Mexican Earrings Made by the Mazahua
Posted: March 6, 2013 Filed under: .925 SIlver, Jewelry, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Jewelry, Mexican silver jewelry, Silver jewelry from Mexico | Tags: Mazahua, Mexican folk art, Mexican jewelry, Mexican silver, mexican style, silver earrings Comments OffThere are some amazing silver artisans in the Mazahua area of Mexico, northwest of Mexico City. They have been making earrings for a very long time. They were deeply influenced by the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 1500′s. When Spanish women arrived in Mexico they brought many new jewelry styles but in particular a style of earring that was crescent-shaped (arracada) and often wrapped in silver or gold. These styles took root in Mexican silver jewelry making and continue to this day.
One Mazahua silversmith told the author of an article on Mazahua earrings in Artes de Mexico, the meaning of the silver earrings. He said, “The stones symbolize the bright star that comes out at around four or five in the morning. The doves represent the husband going out into the fields to work, and his wife getting up to make atole. The flowers and leaves refer to the countryside, to nature. And the lines are the rays of the Sun.”
When the artisans learn to make these intricate earrings, they practice on less expensive metals such as copper and brass. Once they master the technique, they start using silver wire and silver sheets. To this day the elder artisans teach the younger. Unfortunately, not as many young people are so interested in carrying on the tradition. Like so many types of folk art, the Mazahua earring is at risk of dying out.
All of these earrings are .925 or 92.5% silver. Click on the photograph and you will be taken to the website. If you get a message saying, “This product is no longer available” that means they have been sold. So hurry!
New Mexican Silver Jewelry from Taxco And Other Places!
Posted: October 16, 2012 Filed under: .925 SIlver, Guatemala, Huichol, Jewelry, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Earrings, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Jewelry, Mexican silver jewelry, Silver jewelry from Mexico, Unique gifts & Jewelry | Tags: Arracada, handmade, Mazahua lovebirds, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Mexican jewelry, Mexican silver, Mexican Silver Earrings, Mexican Silver Jewelry, silver earrings Comments Off
Ok, it’s not ALL Mexican jewelry. The bead bracelets are from Guatemala–a very nice young man stopped in the shop with some beautiful bead work bracelets and I bought a few to see how they would sell. They are available right here. But if you’re looking for even nicer bead bracelets from Mexico, the handwork of the Huichol Indians is (in my mind) unsurpassed. Those exquisite and super liquid-y designs are right here but not in the above photo.
The slightly more contemporary designs of a Oaxacan arracada (bottom left corner and top right corner) are from another person who dropped into the shop, a Mexican-American woman visiting Minneapolis from Los Angeles. They are .925 silver and are beautiful. Fancy but not over the top. Those are available right here.
The lavender sachet is lovely and I bought a bunch of them in Guanajuato. They are embroidered and then some old Mexican coins are attached at the corner. Lovely gifts available here.
In the middle right box are a pair of Mazahua earrings with kissing lovebirds and a single drop. They are from just outside Mexico City and are a tried and true every day earring. The kissing birds are very typical of Mazahua earrings and they represent love, peace and serenity. Available here.
All of the others I purchased on my last trip to Mexico in Taxco. Some are traditional motifs and some are a twist on the traditional. One of them is an Aztec design combined with dangles to make a more contemporary earring. They are all sterling silver and they are all for pierced ears. Click on the following to find them:
Filigree Dangle, Upper left corner
Winged Birds with Dangles, Upper Middle (contact me, I forgot to put them on the website)
Oxidized Silver Sacred Hearts, Middle left
Aztec Motif with Dangles, Lower Middle
As always if you have any questions, please contact me below!
Saludos, Anne
Handmade Silver Jewelry from Mexico
Posted: August 19, 2012 Filed under: .925 SIlver, Jewelry, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Earrings, Mexican Jewelry, Mexican Style, Unique gifts & Jewelry | Tags: handmade, Mexican crafts, Mexican jewelry, Mexican silver, silver earrings Comments Off
Here are a few photos of our latest shipment of silver beauties from Mexico. Some of these pieces can be purchased from the website. If you’re interested in the others you can send me an email with an inquiry.
All of them are in the shop at 826 West 50th, Minneapolis, MN…612-824-4342…Gracias!
Mexican Silver Jewelry On It’s Way to the New Folk Art Shop
Posted: April 23, 2012 Filed under: .925 SIlver, Frida Kahlo, Mexican Earrings, Mexican Jewelry, Unique gifts & Jewelry | Tags: .925 Silver, Frida Kahlo, Mexican jewelry, Mexican silver, mexican style, silver earrings Comments Off
Here’s another sneak peek of some of the lovely .925 silver earrings we’ll have in the shop when we open…the prices range from $140-$200 for beautiful, handmade silver earrings. Enjoy!
The earrings are available right here...
More Mexican Jewelry Gift Ideas
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: .925 SIlver, Jewelry, Mexican Earrings, Mexican Folk Art, Textiles, Unique gifts & Jewelry | Tags: Alpaca, filagree, handmade, Mexican folk art, Mexican jewelry, Mexican silver, sacred hearts, silver earrings 1 Comment »
Christmas is right around the corner so, for you jewelry aficionados, here are a few ideas at different prices.
From left to right starting in the top row:
1. Silver Filagree, $75
2. Silver Open Heart with Dangles, $74.50
3. Silver Earrings with Dragons, $75
4. Alpaca Hand Earrings, $18
5. Lucha Libre Mask Necklace, $18
6. Stunning Silver with Pearl Earrings $95
7. Silver Hummingbird with Red Bead $70
8. Alpaca Sacred Hearts Earrings, $18
9. Alpaca Bracelet, Small, $32
If you’re looking for something in particular, be sure to send us a note and we’ll check to see if we have it!
