Taxco Silver Bracelet

Here’s a little taste of the beauty that is Mexican silver. This lovely, Mexican designed bracelet was handmade in Taxco, Mexico by a young silversmith. It’s slender but solid .925 Sterling. And it has a great clasp. Available in the online shop. Click on the photo to take you there!

Day of the Dead Calaca Serving Pan Dulce

Posted: January 12, 2014 | Author: Zinnia Folk Arts | Filed under: Mexican Folk Art | Tags: Calaca, Day of the Dead, Mexican Craft, Mexican folk art | Comments Off

This charming paper mache Day of the Dead folk art figure was made by the Bobadilla brothers of Mexico City. I’ve talked about these brothers before because they are so good at capturing the joy the deceased spirits feel when they return for their annual visit during Dia de los Muertos…always smiling and participating in the activities of life that they enjoyed when they were alive! This skeleton fellow loves pan dulce–don’t we all?

I am not the only one recognizing their talent. Their recognizable style and quality pieces are found in several museums throughout Mexico.

Eloy Santiago Wood Carving, Oaxaca, Mexico

Posted: January 11, 2014 | Author: Zinnia Folk Arts | Filed under: Mexican Folk Art | Tags: Eloy Santiago, Mexican Craft, Mexican folk art, Mexican wood carvings, Oaxaca wood carving | Comments Off

Another exquisite Mexican wood carving from Eloy Santiago of La Union, Oaxaca. This one-of-a-kind piece is a father and son on their way to market with a load of chickens on one side and piglets on the other. Eloy always captures the whimsy of Mexico’s rural life with his wonderful carving and vibrant painting.

Click on the photo for more details!

Frida Kahlo Painting, “The Two Fridas”

Posted: January 11, 2014 | Author: Zinnia Folk Arts | Filed under: Mexican Folk Art | Tags: Day of the Dead, Frida Kahlo, Mexican Craft, Mexican folk art, Papel Mache | Comments Off

This is a unique piece of Frida Kahlo and Day of the Dead inspired Mexico folk art! It is made of paper mache, fabric, wood and colored pencil. One of the pieces is, “The Two Fridas” and the other is, “Frida With Monkeys.” The colored pencil drawings are as amazing as the papel mache Fridas…Click on the photo to take you to the Online Shop. Enjoy!

Mexican Nativity Scenes

Posted: December 6, 2013 | Author: Zinnia Folk Arts | Filed under: Christmas, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Navidad, Religious Folk Art | Tags: Christmas, Mexican folk art, Nacimiento, Nativity Set, Navidad, Oaxaca, Wood Carvings | Comments Off

Do you know someone who collects Nativities? Or someone who collects Nativities from all over the world? If you have someone on your list who loves Nativities, we’ve got you covered. Here are just a few of the many we have in our shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you’d like to purchase one of these nacimientos, click on the photo to purchase through the Zinnia Folk Arts Online Shop.

Mexican Nativity Scenes or “Nacimientos” come in all sizes and in all media. The also come in various numerical configurations–five to twenty-five!

This is a very sweet and very tiny nacimiento made in Puebla, Mexico. There are 20 super tiny pieces (tallest is slightly over 1″) including the lovely Christmas cactus and lots of animals. The whole amazingly detailed set (and its “gold” tray) can be yours for $28.

This small nacimiento or nativity has 14 pieces and the tallest piece is about 2″ tall. It is made of clay and the little animals are all lying down. Jesus has his little hands waving in the air. Every piece is decorated in red. $42. Handmade in Mexico.

This is a charming nativity set carved and painted by the Santiago family in La Union, Oaxaca. The tallest piece (the angel) measures about 5.25″ tall. The carving is elegantly simple and the painting, bright and colorful. There are 10 pieces. Very unique and a lovely piece of Mexican folk art.

This is a stunning, large, wooden carved and painted 11 piece nativity set by Roberta Angeles, sister of Jacobo Angeles. They live in San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca. The pieces range in size from about 6″ to 9″. Each piece is painted in great detail. And the carving is exquisite. A beautiful set.

Do you have any questions? Or are you looking for another type of nacimiento? Send us an email with your questions!

Frida Kahlo Christmas Ornament

Posted: November 24, 2013 | Author: Zinnia Folk Arts | Filed under: Christmas, Frida Kahlo, Navidad | Tags: Christmas, Frida Kahlo, Gifts, Navidad | Comments Off

This is a beautiful glass ornament depicting Mexico’s most famous artist, Frida Kahlo. Yes, she has likely exceeded the popularity of Diego Rivera, Siquieros and many other men of her time. The ornament was hand-blown and hand-painted in Krakow, Poland. It measures about 9″ tall and adds a little vida to any Christmas tree. Click on the photo or available here.

Mexican Folk Art Christmas Tree Decorations

Posted: November 20, 2013 | Author: Zinnia Folk Arts | Filed under: Christmas, Folk Art, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Navidad, Oaxaca, Tin | Tags: Celebrate the holidays, Christmas, handmade, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Navidad, Tin, Wood Carvings | Comments Off

It’s early, I know, but people are already buying Christmas tree ornaments in the Minneapolis shop! We have some very unique decorations and some of them are online. They are all handmade. That means they were not made by the millions by a machine. No, they were actually designed and made by hand, painted by hand and have all of the charm of bigger pieces of Mexican folk art but in a smaller size. And they come from different cities and artisans all over Mexico. Click on the photo to take you to the online shop!

Wood carved animalitos from La Union, Oaxaca.

Cute lacquered airplanes and pilots as a Mexican Christmas ornament handmade in Guerrero.

The star-shaped pinata shows up everywhere in Mexico during the Christmas season. These small straw pinatas decorated with yarn are pretty individually or linked together in a chain.

Festive and colorful woven palm leaf Christmas ornaments. These come in a cluster of 12 and can be separated or left together.

Beautiful tin musicians from Oaxaca, Mexico. These are 9″ tall and beautifully made. Unique.

Have a question? Send us an email…

Zinnia Folk Arts on Tumblr

Posted: November 17, 2013 | Author: Zinnia Folk Arts | Filed under: Mexican Folk Art | Tags: Folk Art, Mexican ceramics, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, mexican style, mexico | Comments Off

Have you followed Zinnia Folk Arts on Tumblr? We actively post photographs of folk art and the great country of Mexico there almost every day…so if like the visual side of this blog or enjoy the color and vitality of Mexico, please follow us there! It’s much faster for me to post there too, now that the brick and mortar shop is getting busy for the holidays. Take a look!

Build a Day of the Dead Ofrenda to Honor your Departed Loved Ones

Posted: September 27, 2013 | Author: Zinnia Folk Arts | Filed under: Day of the Dead, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Sugar Skulls, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Day of the Dead, Mexican folk art, Mexican holidays, papel picado, sugar skulls, Zinnia Folk Arts Minneapolis MN | Comments Off

I wrote this last year but it’s still current! The only thing I want to add is:
1. We’re building a community ofrenda in the shop this year. Bring or email your photos of loved ones (or pets) to info@zinniafolkarts.com to be included in the ofrenda.
2. We’re offering some fun craft projects on Saturday, October 26, 2013 for adults and kids to decorate the ofrenda–make paper flowers & terracotta skulls that are similar to sugar skulls
3. I’m doing my “What is Day of the Dead” presentation on Friday, November 1 from 6-7:30 at the shop, 826 West 50th. Space is limited so you must register at info@zinniafolkarts.com.
Enjoy!

Zinnia Folk Arts

Are you unsure about how to build an ofrenda for the upcoming Days of the Dead? Here are a couple of examples from one of my trips to Mexico during Dia de los Muertos. Every ofrenda is unique and personal so don’t worry about whether you are doing it correctly or not. The main idea is to make an inviting altar that will entice the spirits of your departed loved ones to return to enjoy a few hours with you over November 1 and 2. Mexicans believe the smells of the flowers, food and copal incense are especially enticing. And the color of orange and magenta is traditional throughout Mexico. So here are a few ideas of what to include:

1. Marigolds: the color and smell of marigolds is believed to attract the spirits. But if you live in a northern climate, like I do, the marigolds are long…

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Handwoven Bird Masks

Posted: August 29, 2013 | Author: Zinnia Folk Arts | Filed under: Chiapas, Folk Art, Masks | Tags: Folk Art, global style, handmade, Masks, Mexican Baskets | Comments Off

These amazing bird masks were purchased at an art fair in Chiapas. But, you’re thinking, these don’t look like Mexican masks. They look more Central American. And, guess what? You’re right. There is a mask maker from Costa Rica living in Chiapas making these incredible, one-of-a-kind pieces. They use a weaving technique more commonly seen in baskets. The color combinations, the design of the heads, those incredible beaks…all created by an artisan with a beautiful vision. These are unusual and would make a fantastic collection. They are available in the Zinnia Folk Arts online shop or click on the photo to take you there.