Hunting for Quality Folk Art in Mexico
Posted: August 22, 2013 Filed under: Clay Ceramics, Folk Art, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Pottery, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Ceramics, handmade, Mexican ceramics, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, mexican style Comments Off on Hunting for Quality Folk Art in MexicoYou may know that I recently returned (last Monday) from a 12 day trip to Mexico. Everyone asks me if I had fun on the trip and I always have to pause just a moment before I say, “Yes, it was fun.” Because it is fun but it is also exhausting, exciting, difficult, frustrating, not relaxing, amazing, delicious, sometimes confusing and did I mention, exhausting? So many people associate Mexico with vacation, that I think it’s hard for people to imagine that I’m not sitting on the beach with a salty Margarita with Fernando!
I travel to Mexico several times a year to purchase folk art for the shop and I try to go somewhere new every time I go and I try to find new artisans every time I go. It’s the new adventures that are the most exhausting. The artisans I’ve visited before, I now know where to find, I’ve figured out the logistics of how to get there, how to pack everything, how to schlep it to the shipper, how to get everything back safely without too much breakage or loss.
But, the new artisans are sometimes much more difficult to find, requiring stopping in corner grocery stores and asking addresses, stopping people on the street and asking if they know so-and-so, driving down narrow cobblestone streets, driving down one-lane streets then having to back out, asking people again where the person lives and then getting answers like, “Oh, he lives in the house with the wood door.” Many of the addresses are something like, Mr. ABC, Calle XYZ, Sin Numero or XYZ Street, Without a Number. It’s not easy, amigos!
But also how rewarding! Many of the artisans I have visited are in very out-of-the-way houses in very out-of-the-way pueblos. The pleasure they have when I arrive (and the amazing warmth and generosity) and the pride of workmanship and of course, the excitement of being able to sell something lovely, more than compensates for the difficulty. And then of course the pleasure that these fine works of folk art give to my customers in the US, is also a great pleasure.
This is a little family that I found after asking 8 people in two towns and 5 different streets. It took an afternoon but as you can see, TOTALLY worth it.
How about you? Have you had any adventures searching for artisans in Mexico?
Sacred Hearts In Mexican Folk Art
Posted: July 25, 2013 Filed under: Folk Art, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican silver jewelry, Milagros, Religious Folk Art, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Gifts, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Mexican jewelry, Mexican silver, mexican style, Religious folk art, silver earrings Comments Off on Sacred Hearts In Mexican Folk Art
The Sacred Heart is one of the most common motifs in religious folk art created in Mexico. The idea is that the physical heart of Jesus is a symbol of his divine love for humanity. The Mexican folk art sacred heart comes in various forms–with flames around it, with a crown, with a dagger through the center and sometimes with a crown of thorns–and all represent the same thing, Jesus’ compassion for humanity. In some Christian paintings it is depicted as a flaming heart shining with divine light, pierced by the lance-wound, encircled by the crown of thorns, topped by a cross and bleeding. The bleeding and wounds and crown of thorns allude to the manner of Jesus’ death while the fire stands for the transformative power of God’s love.
And of course, you know that almost everyone in Mexico is Catholic so these images are commonly seen throughout the country…
Here are a few interpretations of the sacred heart by some of Mexico’s folk artists. The two hearts above, hang on the wall. One is shiny nickel silver (5″ tall) and other is a patina-ed nickel silver or alpaca (7″ tall). They are $38 for the shiny one and $28 for the darker one.
The two sets of earrings below are made of silver and come from Taxco, Mexico. The lovely crowned earrings are $38 and the pendant, $30. The stunning, oxidized earrings with lovebirds and a flaming heart are $78. Click on the photo of the earring to take you to the online store.
Contact us through the form below if you are interested in purchasing the sacred hearts above or anything else!
To see what else we have for sale in the online shop, click here.
What is the Significance of Hands in Mexican Folk Art?
Posted: July 18, 2013 Filed under: Jewelry, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Earrings, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Style, Mexico, Religious Folk Art, Unique gifts & Jewelry, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Alpaca, Folk Art, Frida Kahlo, handmade, mexican artisans, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Mexican jewelry, mexican style, Milagros, Religious folk art, religious iconography, traditional folk art Comments Off on What is the Significance of Hands in Mexican Folk Art?One of the most frequent questions I’m asked in the shop is, “What is the significance of the hand in Mexico?”
Hand motifs do appear in many pieces of jewelry and religious iconography from Mexico and though there is no absolute answer to the question, here are a few ideas.
One of the most obvious answers is that the hand is so important to all of us in terms of making things (hand-made), performing, communicating, praying (especially when 90% of the country is Catholic) and in making us human. This is just as true in Mexico as it is in other places. The heart in the hand (another common image in Mexico) is a traditional folk art motif, associated with the Shakers, the Amish, and the Pennsylvania Dutch. It is widely considered to symbolize charity, or to mean something is “from the heart”. Others consider it to represent friendship, love and truth.
The hand motif in Mexican jewelry probably increased after Pablo Picasso’s gift of the silver hand-shaped earrings to Frida Kahlo in the 1930’s or 40’s. She painted herself in them and many nicho boxes and retablos created around Frida’s image contain those famous paintings. Some Mexican artisans make beautiful hand-shaped earrings.
Here are a few pieces we currently have in the shop that can give you an idea…
Contact us for this lovely wooden hand covered on one side with milagros. It is $58 and measures 7″ by 4.35″ wide.
This beautiful and amazing carved hand is covered on both sides with milagros. It costs $166 and measures 10.5″ tall by 4.5″ wide.
Let the festivities begin! | View From Casita Colibrí
Posted: July 11, 2013 Filed under: Folk Art, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican Holidays, Mexico, Oaxaca, Paper Folk Art, Virgin of Guadalupe | Tags: handmade, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Mexican holidays, Oaxaca, paper folk art, Virgin of Guadalupe 2 CommentsSunday in Tlacolula
Let the festivities begin!
July 11, 2013 by spixl
Monday, we returned to Teotitlán del Valle for the Fiesta titular a la Preciosa Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo — the pueblo’s most important festival of the year. While special masses have been celebrated at the Templo de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo (the village church) since June 30, Monday’s convite (procession) by the unmarried women in the village, kicked off the more public events.
Lovingly decorated canastas (baskets) waited in the church to be reclaimed by their owners, placed on their heads, and carried through the streets.
Crowds gathered in the plaza in front of the church and sidewalks and streets along the route. And then it began — with solemn drum beats, fireworks, church bells, marmotas (cloth balloons on a pole), and a band.
Little boys (and a few girls) carrying model airplanes (don’t ask me why), paper mache lambs, and turkeys followed.
And then came the neatly organized rows of girls and young women.For over an hour they wound their way up and down and around the streets of Teotitlán del Valle. The weather was perfect, no late afternoon thunder showers this year, and it was glorious.
Stay tuned, the festivities continue all week. And, check out Oaxaca-The Year After this week for blogger buddy Chris’s photos and commentary.
via Let the festivities begin! | View From Casita Colibrí.
Delicious Pan Dulce
Posted: July 2, 2013 Filed under: Mexican Food, Mexico | Tags: Mexican Food, Pan Dulce 7 CommentsHere’s an informative post from VIVA NEW YORK CITY about Pan Dulce…In Minneapolis, one place to try these delectables is Marissa’s Panaderia at 28th & Nicollet. Where else do you like to buy Pan Dulce in the Twin Cities?
Delicious Pan Dulce
By soycristina July 2, 2013 bakery coatzingo conchas cuernitos el globo garibaldis grageas las rosas mexican bakery orejas pan dulce pan piedra panaderia tulcingo
Few things in this world are as tempting and inviting as an old-school Mexican panaderia. The piles of freshly baked bread greet you from the display window, and the scents make it impossible not to go in. Over the years, traditional panaderias have become less common, with most people getting their bread from supermarkets and grocery stores. Yet there are still those who prefer going to their neighborhood panaderia, be it for nostalgia, lower prices, or because it just plain tastes better.History tells us that during the (very long) presidency of General Porfirio Diaz, people in Mexico – including Diaz himself – were fascinated by all things French. And so it was that Mexican bakers were inspired by fancy French pastries, and started developing creative recipes for pretty pastries with clever names. These are just a few of the most popular types of pan dulce that we can thank them for.Conchas (shells) are perhaps the most famous and beloved kind of pan dulce. These round pastries are topped with a shell-shapped pattern made of butter and sugar, which is usually white, although there are also chocolate and strawberry variations. Some people like to slice them across the middle and fill them with refried beans, making a sort of concha-sandwich. My grandmother used to love having that for dinner, although I have to admit I haven’t tried it myself.
Image*photo: mexicodesconocido.com
Cuernitos (little horns) are very similar to croissants, but while the French pastries are made with several light layers of dough, cuernitos are made with one single layer, so they are thicker as a result. Cuernitos are great on their own, and they can also be sliced and filled with all kinds of deliciousness, like butter and jelly, tuna salad, or my favorite: ham and American cheese. The slightly sweet flavor of the bread is a perfect counterpart to the salty ham.
Image*photo: taquizaslaexcelencia.com
Orejas (ears) are crispy, flaky cookies made of hojaldre or puff pastry, and they get their name because they’re supposedly shaped like an elephant’s ear. I’ve always thought they they look more like hearts, but anyway… Classic orejas are sprinkled with sugar, but there are also glazed and chocolate-dipped versions.
Image*photo: tumblr.com
Piedras (stones) have a bad reputation. After all, “made from old bread” isn’t exactly a very attractive selling line, is it? But some people love these rock-hard pastries which are in fact, made with scraps and leftovers from other baked goods. That’s why, just like stones, they come in all shapes and sizes, depending on each panaderia’s style. Mostly they look like scones, and piedra fans like them because they’re great for dunking in coffee or hot chocolate.
Image*photo: flickr.com
Colorful grageas are the happiest items at the panaderia. These cookies are quite simple, made with eggs, condensed milk, butter and flour, but the magic comes at the end, when they are covered with grageas (sprinkles) in all the colors of the rainbow. Of course, they’re always a hit with kids… and with those who want to give their milk a trippy look by dipping the cookie in the glass.
Image*photo: flickriver.com
And last but not least, there are Garibaldis (like the Italian general, and not to be confused with British cookies of the same name). Created at the famous Pasteleria El Globo in Mexico, these tiny personal pound cakes are lightly glazed with apricot pulp and then covered with white grageas. While there are also chocolate and multi-color Garibaldis, I personally believe that nothing beats the traditional version. Sadly, this is the only kind of pan dulce that I haven’t yet seen in New York, so if you’ve spotted it someplace, let me know!
Image*photo: theothersideofthetortilla.comPan dulce is comforting and delicious, and no, it doesn’t have to be a distant memory. There are several awesome panaderias in New York that bake and sell these delicious goods that will transport you right back to Mexico with just a bite. Here are some of the best I’ve tried:
– Panaderia Coatzingo in Jackson Heights, Queens.
-Tulcingo : 25-26 Broadway. Astoria, Queens. 11106.
– Las Rosas in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
via Delicious Pan Dulce.
SUMMER SALE at Zinnia Mexican Folk Arts!
Posted: June 29, 2013 Filed under: .925 SIlver, Jewelry, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Earrings, Mexican Jewelry, Mexican silver jewelry, Mexican Textiles, Silver jewelry from Mexico, Textiles, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Jewelry, textile Comments Off on SUMMER SALE at Zinnia Mexican Folk Arts!It’s Summer and time for a sale! These pieces can all be found in the online shop, right here, and everything in these photos and a few other things are 25% OFF! Just enter the code, “Summer25” at the checkout…Check in the Jewelry, Textile, Religious, Mask and Whimsical Sections. If the item is there, it’s still available.
Lacquer Work from Guerrero, Mexico
Posted: June 11, 2013 Filed under: Guerrero, Lacquer, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art | Tags: Guerrero, handmade, Lacquer, Mexican folk art Comments Off on Lacquer Work from Guerrero, MexicoAre you familiar with the incised lacquer work of Mexico? In almost any airport or tourist trap in Mexico you will find the lacquer trays that are multi-colored, incredibly common and (dare I say) ugly.
There are three regions in Mexico known for lacquerware but today I want to show you some exceptional pieces from Guerrero. These examples were handmade in Olinalá, Mexico. The box, tray, or decorative piece is first carved from wood, then sanded to be very smooth, then covered with a layer of laca. Laca is an organic concoction made of insects and/or vegetable oils. It’s called chia. For pieces that are multi-layered, the contrasting colors of laca are layered on the wood piece. After the first layer has dried, which can take weeks, the second layer is applied and it too is allowed to dry. Then the design is etched or scratched out of the second layer (using a turkey quill) permitting the first layer’s color to show through. It take YEARS to become really good at this craft. For me the difference between an artistic piece and one made for the tourist trade is the color combination and the willingness to try something new.
If you look at these pieces you will see that they are amazingly well done. What do you think?
Flowers, flowers everywhere…
Posted: May 21, 2013 Filed under: Folk Art, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Folk Art, Paper Folk Art | Tags: handmade, Mexican folk art, mexican style, paper folk art, tissue paper flowers Comments Off on Flowers, flowers everywhere…“So, why did you name the store, Zinnia Folk Arts?”
Did you know that zinnias are a flower native to Mexico? Zinnias come in lots of different colors and shapes and sizes just like Mexican folk art. I love the image of the zinnia and the possibilities for design and branding. They are annuals in Minnesota (maybe they are everywhere?) and we celebrated our first anniversary by handing out packs of zinnia seeds. We also are sending them to people who purchase something from the online shop through the month of May to celebrate our one year at 50th and Bryant in Minneapolis!
Flowers all types are pretty ubiquitous in Mexico…calla lilies, roses, poinsettas, marigolds…check out the flower markets in Mexico City if you are there. They are stunning! In addition to finding flowers in the fields, markets and homes of Mexico you will find flower images almost everywhere else. Flowers are a common motif in jewelry, in the many painted functional and whimsical objects of clay and wood and really, just about everywhere! And is it me, or do they all look like zinnias?
Ok, I guess these could be called roses. This bag was woven first, then made into a bag and it is really beautiful…
Folk artists also make them from paper. Tissue paper flowers are having a moment–take a look at Pinterest or any wedding blog. If you’re in the Twin Cities, stay tuned for the class we’ll be having at the shop on June 22–we’ll be teaching you how to make beautiful, tissue paper flowers. It will be part of the 50th and Bryant Street Fest from 12-3 that day…more details later!
We have Winners! The Winning Zinnia Folk Art Limericks
Posted: May 7, 2013 Filed under: Mexican Folk Art, Zinnia Folk Arts Shop | Tags: Limerick contest, Mexican crafts, Mexican folk art, Zinnia Folk Arts 2 Comments
WOW! We have winners! I received 44 limericks and they were so excelente! So many funny ones and clever ones and tributes to your love of Mexican folk art..I loved them and I’m thinking you might enjoy reading them too. SO, I’m changing the rules a little bit but in a good way…I’m going to post the top 15 in reverse order. I was looking for a limerick that was good limerick AND could be used as a testimonial, so these are the ones that I thought were the best for that purpose. Everyone did such a great job and I so appreciate the work…
The first place winner may pick one of the four items above and the second place winner can either choose one of the remaining 3 items or a $50 gift certificate. As a thank you to the top 15, you’re eligible for a 10% off gift certificate…contact me with your details and I will either snail mail it to you or make arrangements for you to use online or in the shop...Again, thank you so much for participating. I hope you had as much fun as I did!
Anne
15.
There once was some folk art from Zinnia
They always knew the end from beginnia
From Mexican crafts,
To sharing good laughs.
This shop is the best you can winnia!
Amber Utt
14.
A gentle young lass name of Anne
To Mexico went with a plan
Seek out artists whose art
Was crafted with heart
And thus Zinnia Folk Arts began!
Carole Humphrey (thank you for thinking I am a young lass!)
13.
So inviting you have to go in
Radiant flowers and objects of tin
Masks and textiles divine,
Glass, ceramics sublime
It’s hard to know where to begin!
Carole Humphrey
12.
A shop full of joy to our eyes
Crafts so fine and magnifico buys
Stunning bowls talavera
Grinning skulls calavera
We find treasures that always surprise.
Carole Humphrey
11.
I stopped at Zinnia Folk Arts,
To look at strange men in a cart.
I saw bright paper mache,
And wild things made out of clay.
But t’was a mask that stole my heart.
Neal Anderson
10.
Zinnia’s, such a great place to shop
No other Twin Cities store can top.
The items are endless,
You’ll never leave friendless
How can you pass and not stop?
Lin Staum
9.
One chilly morning on Cinco de Mayo
Folk art I was seeking to buy-o
When I wandered in
Zinnia’s textiles and tin
Were too much for me to deny-o!
Richard Nelson
8.
Mexican art has such style
And “Zinnia” will bring forth a smile.
Something bright, charming, new
For a gift. Or, for YOU!
Lots to see! Plan to browse a lo-o-ong while.
Kathy Coulter
7.
Want unique craft from Mexico?
To Zinnia you must go
The shop is so fine
Inventory divine
With shoppers delight you will glow!
Julie Troutman
6.
A passion for Mexican art
Was how our collection did start
Smiling dogs, lovely pillows
Shining tin, boney fellows
Have all found our way to our hearts.
Carole Humphrey
5.
Sally, a girl of impeccable taste
Considered shopping a nuisance, a waste
When a Zinnia visit
Revealed treasures exquisite
She returned the day after, post haste!
Maureen Welter
4.
We bought our first piece on a whim,
A rooster on 3 dogs who grin
We bought much, much more
From this wonderful store
Now our home’s a fiesta within!
Carole Humphrey
3.
Arts Huichol, Oaxacan and more
We found this gem of a store
Milagros, retablos,
Things Frida, diablos
Y muchos regalos galore!
Carole Humphrey
2.
A chic mademoiselle from Marseilles
Here to shop at our huge MOA
Could not find what she wanted
Kept searching undaunted
Til at Zinnia she shouted, “Ole!”
Maureen Welter
1.
Zinnia Folk Arts, a place we adore
Exquisite from ceiling to floor
With color abounding
And art so astounding
We keep coming back searching for more!
Carole Humphrey
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
Zinnia Folk Arts 