Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico

We bused from Guadalajara to Patzcuaro via Morelia. The bus system in Mexico is wonderful. Every city has a depot and there are frequent options for just about anywhere. The only downside is that the first class buses sometimes show violent US-made movies that are hard to block out. This trip's movies weren't too bad.


I love details in architecture and "our" room at the Los Escudos Hotel in Patzcuaro has a wonderful brick ceiling and painted details on the walls. We stayed for five days in Patzcuaro so I'll give you more details about the city later.

One of our favorite contacts in Mexico is Barro Sin Plomo (Clay Without Lead)/Echery Pottery. BSP is the non-profit organization that began working with Michoacan potters about ten years ago to remove the lead from their processes. Echery is the distribution arm that gets the lead-free products to market. (Most of the pottery on our website comes from Echery.)

We first met BSP staff Anna and Dirceau two years ago at Enart in Tlaquepaque. It was a perfect match. We wanted lead-free pottery and they wanted more US customers. Anna has moved back to the US to become more active in fundraising for BSP while Dirceau and his brothers Victor and Mitch plus a couple more work hard to make the business end of things work. We're greeted as friends by this energetic group of young people.

One new Echery account has everyday restaurant dinnerware being prepared for a shipment to the US. The yard is full of plates and bowls and casseroles.

Beth helps out with the glazing and Mitch and Victor load the kiln. Not everyone pitches in.


Here Spot (I can't remember the Spanish name, but it translated to "Spot.") takes a rest among the pottery.

On this trip Dirceau has agreed to take time to drive us out to meet some of the local potters. Victor helps plan the route. (Notice the bowl on the table. You can see one similar on our website.)

The next few posts will highlight some of those meetings. Come back soon.