Signed by Josephina, Too!

Musings from the February 2011 Chiripa buying trip to Mexico.

Lizards have become a symbol of Chiripa. The colorful carved creatures have brightened our walls since we opened in 2006 and we have often used them in advertising to help identify the business. They are a popular item at Chiripa and now climb the walls of dozens of homes in Madison and beyond. 

Oscar prepares our selection for shipping.
 

Most of our lizards have had the artist's signature: Oscar Carillo, Arrazola, Oaxaca, Mexico. But Oscar is just half of the story. Oscar carves the playful creatures from copal, a soft wood abundant in that area. His wife, Josephina Morales adds the colorful painted designs. It is often the bright colors and exact details that draw a person to one lizard over another.

Josephina poses with a favorite.

A while ago a customer commented on the signature and asked if perhaps we couldn't encourage the family business to add Josephina's name to the art. I did just that in February when we visited Oscar and Josephina's workshop.

I wish I had had my camera out to capture the big grin on Josephina's face. She quickly picked up a fine pen and added her name to the pieces we selected. 

I hope that she continues to take credit for the fine work that she does. -kl

The doorway to the gallery and workshop in Arrazola.
 

From the streets of Arrazola one can see the ruins of Monte Alban in the distance.

I was taken by the colorful chickens this year. Stop in to see them!

The Paper Chase

Musings from the February, 2011 Chiripa buying trip.

These days, the city of Puebla depends heavily on the production of German cars (Volkswagens). But in the old colonial heart of the city, the buildings speak of a different age.  The imposing cathedral, started in 1550 (just 60 years after Columbus), features the tallest bell towers in Latin America.
 

Puebla is a magnificent, refined city – more Spanish in character than some cities in Mexico. It is here that the highest quality (and most expensive) Talavera ceramics are made. The exterior walls of many colonial buildings are covered with Talavera tiles that glow in the morning light.

Last night we were looking for humbler, but still beautiful, items – brightly colored paper lanterns that create a warm and festive glow wherever they are hung. In Mexico, the lanterns are traditionally used during the Christmas season (Navidad), but you can use them any time. On a warm Spring evening, they will add magic to your patio.

We weren’t having much luck with our search, until a passerby came to our rescue. She was a high school math teacher, on her way to the conservatory where her daughter was taking flute lessons. Like most teachers, she was smart, friendly, helpful and dedicated. She knew just where the lanterns could be found, and offered to take us there – even though it was far out of her way.

She set off at a brisk pace, chatting the whole time. The streets were filled with pedestrians poking into dozens of little specialty shops that offered ceramics, hardware, shoes, dresses, household goods and candy (special dulces for which Puebla is famous). Many of the shops sold paper, but not the special lanterns that were the object of our quest.  Fortunately, the friendly teacher guided us to exactly right place, a hardware store – and there we found the illumination we sought. Thank you teachers!

The Tale of Another Shipment from Mexico

We are always thrilled to receive delivery of the items we purchase on our buying trips for Chiripa. You may also know that it’s never smooth sailing. Here’s how the delivery unfolded in mid-May:

After the usual month-or-two delay from the scheduled date, we were informed the delivery would be made from a 55-foot semi truck with no lift gate (to lower boxes to the ground). The delivery time was set for Thursday morning, after rush hour on South Park Street. OK, we’ll round up the guys and make sure all hands are ready. Maybe we can negotiate the truck into the Chiripa parking lot so we can unload directly into the garage.

The driver calls at 11 am on Wednesday; he’s an hour away. Quick! Find the other partners and get them to the shop! Chase away the drivers who want to park in the spaces in front of Chiripa’s garage. Chase away the police officer who stopped to inquire about a neighborhood business.

There’s no way Albert, the driver from Laredo, can back that huge truck to the garage. Great...we’ll have to unload boxes onto the street in front of the shop. Chase away the car that just parked in front of Chiripa.

Chiripa’s boxes are packed w-a -y in the front of the container, all fifty-five feet from the door.  Get Beth and Albert into the trailer to start moving boxes down to Jim and Jim on the street. Kathryn, keep an eye on the shop while helping coax some furniture and boxes through the front door. It starts to sprinkle rain. Jim and Jim use dollies to transport the boxes from the street through the mist and into the garage, stacking them high. We all continue hoisting and carrying for about an hour.

Finally, the truck is empty. Whew! Everything – and everyone – seems unscathed after the experience. We thank Albert for his help and he heads on to his next job. Chiripa’s next job?  Unpacking all the boxes. -BAR