The Next Generation

Musings from the Feb 2011 Chiripa buying trip to Mexico.

After breakfast, we visit our friends at D’Casa Ceramics. In their home workshop, the Castro family makes the fine, stoneware that you can find at Chiripa. Enrique, the veteran proprietor, worries about the general state of affairs in Mexico and the world, but is very happy that his son (also named Enrique) is now helping to run the business.  

Enrique, Sr., takes pleasure in showing us the craft that he has learned over many years, and discloses to us his secret glaze formula (no lead) which he has hand-written in pencil. 

 Enrique explains that he personally perfected his unique designs and techniques based on years of experience, including many experiments and “fracasos” (failures). There are no “fracasos” now, and the Enrique’s work shows a master’s dedication to beauty, quality and durability.

This year we found the painter working on our "house" pattern: Rosy. 

You can see the finished product on our website. Click on the image below.

Hard Times

Text from JM's log on the Feb/March 2010 Chiripa buying trip to Mexico. Photo captions by Kathryn.

February 20, 2010 – HARD TIMES

“We may have to shut down if things don’t improve.” Like many other artisans, Enrique is deeply concerned about current economic conditions. He and his wife Gloria run D’Casa Ceramics, a small workshop that produces hand-crafted Talavera-style ceramics. Each piece requires hours of careful hand painting. The ceramics are then fired at high temperature to produce a durable and exquisite product.

The showroom/office at D'Casa Ceramics, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Enrique engages the guys while Gloria figures our total in the background.

The artists work in the back room painting patterns on stoneware.

Their fine brushes are made from squirrel tails.

Enrique and Gloria worry about their small family of talented painters, who rely on them for a steady wage. (Enrique showed us the ceramic jar that held the wages to be paid that afternoon.) If Enrique and Gloria are forced to shut down, the world will be a poorer and less beautiful place. Chiripa is helping to sustain this handcraft tradition. You can share in the beauty, and keep the tradition alive!

Another painter working on a very detailed platter.

The completed piece waits to be fired.

We sell this platter at Chiripa and online.

Other pieces in the Rosy (teal) and Imperial (blue) patterns.
Stop at the shop to see what's on hand.