"Gift Shows" in Mexico

It's no secret that the staff of retail specialty shops attend gift shows to find most of their merchandise. The look of a shop is determined by the "eye" of the buyer. Mexico has it's share of gift shows and a couple of them cater to handcrafted art and decor. We at Chiripa are always hopeful that we might find a new source of product when we attend one of these shows. Our preferred buying method is to go to the source, the people who make the product; but, that's not always possible.


The foremost handcraft show in Mexico is ENART held twice a year in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. The exposition is held in this impressive structure of interlocking rooms and courtyards.

We've met wonderful people there who have continued to be our suppliers. We sometimes visit their workshops to meet the artists crafting the products. This is how we first met the owners of D'Casa described in the post dated August 2008.

This past February we attended a COFOCE exposition featuring artisan crafts of the state of Guanajuato. It was held in San Miguel de Allende which is one of our frequent stops when shopping in Mexico. So, we decided to give it a try.


The setting was enchanting. The exposition hall was a converted hacienda with fabulous gardens and courtyards that enhanced the goods for sale. (Remember, this was February when back home in Madison, Wisconsin it was sub-zero with blizzard conditions.) We found a couple new sources for products and met one of our regular vendors at this show. I'll post stories of some when I have the product in house and can show it better. But, the following picture is a preview of one of our new products: the traditional ceramic hanging peppers.


We like to share our sources because ultimately we want more people to appreciate the beautiful crafts of Mexico. The earrings in the next photo are an example of a product that we buy at ENART. We love the designs of Francisco Sanchez Sahagun sold through his company Citlali. Their website is lovely, but you cannot buy online. We have a good supply in the shop right now and a few samples of his work in the jewelry section of our webisite. If you enter the word "Citlali" in the search field, you'll get just those pieces.


Meanwhile, it's April 16 and we're still waiting for all of the product we ordered in February to come together in Guadalajara to be shipped here. Patience. I must be patient. . .

Dichroic Glass Jewelry

Chiripa has offered dichroic glass jewelry since we opened in 2006. Customers love the vibrant colors and iridescent sparkle set against high quality sterling silver. On our last buying trip to Mexico (Feb 2009) we visited the family workshop where the glass is made.

We found the business tucked in a neighborhood of Guadalajara. This was definitely a taxi-ride from our downtown hotel. We had communicated ahead of the trip that we planned to visit on this day. Unfortunately, our contact was in the U.S. when we arrived.

But, Edith (who speaks English) took charge; and, after verifying our identity, we were let in to the bustling business. Workers were firing glass in one room, finishing pendants and bracelets in another, photographing product to place on their website, and working on new packaging designs.

We set to work selecting new pieces for Chiripa. We (and you) can also order online from Mexico925, but it's fun to meet the people who produce the jewelry. And, I could work much faster pouring over bags (yes, plastic bags-full) of pendants and earrings and bracelets and rings.

We offer a few of their designs on our website and a large selection on display at the shop.

Huichol Yarn Paintings and Beadwork

This is the first in the series of posts reporting on the artists and places we visited in February of 2009. The Chiripa partners ventured into new territory on this buying trip: Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. Our quest was to get closer to the source of Huichol artwork. The Huichol people create intricate yarn paintings that depict their world view. Below is one piece (14" x 14") we shipped to Chiripa.


In addition to yarn paintings they carve wooden figures, cover the wood (or clay, in some cases) with beeswax, and then enbed colorful glass beads in the wax with painstaking detail. In the pictures below you can see how the artists picks up the beads with a needle and places them one by one on the carved piece.


We were disappointed to learn that the Huichol cultural center we had hoped to visit was temporarily closed. We were able to amuse ourselves visiting the artists working and selling in their designated block. The man below is making beaded jewelry.


Most of our buying took place at the state-run (DIF) shop that supports the Huichol people.


If you are ever in Tepic, you will find a fine selection of yarn paintings, beaded figures, clothing, books and more. The address is Av. Mexico exquina con Abasolo, Palacio de Gobierno, Tepic, Nayarit. Phone 01 311 216 99 17.

If you can't make it to Tepic, visit Chiripa in Madison, Wisconsin

Safe

Since we returned from Mexico (a Chiripa buying trip) the most frequently asked question is, "Did you feel safe?" I enthusiastically reply, "Of course!" I've heard that there are State Department warnings about the dangers in Mexico and I don't doubt that there are some places with major problems. However, we never felt unsafe, not even uncomfortable.

We travel in places less frequented by tourists. Generally we travel inland by bus, avoiding the beach resort areas. As I wander through city centers at night I often see families and older people. The streets are not deserted, they are alive with the activity of communities that thrive on social interactions in social gathering places like the zocalo.


These central park areas provide a glimpse of the people of a community. I love to sit and watch the activities. (There was precious little time for sitting and watching on this trip!) Besides the walkers and sitters you'll see vendors with balloons and toys,


with food,

with a shine for your shoes,

with artwork, with music, and with small crafts. The sounds and smells mix well with the perfectly balmy weather.

One night in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajato we were crossing the zocalo to find a restaurant when I was "egged" twice. I had watched this strange custom in the past, but wasn't prepared to be the recipient of the cracked shell, flour, and confetti that rained down my hair. A couple young boys (who were taller than me), cracked the colorfully died, hollowed, and filled eggs on my head. It was a surprise, but all in good fun. I shook it off and wondered about the significance of the act. In questioning some Mexican friends I didn't get a full reply. Just that it's something that young people do. (If you know the origins please post a reply.)

Well, we're back. We're still tired. And we're filled with wonder at the imensely diverse country of Mexico who's traditional crafts have become our calling. In the next few months I'll post photos and information about the places we visited and the artists we met. -- Kathryn

Late Mexico Update

For those of you checking on on this blog I just want to let you know that things are going well. We´ve covered lots of ground and found new product and connected with old friends. It´s been incredibly hard to find a computer. When I´m "free" I´m on a bus or sleeping.

We are now in Patzcuaro, a favorite place in the state of Michoacan. Our last stop was Cuetzalan in the state of Puebla. We spent 12.5 hours on 4 buses getting from one to the other.

I´ll post details and photos from the trip when I get back to Chiripa.

Kathryn

Next Trip

New Year's Day 2009 at Chiripa, Madison, Wisconsin.

Madison had a timely dose of snow this morning. (Although, it was nothing like what we got at on New Year's Day pictured above.) It covered the dirty piles of snow and reminded me that we still have a lot of winter left. Lucky for me some of the Chiripa crew is leaving for a buying trip to Mexico; and I'm one of those leaving.

This trip will focus on central Mexico with a quick exploratory trip to the state of Nayarit where the Huichol people make their incredible beaded figures and yarn paintings. We'll also visit Tlaquepaque, Jalisco and San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.

Beyond that will depend on time and circumstances. We know we will end in Patzcuaro, Michoacan and fly out of Morelia. I will try to post periodically to this blog. Last time I was not able to upload photos, but maybe I'll have better luck this time.

I'm anxious to travel. I don't know if it's the long hard Midwest winter or just my need to explore some new places, but I'm more than ready. I'm also looking forward to seeing friends and business associates who we've met along the way. And picking out product is always fun. What recession?

Kathryn

Our stone iguana planter is getting tired of being buried in snow!

The Greeting Card Dilemma

In an effort to provide a complete shopping experience I decided from the beginning to include greeting cards at Chiripa. I made an assumption that I could find bilingual cards. AND, I wanted something that would tie in with the "artisan crafts" that we feature.

I found cards produced in Mexico with historic Mexican images--blank inside.


cards from Queretaro, Mexico with hand painted silk panels--lovely, but blank inside;


and even some US cards with Mexican themes--also, blank inside. I began hounding sales reps for greeting card distributors at gift shows. Nothing, until last month when I received a call. Leanin' Tree had paid attention to my plea (and a few others I suspect). A new line of Spanish language cards had been in production for two years. They were proud to announce the launch. How could I not order the package complete with spinner?


The cards have nice messages in Spanish with the English translation on the back. Here's a sample:
Deseandote un dia tan bello y perfecto, que parezca haber sido hecho especialmente para ti. Feliz Cumpleanos
(Wishing you a day so perfectly beautiful, you feel as though it has been created especially for you. Happy Birthday.)

I think these cards will be a great way to support Spanish language classes and learners. I'm also hoping the Spanish-speaking community will like them.

But they still lack the "artisan craft" angle that I want. Maybe we'll have to create our own cards with images of the beautiful crafts we carry at Chiripa. We'll see. . .

In the near future I'll be off to Mexico for new adventures. kl