Guadalajara-D'Casa Stoneware

Chiripa partners are on a buying trip to Mexico. Here's the first communication we received:

8/14/200
Chiripa has landed in Mexico! We started this morning by visiting the ceramics workshop of our friend Enrique Castro Compos and his family (D’Casa Stoneware). We found the modest workshop tucked into a typical residential neighborhood in Guadalajara. Guadalajara is a city of 4 million souls but, like other Mexican cities, it feels smaller because everything is on a fairly human scale.

Enrique’s workshop has no signs or advertising to distinguish it from the surrounding residences. But when you knock on the door, Enrique invites you in to a small world of beautiful ceramics.



Enrique’s life is a compelling story. He lost is father at age 12, and his mother at age 16. He and his 4 brothers had no other family to support them -- no grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins. So the brothers had to support themselves. There was widespread poverty, and at times they had nothing to eat, But they stuck together and, somehow, made their way.

By constant hard work, Enrique made it to the University of Guadalajara, and eventually graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. He worked for 34 years, as a production supervisor for major ceramics companies, before starting his own business with his wife. He and his wife worked hard to build the small business, and to support their family of 5 children. The grown children have gone on to professional careers.


Enrique, shown here with his youngest son Carlos, is proud of his family ́s achievement. He has put his professional experience to work in producing a very high quality product, but he also credits his wife for developing the business. Son Carlos now plays an important role in keeping things running.

End of message from Mexico.
One of the fun and popular items that we carry on the Chiripa website is the 4-piece tequilla set. Tray/cup/salt shaker/plate for lime. At $17 it makes a great gift!


Every piece is carefully made by hand. The consistent shapes makes D'Casa stoneware a perfect choice for your dinnerware.


And the precise painting is equally consistent, yet maintains a definite hand-made feel.

We will continue to carry this line and will be adding more pieces to the website in the near future.