Day 4: Around Oaxaca

Friday, August 7: The Chiripa 2009 Summer Buying Trip to Mexico

Friday was to be the trip on the road between Oaxaca and Ocotlan with stops at Santo Thomas Jalietze, San Bartolo Coyotepec, San Martin Tilcajete, and of course a stop to see the famous Tule tree. Just writing the places wears me out!

Ocotolan is the farthest out and is the home of the Aguilar sisters and their workshops. The delightful figures have become collectors items for many customers and we try to restock our supply when in the area.

A women's collective of backstrap loom weavers can be found in the center of Santo Thomas Jalietze. Colorful cotton table runners and placemats as well as handbags are presented for sale in small booths staffed by the woman who made the items. We shop from many vendors to spread the money throughout the group.

San Bartolo Coyotepec is home to the famous black pottery. After a very successful shipment two years ago, we no longer worry that the fragile pottery won't arrive. But this is a place where we rely on a larger producer (Dona Rosa) with experience crating their work. We don't want to be the amatures boxing up precious pieces to find them shattered when they arrive in Madison.

Of course San Martin Tilcajete is the place with the highest expectations. It is the home of Jacobo and Maria Angeles, masters of Mexican alebrijes. To our travellers' dismay, they would miss seeing Jacobo and Maria by one day. The special piece we ordered was ready. Further purchase details will wait until Beth returns.

A quick stop in Santa Maria del Tule to see the world's largest trees is a must.

I'll try to add photos of some of these places and workshops as time allows (and there hasn't been much of that!).