This week the Artisan Sisters offer a stunning indigenous huipil (dress) hand woven and embroidered from the mountains of Oaxaca, and sterling silver and coral antique earrings from Puebla. Email me if you want to order to make sure the item is still available. Shipping cost extra. Insurance optional.
Animals and birds and sea creatures are a whimsical addition to this made-on-a-backstrap-loom garment that measures 39″ wide (across the front) in three wefts. All cotton, it is approximately 39″ long from the shoulders, and will fit a size Large-Xtra Large. Yours for $125.00, Item Number 08132012.1. Plus shipping.
There are small multi-colored diamond shapes woven into the body of the cloth, and the finish work is excellent. The black hand-bound cotton trim around the neck is perfectly done and ensures there will be no unraveling! The seams are sewn together with a zigzag red crochet stitch, and the armholes are finished with the same workmanship. This collector’s piece is definitely a bargain!
Antique sterling silver and coral earrings from Puebla, Mexico date to the mid-1950′s. Silver is no longer being made in Puebla and these came from an estate. Note the Frida-style birds. Great movement. 2-1/8″ long. $95. Plus shipping, depending on where you live in the U.S.A. Item #08132012.2
Cultural and Social Tourism Focus for Guanajuato Delegation to Oaxaca
Tourism and economic development officials from Guanajuato, Mexico, came to Oaxaca to meet and talk with artisans, artists, microfinanciers, arts educators, and entrepreneurs. I helped them arrange their itinerary and hosted them during their stay. The group plans to develop social/cultural tourism educational projects for their state with hopes to reduce the talent drain due to out-migration and keep people employed locally in sustainable work that can ensure cultural continuity. What we do at Oaxaca Cultural Navigator is one model for possible program development.
Because Guanajuato is a silver mining area, I took the group to meet with silversmiths Brigitte Huet and Ivan Campant who work in the lost wax casting technique — a process used by the ancient Mixtecs and Mayans. We spent the day in the studio learning about the intricacies and complexities of this jewelry making technique.
Brigitte and Ivan translate their bold designs into carved into wax. They then make molds, melt the 925 sterling silver, pour the molten silver into the molds, and disperse the metal into the cast design using the ancient sling method. Believe me, this is not easy. You need to know chemistry and have a steady hand!
The results are stunning earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets using designs adapted from Mexican codices and temple carvings. We gained a greater appreciation for this type of work, since it is detailed, technical, and requires many steps and a lot of patience.
The multi-step process includes putting your design onto the wax, carving the wax, making a master, making a mold, injecting it with wax, using the wax design to fit into the plaster encased in the container, pouring the molten silver into the plaster, using the sling to disperse the silver, cooling the piece, removing it, cleaning it, oxidizing it, polishing it, and then using classical jewelry making techniques (like using the laminator) to make a finished piece of jewelry.
Brigitte and Ivan teach 3-day jewelry making workshops here in Oaxaca. You can contact Norma Hawthorne to schedule your own personal workshop — two person minimum!
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Jewelry, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Photography, Travel & Tourism
Tagged blogsherpa, class, course, jewelry, Mexico, Oaxaca, silver