Over the years, I have collected handmade garments made by very talented women (and some men) in remote villages I have visited throughout Mexico. As I age, my body has changed. I’ve lost both height and weight. It does me no good to have these in my closet and I’m not starting a museum! All are fairly priced to give you an opportunity to treasure these wonderful pieces I have curated. Many have never been worn. I purchased them to support the artisans. Thank you for looking and considering.
Buy now and I will mail around November 15 when I return to New Mexico. Tell me the item number you want and your mailing address. I will send you a PayPal invoice and add $12 for mailing.
SOLD. 2.1. A full length, gorgeous Dreamweavers huipil, 26” wide x 46” long. Indigo and caracol púrpura. All handmade on the backstrap loom. $325. SOLD. #2.2. Las Sanjuaneras gauze blusa woven on the backstrap loom. From San Juan Colorado, Oaxaca. Indigo and coconut shell natural dyes. A lovely summer coverup or wear over a long-sleev T in winter. 29” long x 36” wide. Very drapy. $95. #2.3. From Aguacatenango, Chiapas. Finely embroidered with smocking. All handwork, including seams. 22” long x 22” wide. 100% cotton. Will fit size medium. $55. #2.4. CHAKIRA MEANS BEADED. This densely beaded blouse is covered completely on the bodice. It has needle lace trim interspersed with tiny red beads that trim the neckline. Made in the mountains of Puebla state. These blouses have sold in Santa Fe on the Plaza for $450. Yours for $200. Measures 22” wide x 27” long. #2.5. Very nice embroidery on traditional Mexican dress. 100% cotton. 22” wide x 46” long. $55#2.6. All natural dyes in this huipil woven on the Oaxaca coast by Jini Nuu Cooperative in San Juan Colorado It includes homegrown native Oaxaca cotton that is pre-Hispanic. $160. 27” wide x 45” long. SOLD. 2.7. Two-tone indigo poncho embellished with double-headed eagles adorn this custom designed Egyptian cotton poncho from Remegio Mestas’ Los Baules de Juana Cata, Oaxaca. Soft, cozy, drapy. Open on the side. The best quality anywhere. Backstrap loomed. Rare. $275. 33” long x 40” wide. #2.8. From the Papaloapan region of Oaxaca, between the city and Veracruz, in the Sierra Madre del Sur, this stunning dress is densely embroidered representing the region’s birds and flowers. Cotton. $170. 29” wide x 48” long. #2.9. Like wearing a stained glass window, this is a traditional gala huipil from the Chinantla region of Oaxaca. Motifs feature The Tree of Life. I bought this directly from the maker. $255. (A steal. These sell for $600-700). Measures 28” wide x 40 long. SOLD. #2.10. Elegant white on white huipil woven on the backstrap loom with fine cotton from the Amusgo region of Oaxaca along the Pacific coast. From one of the best women’s cooperatives. $395. 29” wide x 44” long. #2.11. From Jamiltepec on the Oaxaca coast, a lively blusa that is both backstrap loomed and embroidered. Measures 24” wide and 24” long. $65. SOLD. #2.12. I searched far and wide for the best example of a machine embroidered blouse from Tlahuitoltepec, Oaxaca. Here it is! Note: this is free-form, hand-guided embroidery—so it is really made by hand! With 3/4 length sleeves and amazing detail in the traditional colors. Sturdy 100% cotton. Measures 21” wide x 27” long. $72. SOLD. 2.13. Natural dye 100% cotton ruana (modified poncho — closed in back, open in front) from the San Juan Colorado Cooperative Jini Nuu. Uses wild marigold and pomegranate for the dyes. Hand tied fringes. 24” wide x 28” long. One size fits most. $65. SOLD. 2.14. Cotton warp and wool weft dyed with indigo and wild marigold distinguish this shawl woven by Arturo Hernández in Mitla. Cozy, warm. Measures 18” wide x 66” long. Hand tied fringes. $65.
Norma Writes for Selvedge Magazine Issues #89 + #109
Creating Connectionand Meaning between travelers and with indigenous artisans. Meet makers where they live and work. Join small groups of like-minded explorers. Go deep into remote villages. Gain insights. Support cultural heritage and sustainable traditions ie. hand weaving and natural dyeing. Create value and memories. Enjoy hands-on experiences. Make a difference.
What is a Study Tour: Our programs are designed as learning experiences, and as such we talk with makers about how and why they create, what is meaningful to them in their designs, the ancient history of patterning and design, use of color, tradition and innovation, values and cultural continuity, and the social context within which they work. First and foremost, we are educators. Norma worked in top US universities for over 35 years and Eric founded the education department at Oaxaca’s textile museum. We create connection and help artisans reach people who value them and their work.
Why We Left, Expat Anthology: Norma’s Personal Essay
Norma contributes personal essay, How Oaxaca Became Home
We Contribute Two Chapters!
Click image to order yours!
Meet Makers. Make a Difference
Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC has offered programs in Mexico since 2006. We have over 30 years of university, textile and artisan development experience. See About Us.
Programs can be scheduled to meet your independent travel plans. Send us your available dates.
Designers, retailers, wholesalers, curators, universities and others come to us to develop artisan relationships, customized itineraries, study abroad programs, meetings and conferences. It's our pleasure to make arrangements.
Select Clients *Abeja Boutique, Houston *Selvedge Magazine-London, UK *Esprit Travel and Tours *Penland School of Crafts *North Carolina State University *WARP Weave a Real Peace *Methodist University *MINNA-Goods *Smockingbird Kids *University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
October 27, 2023: Day of the Dead Ocotlan Highway Tour. It’s Market Day! The biggest of the year. See special altar food and decor, visit artisans, explore culture, eat at a traditional open air cocina de humo (grill kitchen). SOLD OUT.
October 29, 2023: Teotitlan del Valle Altars and Studio Visits to natural dye and weaving artisans who invite you to their altar rooms to share family traditions. Meet a traditional beeswax candlemaker. Eat mole and mezcal in a local family comedor. 6 SPACES OPEN.
We offer textile experiences in our studio where we weave and work only in natural dyes.You can see the process during our textile tours and dye workshops. Ask us for more information about these experiences, customized scheduling, and prices.
Oaxaca has the largest and most diverse textile culture in Mexico! Learn about it.
When you visit Oaxaca immerse yourself in our textile culture: How is indigenous clothing made, what is the best value, most economical, finest available. Suitable for adults only. Set your own dates.
One-Day Custom Tours: Tell Us When You Want to Go!
New--Ruta del Mezcal One-Day Tour.We start the day with pottery, visiting a master, then have lunch with a Traditional Oaxaca Cook who is the master of mole making. In Mitla, we meet with our favorite flying shuttle loom weaver, and then finish off with a mezcal tasting at a palenque you will NEVER find on your own! Schedule at your convenience!
January 13-21, 2024: Oaxaca Coast Textile Study Tour. Very popular! Get your deposit in to reserve. For intrepid travelers. Visit 7 back-strap loom weavers. Explore the culture of cloth and community. SOLD OUT!
March 28-April 3:Screenwriting for Film + Television with Harry Werksman, Golden Globe award winning writer. Develop character, plot, scene. Learn what it takes to pitch a story. Take your ideas from concept to delivery. NEW!
Stay Healthy. Stay Safe. Questions? Want TO REGISTER or more info? Send an email to Norma Schafer.
Maps: Teotitlan + Tlacolula Market
We require 48-hour advance notice for map orders to be processed. We send a printable map via email PDF after your order is received. Please be sure to send your email address. Where to see natural dyed rugs in Teotitlan del Valle and layout of the Sunday Tlacolula Market, with favorite eating, shopping, ATMs. Click Here to Buy Map After you click, be sure to check PayPal to ensure your email address isn't hidden from us. We fulfill each map order personally. It is not automatic.
Dye Master Dolores Santiago Arrellanas with son Omar Chavez Santiago, weaver and dyer, Fey y Lola Rugs, Teotitlan del Valle
