Monthly Archives: June 2023

From Mexico: Farmers’ Market Shopping Totes, Bags + Hammocks

‘Tis the season for fresh fruits and vegetables. Our Farmers’ Market here in Taos, NM, is in full-swing with spring produce and fresh flowers. Likely, you are living where it’s already summer and your markets are filled with summer squash like zucchini, crooked neck and yellow squash, lettuces, green beans, peas, onions, fresh eggs, chard, asparagus, beets, radishes, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, basil and peas. We have cherries and apricots. Tomatoes, root vegetables, and corn will come later.

How to gather all this deliciousness in style? With a stylish Mexico-made shopping tote or handwoven agave (called ixtle) bag. I have a few of them and want to offer them now to you for sale just in time for the season. An extra bag also comes in handy for shopping at traditional food markets when you want to save the planet by not using plastic!

And, two amazing hammocks, one in sky blue, one in persimmon, handwoven in the Yucatan with sturdy nylon.

How to Buy: Write to norma.schafer@icloud.com Tell me the item you want by number. Send me your mailing address. Tell me how you want to pay.

You can pay one of three ways: 1) with Zelle and no service fee; 2) with Venmo or 3) with PayPal. If you choose either #2 or #3, we add on a 3.5% service fee which is their charge to us, and we will send a Request for Funds. We need your account information, either a phone number or email address or Venmo name. The request will include the cost of the item + $14 mailing charge. We are happy to combine orders.

SOLD. #1. Left. B&W tote handwoven in Oaxaca with double handles. Includes decorative tassel from Chiapas. Size 14” high x 15” wide. $68.

SOLD. #2. Right. B&W checked tote handwoven in Oaxaca with sturdy handles. Includes decorative tassel from Chiapas. Size 14” high x 15” wide. $68.

SOLD. #3. Left. Ixtle woven bag from Chiapas with leather handle. Expandable, lightweight, easy to carry, adjustable strap. Finest weave. Caramel color comes from hanging over a smokey fire! Measures 10″ wide x 12″ high. $75

SOLD. #4. Right. Ixtle woven bag from Chiapas with leather handle. Same as above. Finest weave. Natural color. Measures 12″ x 12″. Adjustable strap. $95

#5. Diagonal Tote. 14″ high x 12″ diameter. Handwoven palm from the Oaxaca Mixe region. $65.

#6. Left. Cochineal dyed cotton tote from San Juan Colorado, Oaxaca. Measures 15″ wide x 16″ long. $87.

#7. Right. Ixtle bag handwoven in Chiapas, very large, smoke-colored caramel. 15″ wide x 16″ long. $120.

How are agave (ixtle) bags woven? By hand, on a frame loom. The leaves are soaked and stripped first. The entire process takes three months.

#8. Left. Persimmon hammock, handwoven in the Yucatan, double sized to fit two people, $95. Woven with sturdy polyester cord.

#9. Righty. Sky blue hammock, handwoven in the Yucatan, double sized to fit two people, $95. Woven with sturdy polyester cord.

These hammocks are LONG, perfect for your porch or to take camping. This is mine that suspends under the portal and is at least 10 feet. You can make it longer by using hammock hangers (get from REI) or chain link.

Huipiles Sale and Furry Bath Mats Close-outs

Janet Chávez Santiago from Teotitlan del Valle is with me now in Taos. We were together last week in Nashville for a pop-up sale of Fe y Lola Rugs from Oaxaca. Then, we flew to Denver to visit friends and drive to Northern New Mexico early Thursday morning to return in time for me to do a reading at the Taos literary society, SOMOS. I received word on Friday that my essay, Lipstick, was accepted for publication in Minerva Rising Press. Another outlet for creativity!

I’ve been going through the textiles I brought back with me from Oaxaca and Chiapas in April and now want to offer them for sale. These are new and have not been listed before. Many are perfect for the hot weather in most places through the US. Stay cool with these finely woven gauzy huipiles and blusas.

How to Buy: Write to norma.schafer@icloud.com Tell me the item you want by number. Send me your mailing address. Tell me how you want to pay. Choose one of three ways.

You can pay one of three ways: 1) with Zelle and no service fee; 2) with Venmo or 3) with PayPal. If you choose either #2 or #3, we add on a 3.5% service fee which is their charge to us, and we will send a Request for Funds. We need your account information, either a phone number or email address or Venmo name. The request will include the cost of the garment + $14 mailing charge. We are happy to combine orders.

SOLD #1. Pinotepa de Don Luis weaver Viridiana created this pericone, purple snail dye, and indigo huipil. Very rare combination. It measures 27″ wide x 37″ long. All natural cotton. Beautiful drape. $395.

#2. This is a fuchsine dyed huipil from Pinotepa de Don Luis, very fine hand weaving on the back strap loom. it is silk and cotton. The silk takes the dye and the bleeding is an intentional part of the design. It is 32″ wide x 39″ long. Very collectible. $595.

SOLD. #3. From the village of San Felipe Usila in the Papoalpan region of Oaxaca that borders the Gulf of Mexico, this finely woven white on cream huipil is perfect for summer dressing. It measures 27″ wide x 36-1/2″ long. $295.

#4. Peach colored huipil from Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero is an Amusgo design that is hand woven with natural dyes. It measures 28″ wide x 34″ long. $155.

SOLD. #5. San Juan Colorado huipil from the Oaxaca Coast. Finely woven indigo with gourd dyed designs. Measures 31″ wide x 34″ long. $295.

#6. Dyed with wild marigold and brazilwood, this huipil from San Juan Colorado measures 30″ wide x 30″ long. $265.

SOLD. #7. An indigo crop-top from San Juan Colorado, dyed with indigo, tree bark and including native white cotton, with lovely crocheted detailing. Measures 28″ wide x 18-1/2″ long. $125.

Now for the Bath Mat Close-Out. I ordered these from a weaver felt-maker in San Juan Chamula, Chiapas. I thought they would make amazing furry bath mats or to use at the kitchen sink. I’m reducing them to the cost I paid for them, since I won’t be reordering these. Please choose by number.

Each one is $145 plus mailing. All hand-woven and then felted with the weaver’s feet who dances on the textile to felt it.

This Weekend, Oaxaca Rug Sale in Nashville, TN

We are coming to Parachute Home in The Gulch neighborhood of Nashville this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 9, 10, 11, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Come join us if you live in Nash or nearby! Janet Chavez Santiago is representing her family of weavers from Galeria Fe y Lola in Oaxaca, Mexico. They work only in natural dyes using the finest hand-spun wool, proven to be the sturdiest for a lifetime of use! I will be bring some select back-strap loom woven garments, light and airy, designed to help you get through the hot and humid Nashville summer. Mark you calendar! Bring your friends!