Aside from living in Oaxaca, most of you know that I live part of the year in Taos, New Mexico, where I am in love with all things Southwest. Apart from Oaxaca Cultural Navigator and Shop.Oaxacaculture.Com where we feature clothing, home goods, jewelry, gifts and more, I’ve decided to open a shop that focuses on handmade New Mexico and Arizona, mostly jewelry.
I’m also featuring a handmade black pot signed by famed potter Maria Martinez and decorated by her son Popovi Da. Maria is the most famous potter from San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM, who died in 1980.
Since I just finished the Southwest Road Trip with my sister and discovered so many artisans along the way that I couldn’t help supporting, this made perfect sense. The Etsy shop will be open through December 29 when I leave for Oaxaca for the winter.
If you see something you want, you can either buy it directly from Etsy, or contact me and I will offer you a 10% discount if you buy directly from me without going through Etsy. Discount offer good through December 15, 2023.
Today’s post features earrings made with jicara gourd from Pinotepa de Don Luis on the Oaxaca coast, plus bags from Chiapas and Oaxaca, ikat shawls and more. We hope you will find something that says, Welcome Spring!
As we celebrate the spring holidays and give thanks for our freedoms, let’s keep Ukraine in our hearts and minds. For this sale, Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC will donate 5% of all sales to HIAS, an international refugee relief program, for support of Ukraine refugees regardless of religious affiliation and in support of Ukraine and refugees from the Americas amassed at the Mexico-USA border waiting for entry.
How to Buy: mailto:norma.schafer@icloud.com Tell us the item you want by number. Send your complete mailing address.Tell us how you want to pay (3 choices, below). We accept three payment methods:
Zelle bank transfer with no service fee.
Venmo with a 3% service fee.
PayPal with a 3% service fee.
When you tell us by email that you are ready to order and have made your selections by Item Number, you will also tell us your payment preference. We will then confirm your order, mark your item sold, send you totals and our Zelle account information. For Venmo or PayPal, we will send you a request for payment that includes a 3% service fee.
Note: We add on $13 for the mailing fee to your total order.
#31. Pillow cover 18”x16” from San Juan Colorado, Oaxaca. $65SOLD 32 wild marigold dyed ikat shawl wool weft and cotton warp made in Oaxaca. 20” wide x 76” long — great transition to spring and chilly evenings. $85.
SOLD 33. Indigo blue ikat shawl or throw or table cover or beach towel. 100% cotton. Made in Oaxaca. Lots of tone variation from pale to darker. 25”wide x 80” long. $75
SOLD. #34. Khadi Oaxaca hand-spun and woven blouson top, dyed with wild marigold and indigo. size L. 31” wide x 23” long. perfect crop top for jeans! $165SOLD 35. Wine colored carved jucara gourd earrings, 1-3/4” diameter. Very lightweight + impressive. $25SOLD #36. Black stars earrings, 1-3/4” diameter, jicara gourd carved. $25#37. Red flower jicara gourd carved earrings, 1” diameter with 2” dangle. $25#38. Purple carved jicara gourd earrings, 1-1/4” diameter with 2-3/4” dangle. $25#39. Cochineal dyed silk cocoon earrings, 1” flowers with 2” dangle. $25#40. Black circle earrings, carved jicara gourd, 1-3/4” diameter. $25SOLD 41. Embroidered face mask. cover your KN95 with a flower garden! $12#42. Teotitlan del Valle wool woven bag, zipper, lined, interior picket, sturdy leather straps. Bag is 11×11” and strap is 27” end-to-end. $55#43. Finest woven ixtle agave fiber market bag, expa dable with adjustable leather strap, 8” x 9” $65#44. San Andres Larrainzer, Chiapas small backstrap loom woven sampler, wall-hanging. 4” x 11” $50#45. Tenejapa, Chiapas woven bag, zipper close. 6-3/4” wide x 5-1/2” high, 37” strap end to end. $32#46. San Juan Chamula, Chiapas wool bag with embroidered flowers. 9” x 10-1/2” with 47” cord end to end. $32#47. Oaxaca embroidered cancas tote bag, 14-1/2” x 11” with 30” double strap. $35#48. Embroidered zipper tote, canvas, lined with interior pocket, 16-1/2” x 12”. $50SOLD #49. San Andres Larrainzar, pillow cover finest quality, densely woven on backstrap loom, 20×20” $68
Posted onTuesday, July 7, 2020|Comments Off on Mostly Jewelry Sale: Mexico Collection
My sister and I have assembled these pieces from our collection and to offer for sale. Many are earrings. Some are small and go well in this time of mask-wearing as they won’t get hung up on the ties. The larger pieces are perfect for social distancing al fresco dinner parties with one or two others (who are as careful as you are) with at least six feet separating each of you. I’m picnicking from time-to-time with a trusted friend and feel comfortable removing my mask when I’m sitting at a safe distance. Then, I wear my big earrings and lipstick! Many of the pieces were collected over the past 20 years from various places we have visited in Mexico — Oaxaca, Mexico City, Puebla, Chiapas, Michoacan, and even New Mexico. We want to offer them to you at very attractive prices.
To Buy: Send me an email to norma.schafer@icloud.com with your name, address, and item number. I will send you a PayPal invoice to pay with credit card, adding on $12 for USPS mailing to anywhere in USA. Happy to combine multiple items with one mailing fee.
#1. Oaxaca filigree sterling silver and amber earrings. 3″ x 1-1/2″. Was $225. Now, $145.SOLD. #2. San Juan Chamula, Chiapas glass beads, 18″ + ties. Was $95. Now. $65.SOLD. #3. Marcasite, white sapphire, sterling silver & 18kt. gold. 1-14″ x 1/2″ Oaxaca. Was $185. Now, $125.#4. Onyx + pearl, silver filigree, Oaxaca. 1″x1/2″. Was $145. Now, $95.#5. Gold Filled Dainties. Amethyst. Moonstone. Hooks. 1″x5/8″ Was $155. Now, $95.#6. Mexico City. Sterling Silver, posts. 3/4″x3/4″ Was $145. Now, $95. SOLD. #7. Crotchet and button necklace. Mexico City. Was $55. Now, $25.SOLD. #8. Spratling Monkey Pendant. 2″x1-1/2″ Jade + Brass. Was $185. Now. $110. New Spratling Stamp from original mold, made in last 10 years. #9. Sterling silver Brigitte Huet Maya Gods Pendant, 1″w x 1-1/2″ long, Was $185. Now, $155. Lost Wax Casting. #10. Tane Silversmiths, Mexico City. Sterling and Gold Filled Ring. Size 6. Was $128. Now, $95. #11. Onyx and Silver Earrings. Posts. 1″x3/4″ Was. $150. Now, $95. #12. Puebla Talavera Beads & Silver. 20″ w/5″ dangle. Was $135. Now, $65.#13. Taxco Designer Melesio Rodriguez. 950 Sterling. 1-1/2″x1-1/4″ Was $195. Now, $135.#14. Bangles. 9 pieces. Enamel. Sterling. Alpaca. Fits small wrist, 6″ diameter. Was $145. Now, $75.#15. Vintage, Puebla, Mexico. Sandcast. Sterling + Pearl Butterflies. 2″x1-1/4″ Was $165. Now, $110.SOLD. #16. Taxco Designer Melesio Rodriguez. 950 Sterling. 1-1/2″x1″ Was $195. Now, $135.#17. India. Sterling Silver Lotus Dangles. 2-1/4″x3/4″ Was $135. Now, $85.SOLD. #18. Spratling, Copper + Lapis Lazuli Pendant. 3-1/2″x2-3/4″ Was $145. Now, $110. Includes cord. Stamp is New Spratling, Taxco. It’s the Spratling mold, made in last 10 years. #19. San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, Two Mini-Stuffed Animals. Was $50. Now, $25#20. Zinacantan, Chiapas, back strap loomed belt. Cotton. 33″ long x 2-1/4″ wide + 16″ ties. Total 49″. Was $85. Now, $45. Use it as a Guitar or Bag Strap, too.
I’m getting ready to return to Oaxaca next week with a stopover in Mexico City to lead the Art History Tour focusing on the work of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, plus the other noted early 20th century Mexican muralists. (Want to hop down? One space open!)
Before I leave the USA, I usually go through my collection to review what I want to part with. The 15-piece selection is below. Look carefully!
To Buy: Send me an email to norma.schafer@icloud.com with your name, address, and item number. I will send you an invoice to pay with credit card. Once I receive your funds, I will mail via USPS to anywhere in the USA. Prices include mailing cost. Please buy and pay before Sunday, October 13, 2019. I return to Mexico on October 16. Thank you VERY much.
#1 Oaxaca Sterling Silver Yalalag Cross with Virgin of Juquila milagros
This is a one-of-a-kind completely handmade necklace, with handmade hollow silver beads and cast milagros in the image of the Virgin of Juquila, a venerated icon. You’ll never see anything like this again. When clasped, it hangs 20-inches. There are 15 milagros, including the three on the suspended cross. Two additional milagros make up the secure hook clasp. This is a collector’s piece. Price is $995. USD including mailing to anywhere in the USA. (Half the price of Federico with more silver.)
Oaxaca Filigree Dangle Earrings, left is #L-2A and right is #R-2B
These are famed Oaxaca filigree dangle earrings made by the best artisan silversmith I know. The ones on the left are called Muñecas and have a deep ruby red glass center to accent the sterling silver and pearls. The pair on the right are also an impressive statement piece, pearl and sterling with more of the filigree featured. Each pair has a 2-1/2″ drop from where the wire enters the earlobe, and is $245 each (includes mailing to anywhere in the USA).
Don’t like a price? Make me a reasonable offer!
SOLD. #3 Vintage Coral and Sterling Silver Oaxaca Milagro NecklaceDetail #3, all milagros are hand-cast sterling silver
#3 is an outstanding necklace, 22″ long, that I found at an out-of-the-way Oaxaca vintage antique shop. It was too beautiful to pass up and I added it to my collection. Now it’s time for a new home! $595 includes mailing to anywhere in USA.
Left earrings #4. Right top bangle #5. Vintage bubble bracelet #6.
#4 are among the last pairs of earrings I have made Brigitte Huet, who worked in Oaxaca for 20+ years before she returned to France in 2015. They are formed using the lost wax casting technique, and are 2″ long. $145 USD includes mailing to anywhere in the USA.
#5 is a sterling silver Mexican bubble bangle is made in Taxco, Guerrero. I’m very picky about quality, and this one is the best. 6″ interior diameter opening. Measure your wrist! $165 includes mailing to anywhere in the USA.
#6 is a rare vintage sterling silver Mexican bubble bracelet with native turquoise and hook clasp made in Taxco, Guerrero. It is in very good condition and measures 7-1/4″ long. $185 USD includes mailing to anywhere in the USA.
Don’t like a price? Make me a reasonable offer.
#7 purple earrings. #8 yellow earrings. #9 hot pink earrings.
#7, #8, and #9 are jicara gourd, hand-carved and painted, made in Pinotepa de Don Luis, Oaxaca, Mexico. I hand-select each pair for design quality and workmanship excellence. 2-1/2 to 3″ long. Lightweight, versatile, easy to wear. $45 each includes mailing to anywhere in USA. Please specify color and number when ordering. Thank you.
Earrings: #10 love birds. #11 circle flowers. #12 Maya Gods Pendant. #13 cornflowers.#12 detail, sterling silver Brigitte Huet Maya Gods Pendant, 1″w x 1-1/2″ long, $185
#12. This is a rare Brigitte Huet sterling silver pendant made in the lost wax casting technique. It is from her earliest collection. Price includes mailing to anywhere in USA.
#10 love birds, sterling silver, coral and garnet, $175 USD
#10 are made by the Mazahua silversmiths of Estado de Mexico. I bought these in Mexico City. Difficult to find now. 3″ long from where wire enters earlobe to end of coral drop. Will mail free to anywhere in USA.
Don’t like a price? Make me a reasonable offer.
#11 top and #13 bottom, Melesio Rodriquez 950 sterling earrings
These are 950 sterling silver made by fine Mexican jeweler Melesio Rodriguez. They are each 1-1/4″ long. The design is derived from vintage 1950’s Taxco silversmithing. $165 each pair. Includes mailing to anywhere in USA. Please specify which pair you want by number.
#14 sterling silver Brigitte Huet bracelet with toggle clasp, 7-1/2″ long, $395Inside detail #14 Brigitte Huet sterling silver bracelet with her mark
#14 was purchased around 2007 from Brigitte when she was working in Oaxaca using the lost wax casting technique. Her fine work was collected by travelers and residents alike. Rare to still find a piece like this. The iconography is Maya representing the huipil woven designs of noblewomen. $435 USD includes mailing to anywhere in the USA.
SOLD. #15 vintage Lake Patzcuaro fish necklace, 17″ long
#15 was bought in Patzcuaro, Michoacan in the early 1990’s. Rare. The fish is the iconic symbol of the region. Handmade silver beads and chain add interest along with the red beans from which the fish are suspended. Whimsical, beautiful, strong and secure with a hook clasp. $295 includes mailing to anywhere in the USA.
We know the culture! This is our land! We are locally owned and operated.
Eric Chavez Santiago is tri-lingual --Spanish, English, Zapotec.
Eric was founding director of education, Museo Textil de Oaxaca
Norma Schafer has been living in Oaxaca since 2005.
Norma is a seasoned university educator.
We have deep connections with artists and artisans.
63% of our travelers repeat -- high ratings, high satisfaction.
Wide ranging expertise: textiles, folk art, pottery, cultural wisdom.
We give you a deep immersion to best know Oaxaca and Mexico.
We organize travel + tours for museums, arts, organizations, collectors + appreciators.
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 learning experiences, and as such we talk with makers about how and why they create, what is meaningful to them, 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.
OCN Creates Student Scholarship at Oaxaca Learning Center Giving back is a core value. Read about it here
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.
Arts organizations, museums, designers, retailers, wholesalers, curators, universities and others come to us to develop artisan relationships, customized itineraries, meetings and conferences. It's our pleasure to make arrangements.
Select Clients *Abeja Boutique, Houston *North Carolina Museum of Art *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, 28, 29: People and Place Photography Workshop in Teotitlán Del Valle with Luvia Lazo, featured in The New Yorker Magazine. Portraits and Street Photography, recipient of Leica Women Foto Project Award Winner 2024. This is an insider's Street and Portrait photography experience. We visit families in their homes to arrange photo sessions, we take you on the back streets where tourists rarely go.
October 30: Day of the Dead in Teotitlan del Valle--Altars and Studio Visits. A one-day immersion into culture, traditions, and meaning in Teotitlan del Valle. In this traditional village, where the native language is still spoken, we take you to meet local artisans who also explain their personal family traditions including who and what is on the altar and why. P.S. We know Teotitlan. We live here!
November 1: Day of the Dead Magic in Mitla--Visit the cemetery with our local host, understand the meaning of the pre-Hispanic altar, help honor the ancestors with offerings, enjoy a traditional meal of mole negro, a feast day speciality in Mitla. A one-day immersion experience.
December 6-14: Oaxaca Textile Tour and Workshopsincluding dye and weaving workshops, Tlacolula market and spinning village visits, plus lots more. Registration open!
February 6-15:Guatemala Textile Study Tour: Cloth and Culture. Discover Antigua, Lake Atitlan and Panajachel, Chichicastenango Market, and visit Coban where they weave fine gauze cloth called pikbil. SOLD OUT
March 12-17: Deep Into the Mixteca Alta: Oaxaca Textile + Folk Art Study Tour 2025. This is cultural immersion at its best! Following the Dominican Route, we visit potteries, churches, Triqui weavers working in natural dyes, a cooperative in Tijaltepec that makes smocked blouses, the expansive Tlaxiaco Saturday Tianguis. Experience another side of Oaxaca.
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 Tours: Schedule When YOU Want to Go!
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!
Teotitlan del Valle Map with select rug weavers, restaurants, village attractions
Tlacolula Market Map -- where to find food, shopping, ATMs, and more
Our Favorite Things to Do in Oaxaca -- eating, shopping, gallery hopping + more
We require 48-hour advance notice for 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
