December 12 is recognized throughout Mexico as a Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, when she appeared as an apparition and miraculously changed the course of history in Latin America. In Oaxaca today, there will be parades and masses and people lighting votive candles to honor the woman who symbolically brought indigenous peoples under the fold of Catholicism brought by the Conquest.
If you are in Oaxaca and want to participate in observances, here is the link https://maps.app.goo.gl/oWm8RmQteTSHqi8j6 to get you to the Iglesia de Guadalupe (Guadalupe church).
My friend Linda Hanna who has been a Oaxaca textile maven for years, celebrates with an annual gathering at her home in Huayapam. Invited participants create a Virgin from piles of findings — fabrics, ribbons, buttons bric a brac, amulets, and milagros. Some years back, Linda worked with weavers, embroiderers and dyers from throughout Mexico to recreate images of the Virgin of Guadalupe in cloth — clothing, wall hangings, table coverings. It was spectacular and there is a book dedicated to what was created and the artisans who contributed.
Guadalupe is NOT a saint. She is Our Lady of Guadalupe, Giver of Miracles. She is more popular than Mary, Jesus, or any other dieties in Mexico. In fact, she is celebrated in the Spanish-speaking world where the Conquest aimed to convert indigenous people to the new religion. She became the embodiment of Mary, but much more important because she blends the old beliefs with the new — called syncretism.
In pre-Hispanic Mexico, she is Corn Goddess. She is Mother Earth. Protectress. She is Tonantzin. Guadalupe, or Lupita as many call her, sings to us as a spiritual symbol, especially for women. She is Queen, robed in finery, but also of the people.
I’ve written a lot about the Virgin of Guadalupe. If you want to know more, please click on these links.
A symbol of identity and resistance, especially during the Mexican Revolution
A unifying figure, blending cultures
Celebrated with pilgrimages, religious services, dances, music and cultural festivities
For women, the Virgin of Guadalupe symbolizes strength, identity, hope, and protection. Her image transcends religion, and that is why she appeals to so many women worldwide. She is an emblem in social and political contexts, seen as a compassionate and loving mother who understands struggles and provides comfort. She is believed to watch over and protect families. As a symbol of feminine strength, she offers an alternative to colonialism. As a symbol of endurance, she speaks to women who struggle against poverty, violence, and marginalization. She has been reframed by contemporary writers as a figure of defiance and transformation. Activists have reclaimed her as a protector of marginalized and oppressed women.
This is why it is palatable to embrace, honor, respect, and light a candle for the Virgin of Guadalupe. She is not a religious symbol to me, but one that speaks to social justice and advocacy for equality.
The Collection Sales continues, with most pieces priced at or below cost. Brighten your holiday season with a stunning selection of handmade clothing from Oaxaca — to wear or to gift. We offer 12 pieces today. Be sure to scroll down to see them all.
How to Buy: Send me an email to tell me which item(s) you want BY NUMBER and by name of item. Send me your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number. Tell me if you want to purchase using a Zelle transfer or a credit card. If you use a credit card, we add a 4% service fee. There is no extra fee for using Zelle. If you want Zelle, please tell me how your Zelle account is registered. For mailing, I will add a $14 packing and mailing charge. I am NOT putting these items for sale in the SHOP — only here!
Please purchase before December 18, 2024, when I’ll be preparing for the winter holidays and returning to Oaxaca for several months.
Thank you!
#1. B&W Table Cloth
#1. Holiday Table Dressing. A tablecloth handwoven on the flying shuttle loom in Oaxaca, this black and white pattern measures 96″ long x 54″ wide — big enough for a table with 10 chairs! 100% cotton. Hand-tied fringes. Machine wash and dry. $125
#2. Turquoise Square Neck Blouse
#2. Turquoise Square Neck Blouse with hand-embroidered details. This design is traditional on the Oaxaca coast, found everywhere from the ocean to the mountains. The embroidery work is exceptional and dense, executed on high quality Mexican cotton cloth called manta. Measures 23″ wide x 26″ long. $95.
#3. Hot Pink Tlahuitoltepec Blusa
SOLD. #3. This extraordinary blusa is embroidered in the Oaxaca Sierra Norte in the village of Tlahuitoltepec. These designs are distinctive of this area and easily identifiable when worn on Oaxaca city streets. The embroidery is hand-guide by machine, making it a hybrid hand and machine process. The seamstress guides the needle without a pattern to make it. Measures 21″ wide x 25″ long. 3/4-length sleeves. $145.
#4. Gauze Weave, Coban, Guatemala
#4. This is the most finely woven garment made on the back strap loom that we know about, coming from the Guatemala-Mexico border, woven by Mayan women in the town of Coban (where we will visit on our upcoming Guatemala tour). Lightweight for summer. Beautifully crafted. Measures 26″ wide x 36″ long. Underpriced at $195.
#5. Coral Linen Embroidered Blouse
#5. Fine Italian linen is embroidered and finished in San Cristobal de las Casas by one of the best cooperatives we have found. Machine wash. Hang to dry. Iron on medium heat. A great and festive layering piece, too. Measures 24″ wide x 26″ long. $165
#6. White on White with Purple Snail Dye Blouse
#6. Woven on the back strap loom in Pinotepa de Don Luis, Oaxaca, high above the coast. It is trimmed with cotton threads dyed with caracol purpura, the rare purple snail dye. High quality industrial cotton from the State of Puebla. Machine wash cold/gentle. Hang to dry. Measures 22″ wide x 26″ long. $165
#7. Mixteca Alta Embroidered Blouse – Wine$21×26. $72
#7. Along the Dominican Route high in the Mixteca Alta (we have space on this spring tour) we find weaving and embroidery villages doing exceptional work. This is a locally designed and embroidered blouse in manta cotton, embellished with a floral motif done in wine-colored threads. 100% cotton. Machine wash. Hang to dry. Measures 21″ wide x 26″ long. $68
#8 Cheery Cherry Blusa
#8. Cheery Cherry Embroidered Blouse. Same blouse as above, just in cherry colored embroidery. Sam measurements. $68
#9. Checkerboard Poncho
#9. Casa Textil in San Cristobal de las Casas designed this open-front, open-sided poncho with the weavers of San Juan Cancuc using the finest cotton materials. Terrific holiday dressing or any time during the year. The geometry of the design and the precision are outstanding. 100% cotton. Measures 35″ wide x 27″ long. $235
#10 Top It Off Apron 19 c 30 $95
#10. Not far from where I live in the Tlacolula Valley is the apron village of San Miguel del Valle. They work free hand on an embroidery sewing machine to create these dense floral designs. This one is an eye-popper! Dare to be bold this holiday season. Dress up your cooking preparations with this amazing apron. Machine wash and dry. Measures 19″ wide x 30″ long. Ties in back. $95
#11. Flower Garden Apron
#11. Rust Red Flower Garden Apron measures 17″ wide x 30″ long. Size S-XS. Buttons and ties in the back. A cacaphony of color, this exquisitely embroidered apron is perfect for holiday entertaining. $85
#12. Hand-woven on the back strap loom, this 100% cotton cloth is dyed with alderwood, then meticulously sewn into a pullover shirt. It measures 24″ wide x 25″ long. The sleeves are 18″ long from the shoulder seam — stylish when rolled up, too. $65
Thank you for looking and shopping. I’m happy to combine more than one purchase into one mailing package to save mailing costs!
We haven’t had any snow in Northern New Mexico since I arrived on November 19. It’s been sunny and unseasonably warm, with temperatures rising to the low 50’s. Great walking weather. At night, it dips down to the 30’s, just perfect for sleeping. I’m returning to Oaxaca on December 30, in time for our January 2, 2025, Women’s Creative Writing Workshop Retreat (we can accommodate one more person, if you are a last-minute decider!). My plan is to return to NM in early April to do my taxes and then go back until July. This is driven by (primarily) politics and climate. Since I’ve removed myself from WAPO and NYT alerts, and selectively reading Bulwark commentators, I’ve been feeling very calm. Mostly, I’m in a self-imposed news black hole. I know I have my head in the sand and one of these days, I’ll take it out and re-emerge into the world of fighting for justice, equality, and women’s health. For now, I’m content to look west out my kitchen window at the Rio Grande Gorge and east out my living room window at Taos Mountain, just barely snow-capped.
When I got to Taos I realized how many Oaxaca and Chiapas clothes were in my collection, most that I haven’t worn! I purchased them for their beauty, intricacy of weaving techniques, fine embroidery, and use of natural dyes. I have been fortunate to have met most of the people who made these garments. They live in remote villages and their families depend on the women for extra income that pays for health care, education, and food. One of my motivators, always, has been (and continues to be) to support indigenous makers throughout Mexico who are working to preserve traditional hand work.
This week, I’ll be offering a select part of my collection for sale. Scroll down. There are 17 pieces, priced at or below cost. More to come later this week. Keep your eyes open!
How to Buy: Send me an email to tell me which item(s) you want BY NUMBER and by name of item. Send me your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number. Tell me if you want to purchase using a Zelle transfer or a credit card. If you use a credit card, we add a 4% service fee. There is no extra fee for using Zelle. If you want Zelle, please tell me how your Zelle account is registered. For mailing, I will add a $14 packing and mailing charge. I am NOT putting these items for sale in the SHOP — only here!
Please purchase before December 18, 2024, when I’ll be preparing for the winter holidays and returning to Oaxaca for several months.
Thank you!
#1. Feather Poncho Black and Red
#1. From the Purepecha village of Ahuiran in Michoacan, Mexico, this amazing backstrap loomed poncho is embellished with dyed turkey feathers and fringes. It is made by Albertine Bautista Caballero, as talented as her more famous (now deceased) sister Cecelia Bautista Caballero, who created this pre-Hispanic method of individually tying the feathers individually into the warp threads. Measures 30″ wide x 30″ long. Sides are open. I could say, one size fits most! Just slip it over your head. Great holiday dressing. $395
#2 Ruana, All Natural Dyes34”w c 36” long back
SOLD. #2. A ruana is a pre-Hispanic garment that is similar to a poncho, but the front is open and the back is closed. This 100% hand-woven ruana features two 17″ wide panels in the front, and the back measures 34″ across. Length is 36″ front and back. The sides are open. The front panels can hang loose or you can drape one or both across your shoulders. This piece is from San Andres Larrainzar, Chiapas, from a cooperative that does very fine work. $225
#3. Chenalho Blouse
#3. In Chenalho, Chiapas, this intricate embroidery is called dog paw. I’ve watched women do this during our visits to a cooperative on the outskirts of the village. It takes more time than you can imagine. The inset bits of color create a stained glass effect in this textile. The embroidery is on striped commercial fabric that is a combo of cotton and polyester. This is exactly what women in the village wear. They do not make anything differently for the tourist market, as many villages do. Measures 28″ wide x 22″ long. $195
#4. Jamiltepec, Oaxaca Blusa
#4. Hand embroidered and back-strap loom woven blusa from the village of Jamiltapec on the Oaxaca Coast. The fabric is embellished with figures woven into the cloth. The bodice is decorated with embroidery designs specific to this area. Measures 24″ wide x 23″ long. $65
#5 Michoacan Embroidered Blouse
#5. The cross-stitched bodice and sleeves set off this stunning blouse from Michoacan. 100% cotton. This textile is top-quality with dense and detailed hand-work. Measure 22″ wide x 27″ long. $145
#6. Dancing Figures Huipil
#6. This amazing and colorful (tangerine and pink) huipil is woven on the backstrap loom in San Juan Colorado on the Oaxaca Coast. We know about a designer who has replicated similar, calls it a kaftan and sells it online for over $750 USD. This is a fun dress to wear in summer; perfect for winter with a white heat-tech long sleeve T-shirt for extra warmth. Measures 23″ wide x 40″ long. $285
#7. San Juan Guichicovi, Oaxaca
#7. Jewel tones define this blusa embroidered in the Oaxaca Isthmus in the village San Juan Guichicovi. Yes, it’s embroidered by machine, but this is different. Each seamstress embroiderer guides the needle by hand. It’s a free-form process that we consider made by hand. Measures 19-1/2″ wide x 23-1/2″ long. $145
#8. Indigo + Wild Marigold Huipil
#8 is from one of the finest weaving villages in Oaxaca, Pinotepa de Don Luis, high in the mountains above the coast. This is a six-weft piece joined with a very intricate stitch called randa. All the figures are woven into the cloth — called supplementary weft. Woven by Monica, the daughter-in-law of the purple snail dyer Don Habacuc. Measure 26″ wide x 37″ long. $385
#9. Cockadoodle-Doo Dress
#9. There are extraordinary embroiderers in villages all along the Oaxaca coast. A traditional motif is the double-headed eagle, replicated here in the center. They are flanked by two roosters. This is all hand-work. The red ribbon adds pizzazz. Base fabric is excellent quality commercial manta cotton. Measures 22″ wide x 38″ long. $65.
#10. Black + Red Blouse from Chiapas
SOLD. #10. A graphic beauty, this all-cotton blouse is woven on the back-strap loom in San Andres Larrainzar, Chiapas, from a cooperative we have been visiting for several years. Measures 23-1/4″ wide x 27″ long. $85
#11. Khadi Oaxaca Native Cotton
SOLD. #11. Khadi Oaxaca is an innovator in Oaxaca clothing design. They use the chakra (India’s spinning wheel) to process native white and coyuchi (brown) cotton into thread for weaving. This piece combines a warp of white thread with coyuchi cotton weft. The texture and softness is amazing. Measures 26″ wide x 34″ long. $195
#12. Embroidered whimsy from the Oaxaca coast. Look at the amazing detail on the collar with all the sea and land creatures from the neighborhood. On very good quality white manta cotton. Note the ribbon embellishments. 23″ wide x 24″ long. $125
#13. Ditto from #12. A different colorway in sunshine yellow with a square collar. Measures 24″ wide x 25″ long. $125
#13. Zinacantan Reversible Open Weave Dress
#13. This dress is hand-woven on the back strap loom in Zinacantan, Chiapas. It is an open weave which adds interest and texture. Here, you have two dresses in one. It’s reversible! Cotton. Suggest machine wash on cold separately or in a mesh laundry bag. 23-1/2×38. $125
#14. Arte y Seda designed dress
SOLD 14. The Rina Dress. Rina is a weaver, dyer and designer. She is part of the Arte y Seda weaving family in Teotitlan del Valle. She designed, dyed (with wild marigold), and sewed this beautiful dress with hand-made shell button. The waist is 32” in circumference. The bodice is 22″ wide and 46” long. $165
Shawl 24 x 82 $195
#15. Fuschine dyed shawl, handwoven on the back strap loom in Santiago Ixtlayutla, near Pinotepa de Don Luis on the Oaxaca coast. Fuschine is not a natural dye but coveted by locals for its purple color. The designs in the cloth are woven with silk. This protein fiber absorbs the dye. The fabric is then carefully folded while wet so that the color intentionally bleeds mimicking the design on the cloth. Measures 24″ wide x 82″ long. $195
Dress 31×48
#16. Fuschine dye huipil, with stunning patterning woven into the cloth. Note the simple and beautifully executed randa (joining stitch). See #15 more more detailed description of the dye process. Measures 31″ wide x 48″ long. $495.
38 long x 40w. $285
SOLD. #17. It’s rare to find this hand-woven textile from the Oaxaca coast. It is no longer being woven in its village of origin. We found this in a trunk on our last visit to Pinotepa Nacional — in perfect condition. A true collector’s piece and definitely wearable. Measures 40″ wide x 38″ long. $245
Posted onTuesday, November 12, 2024|Comments Off on Day 2: Shop Wool from Norma’s Oaxaca Closet: Deep Discounts
Ends Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 3 PM! Perfect for winter warmth.
For years, I’ve stored beautiful wool hand wovens from Oaxaca and Chiapas in a cedar chest that Teotitlan del Valle carpenter Elias made for me. This cedar chest is called a baule, which traditionally is gifted at Zapotec weddings to store valuables and clothing that need protection from critters. They always had a lock and were often painted with the name of the bride and the date of marriage. I will return to the USA at the end of the coming week and offer these to you as part of my collection that I’m paring down. Many of these texxtiles are naturally dyed and artisan made. I have treasured them because I know everyone who has created them. Some are pieces were purchased years ago, so they have collector value. Most have never been or rarely been worn. So, very much LIKE NEW.
Please purchase before 3 PM on November 14. I will be packing them to take with me when I return to New Mexico for the winter holidays and mail them to you after November 20 — just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Perfect for wearing or gifting!
Pieces are priced FAR BELOW what was paid for them. Priced to SELL.
How to Buy: Send me an email to tell me which item(s) you want BY NUMBER and by name of item. Send me your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number. Tell me if you want to purchase using a Zelle transfer or a credit card. If you use a credit card, we add a 4% service fee. There is no extra fee for using Zelle. If you want Zelle, please tell me how your Zelle account is registered. For mailing, I will add a $14 packing and mailing charge. I am NOT putting these items for sale in the SHOP — only here!
Thank you!
#1 Indigo Poncho
#1. Indigo Poncho handwoven in Teotitlan del Valle by master weaver Roman Gutierrez Ruiz. He is an invited exhibitor at the Feria de Chapala, Original in Mexico City, and expoventas at the Museo Textil de Oaxaca. Román Gutiérrez Ruiz is a third generation weaver, taught this craft by his family as their business. There are currently 5 people in their workshop — spinning, carding, embroidering, and sewing.
Teotitlán del Valle is famous for its pedal loom rugs. Román has been teaching at the center of arts of San Agustin Etla for 12 years and about 6000 students have passed through his workshop. He has won numerous awards include the FONART Presidential Grand Prize, and the National Great Works of Popular Art Living Legends. One size fits all. Measures: 30″ long from neck V to hem, and 43″ wide from shoulder to shoulder. Priced reduction: $195 down from $245.
#2. Chiapas PomPom Throw
#2. Hand-woven on the back strap loom in San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, this is a versatile textile that can be used as a shawl, a throw, or just a decorative textile. The wool comes from brown Churro sheep brought to the America’s by the Spanish. It is hand-carded on the drop spindle loom. This textile is very soft and wearable. The pom poms are handmade from dyed wool. Measures 24″ wide x 68″ long. Prices to sell at $85.
#3 Puebla Quechquemitl
SOLD. #3. A warm brown quechquemitl woven on the back strap loom high in the mountains in the State of Puebla. Natural wool with hand embroidered threads colored with natural dyes. See the elaborate fringes. A soft, luscious fabric very comfortable to wear. This is a pre-Hispanic garment worn by indigenous women original woven with cotton. Easy on and off — just pull it over your head. Wear like a short poncho. The Spanish conquest brought wool to the Americas. Measures 29″ long from neck V x 38″ wide across the shoulder. Priced to sell at $145.
#4 Mixtec Poncho
#4. From Remigio Mestas’ curated collection at Los Baules de Juana Cata, this Mixtec poncho is woven on the back strap loom from soft, natural sheep wool. Note the red cochineal accent strip that runs along both edges of the textile. The randa, joining stitch, is fine and well executed. A perfect piece for winter warmth that will carry you will into chilly spring evenings. Beautiful drape! Priced reduction: $145 down from $195.
#5 Indigo Ombre Shawl
SOLD. #5. Glorious soft white wool woven on the flying shuttle loom by our friend Arturo Hernandez in Mitla, it is dyed with three shades of indigo. The hand-twisted fringes are masterful. If you love indigo, this piece shows off all the color variations of the first, second and third dye baths. Measures 27″ wide by 89″ long — long enough to wrap around your neck two or three times! Priced to sell at $145.
#6 Tlahuitoltepec Shawl
SOLD. #6. A luscious medium blue shawl with a very intricate hand-knotted fringe from the Mixe village of Tlahuitoltepec about two and a half hours beyond the Valles Centrales de Oaxaca high in the Sierra Madre del Sur. This beautiful indigo shawl is colored with naturally dyed wool. It takes months to tie a fringe this detailed. Measures 24″ wide x 82″ long. Priced to sell at $135.
I’m at my casita in Teotitlan del Valle and will return to the USA at the end of the coming week. I’m looking at the handwoven blusas and huipilesin my closet here! A collection of naturally dyed and artisan made textiles that I have treasured because I know everyone who has created them. Many are pieces I purchased years ago, so they have collector value. Most have never been or rarely been worn. So, very much LIKE NEW.
I’m reposting this. Glitches on website yesterday! Thanks for understanding.
Please purchase before 3 PM on November 14. I will be packing them to take with me when I return to New Mexico for the winter holidays and mail them to you after November 20 — just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Perfect for wearing or gifting!
20 pieces. Scroll all the way down!
Pieces are priced FAR BELOW what was paid for them. Priced to SELL.
How to Buy: Send me an email to tell me which item(s) you want BY NUMBER and by name of item. Send me your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number. Tell me if you want to purchase using a Zelle transfer or a credit card. If you use a credit card, we add a 4% service fee. There is no extra fee for using Zelle. If you want Zelle, please tell me how your Zelle account is registered. For mailing, I will add a $14 packing and mailing charge. I am NOT putting these items for sale in the SHOP — only here!
Thank you!
Reindeer Smocked Blouse #117”w 26 long
#1. Reindeer Smocked Blouse from Tijaltepec, Oaxaca. The animal figures are created by smocking the 100% cotton fabric. Green trim is embroidered. Note the amazing sleeves. A perfect outfit for the holidays and seasonal festivities. Measures 17″ wide x 26″ long. Size M-L. $135 USD.
106×110 cm
#2. This is an amazing back strap loomed 100% cotton poncho colored with natural dyes. I bought it from Los Baules de Juana Cata, curated by Remigio Mestas, in the historic center of Oaxaca. It is likely from the Mixteca Alta and made with a great deal of care and detail. Notice the hand-twisted fringes and the soft drape! Measures 45″ wide x 43″ long. $295
31x 45
#3. Completely created by hand on a back strap loom in Cancuc, Chiapas, this 100% cotton garment is embellished with hand-embroidered detailing using synthetic yarns in the traditional colors of the village. Belt it or wear it as a robe. Size L-XL. Measures 31″ wide x 45″ long. $145.
#4. Ejutla Oaxaca Blusa
SOLD. #4. A finest quality manta (natural cotton) blusa (blouse) from Ejutla, Oaxaca, purchased some years ago from Los Baules de Juana Cata curated by Remigio Mestas. He works with only the finest weavers and embroiderers in remote villages. The bodice and sleeve edging are embroidered with the finest cotton threads. The color mix is a dark lavender-gray. The fabric drapes beautifully. The neck tie is strong and sturdy. I’m unable to wear this because it is now way too big on me. Size L-XL. Measures 28″ wide x 24″ long. $165 USD.
35×41 long
SOLD. #5. One of my favorite Oaxaca villages is San Juan Colorado. It is a remote village on the coast and we will visit there in 2026. (email me if you want to be notified about this tour) Huipiles and blusas are created on the backstrap loom. This huipil is made with 100% cotton and natural dyes. The green is raw indigo. The red is cochineal and the brown is nut shells and leaves. A stunning piece. Measures 25″ wide x 41″ long. Size M-L. $235 USD.
23”wide x 25” long
#6. From the southern Oaxaca coast village of San Mateo del Mar, this fine gauze blouse was woven on the back strap loom. It features sea creatures, wildlife, and plants from the region including ducks, palm trees, and roosters. It is a size S-M. Measures 23″ wide x 25″ long. $95
26” wide x 35” long
#7. In Pinotepa de Don Luis on the Oaxaca coast, the rare purple snail dye is used sparingly to decorate hand-woven textiles. The figures include the double headed eagle, rows of corn, and people holding hands in community. This huipil has more purple snail dye than is typically used, making it a special piece. The white cotton threads are hand-spun on the drop spindle malacate by Monica from the famed family of Don Habacuc Avedano. Size M. Measures 26″ wide x 35″ long. $285.
118 long x 88 wide cm
#8a. This is a super-sized fuschine-dyed huipil from Santiago Ixtlayutla on the coast of Oaxaca, and is considered rare! The back strap loom woven dress, embellished with flora and fauna designs, is cotton with the designs woven in silk. The silk, a protein based fiber, absorbs the dye. The bleeding of the color is an intentional part of the process. The garment is folded after weaving, soaked in water, then dipped in dye. The bleeding mirrors the woven design. I purchased this from the private collection of Oaxaca textile museum founder in 2007 and rarely worn. Notice the tight randa (joining embroidery stitch) — hard to find this quality these days. Dry clean only. Size L-XL. Measures 34″ wide x 46″ long. Priced to sell at $595.
#9 Pinotepa de Don Luis Huipil28” wide x 36” long
SOLD. #8b. This is a traditional woven textile from Pinotepa de Don Luis on the Oaxaca coast. It is not natural dyes yet it is one of the most finely woven pieces of cloth I have seen in years. Size L-XL. Measures 28″ wide x 36″ long. Priced to sell at $135.
23-12” long x 22” wide. Adjustable neck. Sleeves 18” long
#9. Curated by Merry Elizabeth Foss who worked with seamstresses and embroiderers in the remote mountainous region of Puebla state, this Chakira (beaded) blouse is white on white. Not the fine embroidered trim around the adjustable neckline and sleeve. Merry sold these at Malouf on the Square in Santa Fe at over $400 USD. Size S-M. Measures 22″ wide x 23-1/2″ long. Priced to sell at $125.
27” wide x 104 cm long drop sleeve 18”
SOLD. #10. Vintage Guatemala ikat heavier weight cotton fabric designed into a contemporary style dress with two huge front pockets from one of the finest Oaxaca shops. Machine washable or dry clean. Size L-XL. Measures 27″ wide x 41″ long with an 18″ long sleeve. Priced to sell at $135.
50×61 cm
SOLD. #11. From the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, machine embroidered blouse on wine colored cotton fabric with frilly sleeve. All Oaxaca blouses embroidered on a machine are distinctive because the embroiderer hand-guides the needle — so we consider this made by hand. Size S. Measures 20″ wide x 24″ long. Priced to sell at $65.
11” across bodice, 27” armpit to armpit, 124 cm long
#12. Oh My Goodness. Drop dead gorgeous. Try to find something like this in your quest for finest hand embroidery anywhere. This is punto de cruz — cross-stitch — along with incredible hand-smocking on bodice and sleeves. This is a vintage piece in very good condition, very wearable. From Michoacan. Size S-M. Embroidered bodice measures 11″ across; 27″ wide armpit-to-armpit; and 50″ long. Priced to sell at $165.
#13. Purple Ruana
SOLD. #13. Ruana is a modified poncho, open in the front and on the sides. Wear it straight or sling one or both front panels over your shoulder for a superb fashion statement. Natural dyes. From curator collector Remigio Mestas at Los Baules de Juana Cata. Measures 34″ long. The two front panels are 19″ wide each. The back panel is 38″ wide. One size fits all. $145 USD.
#14 Coyuchi Poncho
SOLD. #14. From Pinotepa de Don Luis, Oaxaca. Coyuchi is native brown cotton that pre-dates the Spanish conquest. As a native grown plant, it is harvested, seeded by hand, then beaten and spun on a drop spindle malacate. Very labor intensive. This piece is embellis with figures dyed with purple snail dye — very rare. One size fits all. Measures 38″ wide x 28″ long. $195.
#15 Aldama, Chiapas Huipil
#15. From indigenous designer Alberto Lopez Gomez, who is featured in New York Fashion Week and winner of international awards, this huipil is woven on the back strap loom in Magdalena Aldama, Chiapas. Size S. Measures 22″ wide x 22″ long. $195.
#16 Huipil Magdalena Aldama, Chiapas
#16. Albert Lopez Gomez designed this piece that was woven on the back strap loom in Magdalena Aldama, Chiapas where talented Maya women in his family create glorious cloth. The human figures at the bottom of the bodice represent the gods who hold the universe on their shoulders. Size S. Measures 20″ wide x 22-1/2″ long. Priced to sell at $170.
#17 Khadi Oaxaca Natural Dyes
#17. Blue. Khadi Oaxaca is a workshop known for its lightweight garments made on the back strap or flying shuttle loom with all natural dyes. This tunic is dyed with indigo with wild marigold. Size S. 21″ wide x 28″ long, 11″ vents. Great over skirts or slacks. Layer over an insulated shirt for winter wearing! $95
#19. Khadi Oaxaca Indigo + Wild Marigold
#18. Teal. Khadi Oaxaca is a workshop known for its lightweight garments made on the back strap or flying shuttle loom with all natural dyes. This tunic is dyed with indigo with wild marigold. Size S. 21″ wide x 28″ long, 11″ vents. Great over skirts or slacks. Layer over an insulated shirt for winter wearing! $95
#19. Green Khadi Oaxaca
#19. Green. Khadi Oaxaca is a workshop known for its lightweight garments made on the back strap or flying shuttle loom with all natural dyes. This tunic is dyed with indigo with wild marigold. Size S. 21″ wide x 28″ long, 11″ vents. Great over skirts or slacks. Layer over an insulated shirt for winter wearing! $85.
#20. Native Oaxaca Green Cotton + Purple Snail Dye
SOLD. #20. Very rare and sought after native green Oaxaca cotton, hand-spun, woven on a back-strap loom, and embellished with figures dyed in rare purple snail dye. A one-of-a-kind. The green cotton is pre-Hispanic and used by indigenous weavers long before the Spanish conquest. It is amazing that it still survives today, although in very small quantities. Woven in Pinotepa de Don Luis, Oaxaca on the coast. Size M. Measures 25″ wide x 28″ long. $195.
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 + folk art expert
Norma Schafer has lived 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 private 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. 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
December 6-14: Oaxaca Textile Tour and Workshopsincluding dye and weaving workshops, Tlacolula market, spinning village visits, plus lots more. With Fiber Circle Studio, Petaluma, California. Registration open!
January 11-17, Deep Dive Into Oaxaca: Cooking, Culture + Craft.Take a cooking class and printmaking workshop, visit artisan studios, weavers, and potteries, eat street tacos, taste artisanal mezcal, shop at markets, and explore the depths. SOLD OUT
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.
October: Japan Folk Art and Textile Tour.ONE SPACE OPEN! Email us.
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 a pottery master and then have lunch with a traditional Oaxaca Cook, who is the mole-making expert. In Mitla, we meet with our favorite flying shuttle loom weaver, and then finish off with a mezcal tasting at a palenque you may 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. You can click here to Buy Map. After you click, you can check PayPal to double-check you included your email address. We fulfill each order personally. It is not automatic.
