Our gallery store is open. Visit us each Monday when we offer a selection of handmade textiles, alebrijes, clothing, jewelry and other Mexican collectibles from Shop Mexico: The Artisan Sisters on-line store. We ship fast. We pay the artist what they ask without bargaining. We pass our fair trade practices on to you!
Today, we offer you a beautiful tapete (rug) from Teotitlan del Valle, a nested set of hand-painted gourds from Arrazola alebrijes artist Bertha Cruz, and a gorgeous laquered gourd with lid from Guerrero.
1. SOLD. This tapete (rug) is hand-woven with 100% wool colored with natural dyes: cochineal, pericone (wild marigold), indigo and the natural color of churro sheep wool (black and white). It is a knock-out and could adorn a wall or floor. Or drape it over the back of a chair, sofa or on an ottoman. The wool is sturdy and you can walk on it (my Teotitlan rugs have been on my floor in high-traffic areas for seven years without looking aged). It comes from the studio of Bii-Dauu cooperative known for quality and sustainable development practices. New, never used. Pattern is combination Eye-of-God and Zapotec Greca. 36″wide x 50″ long. Item # 1-6042012. $300 USD.
2. SOLD. Set of three nested bowls, meticulously hand-painted on gourds by Arrazola artist Bertha Cruz. They are stunning and whimsical, just as you would expect from this talented alebrijes painter. It is rare to find this quality of gourd painting in Oaxaca and when I visited, Bertha only had these three available. Perfect for serving nuts, chips or candy (not for cooking or serving hot or soft food). Or, use them for a wall still life! The largest bowl measures 7″long x 8″ wide x 4″ high. Item #2-6042012. $68 USD.
3. This amazing hand-painted lacquered gourd has a removable lid and is one of the finest examples of lacquerware I have seen from Guerrero, Mexico. The flowers really pop on this deep plum background. The gourd measures 8″ high from the base to the tip of the stem handle of the lid and 9″ in diameter. Item #3-6042012. $95 USD.
For a complete listing of everything we offer for sale, see Shop Mexico page on this site. We’ve marked SOLD on items that are not available.
Don’t forget to contact us first by email to see if the item you want is still available. We will send you a PayPal invoice after we calculate shipping costs based on your Zip Code. Many thanks, The Artisan Sisters.
Come see Oaxaca for yourself during Day of the Dead and attend our Photography Expedition, October 28-November 4.
Oaxaca Hand-crafted Condiments: Suculenta Food Gallery
Food design gallery Suculenta, on Avenida Porfiirio Diaz #207-G, Oaxaca Centro
You might walk by the unmarked building painted sky blue and not even notice what’s inside. Down the street from Boulanc bakery on Av. Porfirio Diaz, closer to Morelos than Murguia, is Suculenta.
Unmarked store front with hidden delicious secrets inside
The food gallery is an off-shoot of the bakery where hand-crafted jellies, jams, edible oils, cheeses, herbs and fresh wild mushrooms from the Sierra Norte are featured prominently on custom-built wood shelving and in commercial refrigerator cases.
Pink wild mushrooms fresh from the Sierra Norte, Oaxaca
This is where Paulina Garcia Hernandez works her culinary magic in a small space that yields big — and delicious — results. By her side is Daniel Lopez Gonzalez who attends to procuring deliciousness from the best purveyors.
Daniel weighs wild mushrooms that grower has just brought in
Not much more to say, other than a great gift for self or another — to drizzle or spread
Jars of succulent condiments to top with, marinate and savor
Shelves are stocked with wild mushroom marinated in vinaigrette, pickled carrots, cucumbers, and vegetable mix. Here you can find organic honey infused with cardamom, too.
Natural light illuminates the interior of Suculenta where Paulina works
All the cooking and canning is done on the premises using fresh organic fruits and vegetables that are local to Oaxaca. Purveyors are selected for the quality of what they produce. Paulina and Daniel establish personal relationships with each.
Paulina’s hand-crafted hibiscus (jamaica) jelly
Sibestre Perez Hernandez brings wild mushrooms to Oaxaca from three-hours away
Silbestre Perez Hernandez comes to Oaxaca from Pueblo Manzanito Tepantepec, in the municipality of Santa Maria Peñoles in the Mixteca mountains west of Zimatlan. Here he harvests the most gorgeous mushrooms I’ve ever seen. He delivers them to Suculenta weekly. I was there on a Tuesday morning to watch the harvest come in.
Top shelf, my favorite: kefir cheese in olive oil, bay leaf, whole black pepper
The artisanal cheese is wonderful for omelets, on top of toast or to eat as a post-dinner course with fresh fruit and a glass of mezcal.
A sampling of hand-crafted rooibos tea, from Andres Alquiara
Andres Alquiara developed a recipe for rooibos tea that he brought to Suculenta for sampling. I smelled it. Delicious. Succulent! Andres is a barrista and his full-time job is at La Brujula. He has a passion for great food and beverage.
This mixed vegetable medley has onions, chiles and spices — top on sandwiches
This creative food gallery endeavor reminds me of a time past when I owned and operated a gourmet cookware shop and cooking school. I, too, once made and sold jams, jellies, cheesecakes, and catered meals. Now, I prefer to support those who believe that good food is an essential part of living a quality life.
For example, flavored oils (sesame) and vinegars (apple) for eating and cooking!
Pickled scallions in vinaigrette — another dill pickle version
Suculenta, Porfirio Diaz #207-G, Centro Historico, Tel: 951-321-3756 (closed Sunday)
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Dining and Lodging, Food & Recipes, Photography, Travel & Tourism
Tagged condiments, food, gallery, gourmet, health, Oaxaca, photos, recipes, shop, store, Suculenta, wild mushrooms