Mexican Wholesale

Since the beginning of the history of Mexican ceramics, ceramics took a prevailing place in the lives of Mexican people. Since the appearance of the Olmec culture, which is considered to be the “mother of the Mesoamerican cultures,” anthropomorphic figures, vessels and various types of utensils found in the archaeological ruins of the ancient Olmec cities of Tajin, San Lorenzo, La Venta and Tres Zapotes, all suggest the techniques they used in their ceramics: use of clay, knowledge of some primitive firing techniques and their ways of painting designs and coloring.

The Olmecs (1500 B.C. – 800 A.D.)  left their knowledge to the future cultures.

The Teotihuacans transcended their era (1500 B.C. – 800 A.D) made most of their vessels with clay and decorated them with a variety of techniques: mainly stucco, smoothing and painting.

The Aztecs (1325 A.D. – 1521 A.D.) pottery varied widely. They made all types of earthenware, pots, cups, jugs and plates, mostly with orange and red clay.

The Mixtecs stood out for their polychrome lacquer ceramics. After polishing each piece, they would cover it with white stucco and then paint over it.

Over to the north of Mexico the Casas Grandes (100 A.D. – 1360 A.D.) produced beautiful polychrome ceramic. They made them basically with geometric motives and influences from the Mimbres Culture.

Every region had its own unique characteristics of Mexican ceramics. Yet, in all these cultures, the potter himself was given very much importance. The Aztecs summed it up this way:

“A good potter:

• He puts great care into his work,
• He teaches the clay to lie,
• He speaks with his own heart,
• He brings life to things,
• He creates them,
• He knows  everything as if he were a Toltee
• He makes his hands skillful.”

The same ancient techniques used to make Mexican ceramics are still being used today in some parts of Mexico. These groups were able to preserve the artistic techniques such as coil building, natural pigments and open firing.

This colorful ceramic decor will make any room or patio come to life. What room would you like to decorate with colorful Mexican ceramics. It’s easier than you think and I am more than happy to help.  

Making Of Equipale Chair

 The making of Equipale Mexican Furniturecan be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. It is considered a religious type object and it represents social status.

Uniquely, Mexican Equipales  Furniture is still made in the traditional way. They are still made with ‘palo de la rosa’ the same as the original equipales.  The wood is cut on a full moon because it is believed that the wood is the hardest then. Equipales furniture is made with leather, wood and “ixtle” a derivative of the cactus.

Families have made Equipales since Hueman, the Aztec shamon taught the ‘Equipalera’   technique of the Gods to the early settlers. Today Equipales link the mythical past to a modern cultural icon.

Traditionally the frame of the equipal is joined with ixtle, a type of vegetal fiber removed from the maguey cactus. The seat is also tied with this fiber. The procedure to prepare and to spin ixtle was learned from their ancestors: is extracted with cazanga, washed, dried, barabilla and spun.  Reeds and leather are attached  on the maguey fiver.  Pigskin is usually favored because it is porous and allows the air to circulate.

Equipal Furniture made from leather can last up to twenty years or more:

• The structure begins with  a lattice of crossed splints.  These are lashed top and bottom to bent wood pieces. This basic form makes the chair light but flexible and able to stand up to tough use.  The wood splints are traditionally split out, but are now cut out with a band-saw; less waste this way. Blanks for the splints are made and shaped with a machete and paring knife into pointed slats with notches at either end for lashings
•  The base is a thin (3/8” x 3”) piece of bent wood shaped to form an “O” or a “D” shape
•   The seat frame is the same shape but of bent willow.  The splints are crossed over one another and lashed top and bottom with twine
•  These lashings are cemented with a black adhesive that used to be a plant gum but in modern day may be asphalt or even spray. The seat has three layers. The first is made with a random weaving of maguey fiber looped around the bentwood seat frame.  Over this is placed a plaited seat of cane that has been flattened. On top of these, a piece of soaked leather is stretched and stitched or stapled to the bentwood seat rim
  •  The back is made by lashing willow poles to the seat frame and bending willow pieces over the supports for a continuous arm and backrest. Another piece of leather is stretched around this back and over the arms and stitched or stapled 
  •  Once dried, the leather stretches firmly over the the hole, giving it an inviting and comfortable look, in contrast to the rougher wood splints below.  In the higher priced-chairs the seat and back are packed with foam to give the chair an upholstered look and feel 
  • The real skill comes in the assembling, lashing and nailing the parts.

This most elaborate construction is made with only the simplest tools, a machete, a knife and a hammer. There are new versions as the Mexican designers and makers are working hard to accommodate every taste in Equipale Mexican furniture.

Equipale Furnitur includes pigskin barrel chairs, end tables, bar tables, coffee tables, peacock chairs, child barrel chairs, square foot stools,rectangular tables, bars stools, sofas, and so much more. Feel free to contact me whenever you need or want. I am always more than happy to help.

Mexican Pinata

Piñatas for Mexican Theme Parties

When it comes to Mexican goods, the Piñata is one of the first things that come to mind. Piñatas are enjoyed world wide for their festive presence and the promise of fun.  They are beautiful fabulous creations and are used for party decorations and are also used as a fun game.  Usually it is heightened at the end of a party with candies and toys inside it.

In the past piñatas offered traditional motifs, such as the seven pointed star and the classic donkey.  Today, piñatas can be purchased that look like Sponge Bob, Superman, and Mickey Mouse or just about anything you desire. Most of us associate piñatas as being only Mexican but their origins are elsewhere.

Unlike most Mexican goods, the piñata’s origins are multi cultural.  The merchant and great traveler, Marco Polis is known to have seen a version of the modern-day piñata when he was exploring in the Orient 13^th Century. He observed the Mandarin people celebrating the New Year.  They were celebrating with miniature representations of animals that were fashioned out of craft materials and made hollow to accommodate seeds.  On a given holiday, it would be displayed, usually hanging from a tree branch and beaten with a stick, therefore releasing the contents inside the piñata. Seeds represented a good forthcoming harvest and also portended wealth and prosperity.

Marco Polo, as legend claims, upon returning to his native Italy,  loaded his vessel with luxurious silks, exotic spices and he also brought an ancient version of the modern-day piñata and introduced it the Catholic Church, and it became intertwined with religious holidays. It was not long before the tradition spread from Italy to Spain which in turn came to New World from Spain. The missionaries used the piñata to teach the natives their religious doctrine. Interestingly, this method succeeded in teaching the indigenous peoples of Mexico because they already had their own version of the piñata.

The Aztecs would honor their god each year with a gift. This offering took shape in the form of a clay pot that contained presents. When the contents fell to the ground, it was a sign to the Aztecs that the offerings had been received.

Wearing a blindfold while trying to break open the piñata is also rooted in the past. The ancient Mayans were known to play their favorite game blindfolded. Taking note of this practice was the Spanish missionaries and they incorporated the blindfold into the teachings with the piñata.

Today, piñatas are one of the most sought after Mexican Goods. Piñatas are in very high demand in the United States.  The most popular piñatas have to do with a child’s birthday party. Children love the game as well as the hidden treasures inside.

Getting a piñata for your next event or party will truly give it a special festive feeling. Given time I can provide any and all shapes of pinatas. If you wish, I would be more than happy to help you with the planning or simply in  making suggestions for your Mexican party.

Talavera- Mexican Earthenware

Due to the Spaniards arrival, the blending of societies allowed the indigenous people of Mexico to learn combinations of styles that gave life to some of the more famous ceramic styles of  Mexican Earthenware such as Talavera or “majolica”.

Talavera from the state of Puebla is a descendant of the Arabic-Andalusion tradition, which began in the ninth century in Spain when the influence of the Arabic culture passed on its techniques to peninsular potters. In Talavera, de la Reina, Spain, it was very popular and it took a characteristic stylistic form in the 16^th Century. It was brought to the Americas, especially Nueva España (the new Spain,) as was the name that Mexico was called in colonial times.

Although the Mexican Earthenware Talavera is only produced in the state of Puebla, other majolica type earthenware is also produced in places such as Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Aallende.

As we go further west, in Tonala, Jalisco, which is another state in Mexico, there is a long tradition of ceramic production. Here in Jalisco, there is a more of a Persian influence, including such things as stew urns and the use of gold and silver.

In the city of Metepec in the State of Mexico, the ceramic tradition has been influence by Christian beliefs. This is where they create the well-known, arboles de la vida (trees of life,) because it explains the origins of life.  Most of the time there are figures of God, angles and Adam and Eve. Also popular are the figures of the serpent and some fruits. Red Ware is used to make things such as cooking pots, dishes and table dishes all of which are typical of the state of Michoacan.  The state of Oaxaca is famous for its barro negro or black clay.  The small town of Mata Ortiz in the state of Chihuahua, stands out for its beautiful pottery as well.

Within Talavera Mexican Earthenware, there now exists new forms and new designs for typical Mexican artwork. Late in the 1950s, stoneware or High Temperature ceramics appeared in Mexico. The origin of this type of ceramics is from China, Korea and Japan.

Mexican Ceramics bring together influences of pre-Hispanic, European, Arabic and Oriental Cultures. Whichever technique, Mexican ceramics have a flavor and individuality that is appreciated for its quality and art worldwide.

Talavera has such beauty that it has the ability transform any room. I am a big fan of Talavera and would love to help you get what you need or want.

Huichol Bead Work

Huichol Mexican Arts

One of the four indigenous groups living in the region known as the Gran Nayar, and have had big influence in Mexican Arts are the Huicholes. This region is located in the southern part of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains.

The Huichol people have made large contributions in the area of handicrafts within the Mexican Arts. The customs and traditions of this fascinating group of people are not well known as they are seldom seen outside of the central western region of Mexico, where they live.

The Huichols are known for their handicrafts, clothing, and food and ritual items. The characteristic style of dress for Huichol females is their short cotton blouse and flowering skirts. Their outfits are embroidered with colorful designs. They wear bright colored handkerchiefs that cover their hair and are bedecked with intricately detailed jewelry that is made of small beads. These tiny beads, which are known as chaquira or seed beads, play an integral role in Huichol handicrafts.

The Huichols creations include beaded jewelry and their ever famous ornate masks and other artisanal objects that are completely covered with beads. These eye catching pieces are made with the skillful placement of each individual bead on a layer of beeswax or Campeche wax that coats the surface of their pieces. The result is stunning handicrafts which are covered in a dazzling array of vibrant beaded patterns.

The Huichol are also known for their yarn paintings which are made in a similar way as their beaded handicrafts. Whether on a mask or on a piece of wood, it is covered in wax and then covered with colorful strands of yarn that are coiled into different designs.

The Huichol Mexican Arts provide an insight of their vibrant and complex culture. Their artwork and wardrobe, as well as their customs and traditions make them a fascinationg group of people.

I have seen many of the Mexican Huichol’s beaded jewelry, clothing, masks and yarn paintings and so much more and am happy to share my knowledge and opinions with you.

Huichol Beaded Sun

Mexican Decor - Wall Sun

Are you thinking about adding some life to your home?  An always refreshing festive look could make a huge difference in your home’s appearance.  Decorative Mexican Art Work and Southwestern décor are artrs that can  inspire and refresh your senses and can help you uniquely identify your home.  Mexican décor can include, southwestern lighting, metal wall art, Mission table lamps, southwest switch plate covers, Kokopelli towel bars, novelty accessories and more.

In most Native American Languages, there is no word for ‘art’ because it is synonymous with prayer.  There is much art in most native tribes, such as the Huichol of Mexico who create their art by applying seed beads to wax covered bowls and figurines with a long needle.  As we think about this, we begin to understand the concept of the art as meditation.  In order to accomplish this, the artist must be focused and his brain waves slowed down to an alpha state.  The idea of art as prayer gives reference to artists and spiritual significance to their creative work.

Decorative mexican artwork and top Native Americans art represents all those things in life which bring us joy; children, family, love, environment, spirituality and culture.  Turquoise represents the people.  It is symbolic. Native Americans are often symbolized by the color “red,” but this misrepresentation that was created by the Europeans.  Native Americans did not think of themselves as “redskins,” which many of the people feel is a derogatory term.  They thought of themselves as Turquoise because it is a native stone and because the different matrix in each piece of Turquoise is symbolic of the uniqueness found in human nature.

With a this in mind you can see each piece of decorative mexican art work and visualize the beauty of its’ origin. Whether it is Telavera, Kokopelli, or rustic southwestern, you are now better able to give your home a refreshed festive look with Native American art. I am always more than happy to help you.

Mexican Decor - Table with decorative vace

There is such beauty in Mexican goods.Mexico’s decor can transform any room into a beautiful festive place. It is also able to turn your back yard into a wonderful party area. Mexican decor can include everything from kitchen napkins to lighting fixtures.

So what is it about Mexican goods such as furniture and decorations that make them so sought after?  Is it the festive mood it brings with it or could it be the traditional designs? Maybe it’s the pottery, antiques, textiles, clothing or fine arts.  Whatever your wants or desires are, if it’s Mexican made, it’s authentic and often, it’s a one of a kind.

Decorating is fun and easy. You can start with as little as you want and take one area or room at a time. Many prefer to begin with the kitchen and back yard as it is most often where gatherings or parties are held.  There is, of course much more to Mexican decor than party supplies such as antique furniture, beautiful colorful blankets and table runners, dishes and so much more.

Accessories are of most important when it comes to Mexican goods and decorating. The designs and colors are vast but all have the same quality and beauty. If planned properly, even a little Mexican decor can dramatically brighten up any room.

A well rounded combination of uniqueness and colors will make any room come alive. If custom creation is what you are looking for, I am more than happy to help. Having lived in and with the Mexican culture my entire life has given me a special authentic taste for all kind of Mexican Goods.

So, go ahead and liven up your house. Whether it be for adding spice to your kitchen or decorating for a party, I can help.  Dare to custom decorate your house, one room at a time.