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Marco Bautista

Marco Bautista

Handwoven Zapotec wool rugs and totes in Mexico

"Weaving became a big part of me because it helped pay for my education and I’m very proud to have learned this family art from my parents."

"I'm Marco Bautista from Oaxaca and I weave wool textiles on a traditional Zapotec loom. My friends say I'm an enthusiastic and extroverted person. I like to work as a team to solve problems.

"As a university student, I had to work to help my parents to pay for my education, and my best alternative was what I do well — weaving.

"I would leave at 5 a.m. every morning and take two buses to get to my 7 a.m. class and then return home around 3 p.m. to weave rugs until 8 p.m. On weekends, I would weave all day. Weaving became a big part of me because it helped pay for my education and I'm very proud to have learned this family art from my parents. It was a lovely time when I could combine my education with art.

"Traditional Zapotec weaving is an art that's been passed down from generation to generation. I learned from my parents, who learned from their parents who in turn, learned from their own parents. When I was eight years old, I started with the basics, which consisted of winding the threads on a bamboo spool. By 2006, I was able to weave small rugs.

"My technique continues to improve, although there is always something new to learn. I'd like to stay involved with the handcrafts my community creates, work on our processes and designs, and promote our work. I'd also like to teach others in the future.

"I've spent a lot of time to create the textiles I now weave, learning about the weavings and looms of other cultures through magazines and books. I apply that knowledge to improve my designs and techniques. Sharing this knowledge with others is a pleasure.

"We work with virgin wool known as churra, for its rustic textures. Wool is a challenging fiber to work with, as it is very fine and can break if it's too tense. We're very careful when we weave. Most of our dyes are natural, obtained from tree bark, leaves, flowers and plants.

"We use the tapestry technique on traditional floor looms, and I draw the geometric motifs directly onto the warp. I then fill them in with the horizontal, or weft, yarns. The flat or geometric figures are fun to weave but the concave or curved patterns are very difficult because you need to weave between the empty spaces where there is no warp thread to define the outline.

"I'm inspired by Oaxaca's pre-Hispanic Zapotec temples and archaeological sites. I'm also inspired by landscapes, stars, cloud formations, mountains, the colors on the horizon and animals. In addition, I sometimes create contemporary designs using our ancestral techniques.

"Making a career of this art is exciting and also challenging, as I work with family members and neighbors in my community. Creating designs, color schemes and dye samples takes time. I then create a sample for the weavers who collaborate with me to use as a model. We all work in a family setting.

"I highly value creativity and all of us contribute our own creative ideas to our designs.

"In recent years, many people from our town have given up weaving or have moved to the cities in search of a better life. My dream is to contribute to the preservation of this beautiful tradition, which is why I see my workshop as a way to create jobs in the community and my family. This, in turn, will benefit the wool providers, local shops, and the artisans ourselves, thus providing an incentive to perpetuate our ancestral textile skills."

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Preserving Traditions

Customer Reviews

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Artist rating

Total reviews

Sharon

Verified Reviewer

10/05/2020

"Lots of compliments!!"

Beautifully crafted handbag. Great size Love it!!!

Purchased Item:

Godlike Eye in Khaki, Zapotec Wool Baguette Handbag in Khaki from Mexico

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cowbirdcat1

From USA

Verified Reviewer

03/27/2020

"Essential autumn accessory"

I adore this bag, the symbolism and colors paired with contemporary baguette style achieve an all at once primitive and modern concept . Strap length is just right for snug fit without being too tight. I would love to see this in a tote, possibly more colors? I?d buy again if different bag styles and design options presented. Excellent symmetry, classic artistry!

Best Uses

Can fit cell phone, small wallet, small cosmetics or chapstick
Cell phone, wallet, keys

Purchased Item:

Pumpkin Arrow, Hand Made Wool Baguette Handbag in Pumpkin from Mexico

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zee

From new york city, NY USA

Verified Reviewer

01/21/2020

"great city bag"

Marco Bautista does it again. This is my third wool bag by him. I now have a small, medium and large. Large is for traveling. Medium is for everyday with a lot of stuff. This one is everyday stream lined. Actually fits everything, even a small umbrella. Love this bag. Always receive a compliment on color and print...

Tags By zee

Casual chic

Best Uses

everyday great style

Purchased Item:

Elegant Geometry, Handwoven Geometric Shoulder Bag from Mexico

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zee

From new york city, NY USA

Verified Reviewer

11/13/2019

"One beautiful Tote...."

Design and colors are beautiful. Inside is well finished with 2 pockets. One is zippered the other is open. The handles are a soft suede.

Tags By zee

Best Uses

Shopping or as over nite bag

Purchased Item:

Diamond Bliss, Wool Shoulder Bag with Zapotec Diamond Pattern and Leather

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Shelby

Verified Reviewer

09/04/2019

"Beautiful handcrafted work"

What an amazing piece of work I get to display each day now. This piece exudes happiness ?

Best Uses

Daily purse; also good for concealed carry

Purchased Item:

Pumpkin Arrow, Hand Made Wool Baguette Handbag in Pumpkin from Mexico

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Maryanne Bernini

Verified Reviewer

05/05/2019

"Exactly what I was looking for"

Beautifully made and just what I needed for this spot. It was just what the room needed to feel finished. Having visited Oaxaca years ago, I remembered the local rug making and appreciative being able to order this on line and receive such a beautiful piece of work. Thank you.

Purchased Item:

Desert Diamonds, 100% Wool Area Rug in Red Black and Tan with Diamonds (2x3)

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Marco Bautista

Cause Badges

23 items by Marco Bautista

Customer Reviews

"Lots of compliments!!"

"Essential autumn accessory"

"great city bag"

"One beautiful Tote...."

"Beautiful handcrafted work"

"Exactly what I was looking for"

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