mexican artisan crafts

Greet the morning in style with this pretty handcrafted ceramic mug. Mexico's Topiltzin Castro creates the mug, using the same raw materials and techniques that have been used for hundreds of years in the state of Guanajuato. It features a hand-painted trellis-like motif in cerulean blue against an ivory ground, with accents in honeyed brown.

For this delightful ceramic mug, Alejandra Aceves depicts the motifs of the Otomi tenango — textiles covered with hand-embroidery on animal and plant designs drawn freehand on the fabric. Even cave art in the sierra of Mexico's Hidalgo state can come to life on these tenangos. The skilled artisans use a closed herringbone stitch now known as the Otomi stitch that shows only the outline of the patterns on the reverse side.

Fashioned of ceramic, two Talavera-style owls serve up drinks with Mexican hospitality. A master of Mexico's colonial Majolica ceramics, Gorky González creates these whimsical mugs. He signs his work "AT," for alfarería tradicional (traditional ceramics). He does not recommend these for the microwave.

For this cheerful ceramic mug, Alejandra Aceves depicts the colorful motifs of the Otomi tenango — textiles covered with hand-embroidery covering animal and plant designs drawn freehand on the fabric. Even cave art in the sierra of Mexico's Hidalgo state can come to life on these tenangos. The skilled artisans use a closed herringbone stitch now known as the Otomi stitch that shows only the outline of the patterns on the reverse side.

Inviting you to appreciate the beauty of traditional majolica handicrafts, Mexican artisan Gorky Gonzalez offers this beautiful pair of mugs. Crafted from ceramic, these mugs are painted by hand with colorful motifs. At the bottom, each mug is marked with the artisan's initials, as well as the letters "AT" for Alfarería Tradicional (Traditional Pottery).

Delicate azure blossoms and stars frolic with geometric motifs in shades of blue. By Mexican artisan Javier Servin, these exquisite ceramic cups and saucers for two are crafted by hand. The tiny petals, dots and crosshatching are meticulously created with a fine brush.

Enjoy your favorite beverage in this charming ceramic mug entirely crafted by hand in Talavera style by Mexican artisan Topiltzin Castro. The ivory mug features hand-painted trellis-like motifs in shades of blue so aside from being just a utilitarian object it is also a stunning decorative accent.

With an inspiration of making art accessible to all, Mexican artist Alejandra Aceves has one of her signed original paintings printed on this ceramic mug. The nostalgic and colorful painting depicts two traditional Mexican Maria dolls.

The charming doll originated in Mexico City when many Otomi and Mazahua people migrated to the capital in the 1970s. Due to their unique traditional clothing, the women became known as "Marias." An educational program was established for them and artist Diego Rivera's daughter, Guadalupe Rivera Marin, encouraged crafting these popular rag dolls as a way to generate income in the 1980s. Artisan women took the idea home to their Mazahua and Otomi towns and the dolls became popular throughout Mexico and abroad.

Artisans Fernando and Magali Pedro craft a charming mug from traditional barro negro ceramic. After a long and detailed process, this high-quality mug is ready to be that unique item that fills your cold morning with warmth.

A flower blossoms with scintillating beauty, spreading its petals throughout the ivory background of this cup and saucer. Like a kaleidoscope in blue undertones, the magnificent design is by Pedro Tecayehuatl, expert in the legendary art of Talavera-style ceramics from Puebla. Featuring black contours, the cobalt blue cup and saucer are crafted by hand.

Talavera is a distinctive art form brought to Mexico by artisans from Talavera de la Reina, Spain. The ceramic artisans of Puebla, Mexico then incorporated Chinese designs, thus creating the blue and oyster-white patterns traditionally associated with Talavera Poblana. Today there are also more "contemporary" designs that include yellow, green, orange, mauve, black and red.

National and international conventions require that a rigorous procedure be followed in the elaboration of authentic Talavera-style ceramics. Each individual piece will be slightly different, and therefore a unique work of art.