open ring

Gleaming sterling silver mined in Taxco becomes an elegant men's ring in the hands of Mexico's Roy Nilson. The artisan crafts the band with a contemporary design that's sure to become a favorite.

Forming a swirl at the front, high-polish sterling silver wraps the finger in an elegant ring from Mexico. Guillermo Arregui works in the traditional style of Taxco silversmithing, fitting the ring with a natural stone of turquoise.

Working in gleaming Taxco sterling silver, artisan Roy Nilson in Mexico creates this pretty cocktail ring. The ring is crafted in the shape of an open heart.

The futuristic dame inside you calls for a dapper complement with natural enchantment, and Fabiola Gonzalez's newest design is here to answer. Crafted in Mexico following avant-garde trends, this green leather handbag enriches its mystic modern aura with a gorgeous textile of colorful hues arranged in leafy and hummingbird details. The interior, secured by a zipper closure, features a zippered compartment and two open pockets for handy use.

"Mayahuel was said to have over 400 breasts, that's why the Mexica gods transformed her into a maguey plant. She is usually portrayed with full breasts and opened legs, as if giving birth," say artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association as they explain the rich symbolism of this ceramic sculpture. A piece inspired by the Laud Codex (1325-1521), this sculpture portrays Mayahuel as a mother as well as goddess of fertility who fed her children with the fermented juice of the maguey - known as pulque.

This little black bag is a must for when you need to keep a few things handy, but don't need a full-sized purse or travel bag. Crafted of supple black leather appropriate for men or women, it features zippered exterior compartments in the front and back and a second open pocket in the front beneath the flap. The main compartment has two inner pockets, one with a zipper. This versatile sling bag is the work of Mexican artisan Amilkar Granados.

Roy Nilson of Mexico designs a pendant celebrating love in all of its delicate beauty. The sterling silver heart-shaped pendant is topped by love doves. The scroll-framed, open-centered heart has a second, smaller heart dangling inside, and is trimmed in tiny sterling silver balls hanging like bells.

By Fabiola Gonzalez, this contemporary handbag takes shape in supple black leather. Her asymmetrical design permits it to be carried by the handles or over the shoulder. Leather lacings outline a panel of hand-embroidered cotton depicting a hummingbird amid colorful flowers, and a long leather tassel moves gracefully. Fully lined in black, the bag opens to reveal three inner pockets, one with a zipper.

A faceless woman meditates as she sits on an open book. Working with the linoleum block print technique, Marina Pallares explores her global vision for world peace. The artist explains that the butterfly alighting on the corner of the book symbolizes the transformation of a being who dragged herself along the ground, but transforms into a winged creature that will take flight. Gentle doves are released from her bowed head.

"This print arose from my vision of world peace," the Mexican artist comments. "It's very similar to my ideas about ecology. Everything begins with the individual person with a global vision. That is, when we find our own inner peace, it's inevitable that we'll project it to everyone around us.

"Meditation is one of the simplest ways to gain access to our inner being. It gives us a sense of union with everything and helps us remain in the present. Meditation and education make us more conscious.

"Peace begins in oneself, on the basis of self-knowledge, self-love and education, making ourselves one hundred percent responsible for our own lives."

Titled "La paz comienza por casa" in Spanish.