authentic handmade

The tortilla plays a central role in Central and North American cuisine having first originated in prehistoric Mexico, but today enjoys an increasing presence and high popularity in other cultures. Specializing in handmade kitchen accents, Zapotec community member Olga Jimenez weaves this ultramarine blue cotton tortilla warmer on the backstrap loom just as her ancestors have done since the 1500s. Use this warmer to heat tortillas in the microwave, improving their taste and flexibility for preparations such as tacos or burritos.

Bursting with life, these cotton placemats showcase the vibrant artistry of Guatemala’s San Antonio Palopo Cooperative. Handwoven with bold, colorful stripes and playful fringes, they transform any dining table into a celebration. The four matching napkins complete this festive set, bringing the authentic spirit of traditional Guatemalan craftsmanship directly to your home.

Traditional Oaxacan alebrije artistry reaches new heights in this spectacular hand-painted sculpture of a coiled snake, where copal wood transforms into a kaleidoscope of cultural expression. Mexican artisans Eugenia and Roberto Sosa's dedication to authentic techniques shines through every meticulously applied brushstroke while their environmentally responsible harvesting methods protect copal trees by utilizing only naturally fallen branches. The result is a breathtaking figurine adorned with ancestral patterns that pulse with life and meaning.

Prepare herbs, spices and sauces the way our ancestors did--with handmade stone tools. The Comonfort Group presents this traditional basalt molcajete or mortar, crafted by hand in a labor-intensive process. The pestle, called a tejolote, is used to grind or crush the foodstuffs in the molcajete. The molcajete can also be used as a unique serving dish for salsa or guacamole.

The artisans recommend that the molcajete be "cured" before the first use. To cure the molcajete, place some dried beans, corn or rice in the bowl and grind with the pestle until pulverized. Allow the pulverized grain to sit for 15 minutes. Once this has been done, the molcajete can be hand washed and allowed to dry. This step will ensure that any stone dust remaining from the carving process does not affect the food.

Artisan Isabelle Collins uses traditional methods and materials to craft these Talavera-style decorative ceramic tiles. Authentic Talavera pottery, which dates back to the 16th century, comes only from the state of Puebla and must be made according to exacting specifications. The beautiful tiles would make a magnificent backsplash or as decoration for a fireplace mantel.

Asunta Pelaez evokes the golden sun of springtime and the song of birds in the late afternoon. Delicately painted by hand, bright flowers appear everywhere in this extravagant wall mirror. Its graceful lines and golden borders are sensuous and elegant.