earthy decor

White rabbits chase glowing orange deer around an exquisite nierika, or votive beadwork composition by Kupihaute, which takes the shape of a flower with five wide petals.

The artisan, who writes fluently in the Huichol, Nahuatl, Spanish and English languages, talks about this work in his own words. "This nierika/mirror represents the duality of our existence. The rabbit symbolizes the permanent movement of earthiness reflected in the lunar mirror. The deer is the spirit that animates the movement of our wise memory, marking the spiral path of our ancestral cultures in permanent transformation and adaptation around the peyote-maize." The artist has created the word "eARThiness" to emphasize the word "art" found inside "earth." "For me, this eARThiness is very important and meaningful."

The intricate images are formed with tiny seed beads. Kupihuate patiently places them one at a time with a needle made of abalone shell onto a huanacaxtle wood backing. Beeswax is used instead of glue.

The process is totally spontaneous, with no previous sketch or design. It is guided by the artist's unconscious to tell the stories that remain in our collective ancestral memory. He signs his work with the symbol of a butterfly on the reverse side of the nierika.

With iridescent plumage, cut-out wings, and a textured body, this larger-than-life hummingbird wall sculpture brings a dazzling sense of movement to your decor. Handcrafted by J.Blas in Mexico, where spotting a hummingbird is occasion for making a wish. Comes ready to hang

A soap dispenser, soap dish, toothbrush holder, cup, covered jar and tray make a bath set as bold and striking as it is useful. Sierra Family artisans craft each piece from richly-veined Mexican onyx in natural earthen tones. Because natural stone is used, the differing veins and tonalities are unique, and no two pieces will ever be identical. Each is a one-of-a-kind handcrafted work of art.

Formed of three blue peyote buds, a lighted candle is radiant in this exquisite nierika, or votive beadwork painting by Kupihaute. A butterfly alights on either side in his composition, which takes the shape of a flower with five wide petals.

The artisan, who writes fluently in the Huichol, Nahuatl, Spanish and English languages, talks about this work in his own words. "The nierika is a mirror that is offered to the sea together with the first corn that has been harvested, in order to renew the cycle of rains that will give life to the next crop cycle. As in most of the ancient cultures of our planet, the candle represents our trajectory between being born and returning. For this reason, even today, during the celebration of our birthday, it is customary to light and blow out as many candles as solar cycles have elapsed. The butterflies and spirals are indicating that existence is energy in permanent transformation between arising from and returning to earth."

The intricate images are formed with tiny seed beads. Kupihuate patiently places them one at a time with a needle made of abalone shell onto a huanacaxtle wood backing. Beeswax is used instead of glue.

The process is totally spontaneous, with no previous sketch or design. It is guided by the artist's unconscious to tell the stories that remain in our collective ancestral memory. He signs his work with the symbol of a butterfly on the reverse side of the nierika.

Marble makes a stunning presentation in luxurious tones of sand and beige, carved skillfully to aesthetic perfection. Sierra Family artisans craft a contemporary design that exalts the warm natural stone. Believed to encourage gentleness, tenderness and love. it bestows an extraordinary beauty on this elegant centerpiece.

Working with natural stones, the Sierra Family of Mexico makes magnificent home accents. This attractive desk set includes a cellphone or tablet holder and a pen and pencil holder, both crafted of richly mottled marble in shades of brown, russet and gold.

Says Odette Sierra of Mexico's Sierra Family, "My family loves everything natural, and for us it is a pleasure to see our clients enjoying our finished pieces." The talented artisans express this passion for nature through this decorative box, which is handcrafted of natural onyx stone. The variegated stone displays beautiful forms and inclusions.

Since ancient times, angels have been divine messengers that come to earth to comfort humans in times of trouble, bringing serenity and peace with their luminous image. Crafted by Mexico's Sierra Family, this onyx angel sculpture will also bless your home with positive energies, as its natural bright color awakes a warm sensation.

Characterized by warm brown layers, this decorative bowl from Mexico displays the wonderful hues of the earth. Choosing a large onyx stone, members of the Sierra Family diligently hand-carve this decorative bowl.

Each bowl will have unique coloring and variegation, making each a unique work of art.

A skeletal figure, she stands with her hands raised in the posture of women who die in childbirth. Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association sculpt the image of Coatlicue, "She of the serpent skirt." The Mexica earth goddess and mother of the gods, her image bears the symbol "Eight Malinalli, or "grass." Her son Huitzilopochtli, the sun god and god of war, defended her from the powers of the night.

According to the beliefs of most pre-Hispanic cultures, a smiling sun warms the earth for life to be born and renewed. Georgina Cabrera incorporates Aztec motifs such as maize, flowers, priests, and warriors in kaleidoscopic alignment, blending her own ingenuity, her family's trade, and her country's tradition. Accents of color brighten the ceramic piece, making it the essential adornment for a patio or garden.

Based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Cabrera works with a special clay sent to her by her relatives from her natal Otumba. The clay comprises of three different types of clay blended with plumilla (the flower from reeds along the local riverbanks). Once the clay has taken form, it is left to dry in the sun for up to five days before baking at approximately 450° C. Finally, Cabrera uses acrylics to hand-paint the piece, providing the adequate accents for the viewer to appreciate the impressive symbols of a long admired civilization.

A proud Cabrera states: "I love to transmit my ideas through my products for people to get to know my work."

Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association handcraft a ceramic replica of an Aztec calendar that will make an intriguing conversation piece wherever it is displayed. A replica of the Piedra del Sol, the "sun stone," found in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, the images in the calendar represent the legend of the fifth sun. According to Mesoamerican cosmology, there were four suns before our current sun, all destroyed, along with the people of the time, by the wrath of the gods. Faithful to the original, the replica is full of intricate detail and painted in warm, earthy orange, red, green, and beige. A sueded leather cord makes a loop at the top for easy hanging.