elegant decor

A myriad shades of blue conjure a cool and soothing universe in this elegant nierika, or votive beadwork painting by Kupihaute. Scorpions scuttle purposefully around the center of the composition, which takes the shape of a flower with five wide petals.

The artist, who writes fluently in the Huichol, Nahuatl and English languages, talks about this work in his own words. "From the focal center of the nierika, the precious flower arises in spiral movement as the culminating expression of the deepest roots. The blossom is keeping in its entrails the seed that will disseminate the power of creative energy. This is symbolized by the scorpions that, in their wonderful body symmetry, show the essence of the power itself, since any imbalance in its mating dance, any missing the target, will cause its own poisoning and thus its own death. Therefore the symbol of cosmos, of order is shown in their mouths and the tails."

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.

Accompanied by lovely birds, renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is surrounded by purple flowers against a blue backdrop. This stunning and cultural piece of ceramic wall art is created by Maria Isabel Cruz, who works using the dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture made of magnesium oxide and fat are applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath. A length of nylon cord on the back provides for easy hanging.

Mexican artisan Angel Ceron creates his interpretation of Catrina, the Grand Dame of Death that is a symbol prevalent in the Day of the Dead celebrations that honor ancestors and influential people that have passed from this world. This Catrina wears an elegant harvest gold evening dress and a wide-brimmed hat and carries a bouquet of three blue and yellow flowers. Two more blooms grace the bottom of her gown. Her skeletal figure is black with white highlights that accentuate the texture of the ceramic figurine.

Marina Lozano of Mexico works in papier mache to create this delightful catrina statuette. The skeletal sculpture is elegantly attired, with flowers in her hair and one in her hand. The artisan designs the figurine after the original "La Calavera Catrina", a zinc etching created by the artist José Guadalupe Posada in Mexico around 1910. Posada created the character, a female skeleton with an elegant hat, as a satirical portrait of Mexican natives who aspired to European style and denied their own heritage. The catrina has since become an emblem of Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration and a popular folk art subject.

Charming and elegant, a delightful Maria doll wearing a red dress and bows in her hair decorates this ceramic plaque from Mexico. Maria Isabel Cruz creates the piece, crafted using the dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture made of magnesium oxide and fat are applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath.

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.

Artisan Luis Morales of Mexico crafts a magnificent ceramic Catrina to grace your mantel or shelf. Formed by hand from clay, her ensemble is carefully painted in red, silver, gold and blue hues. The elegant figure is based on a satirical etching created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada around 1910-1913. With his etching, Posada poked fun at those Mexican natives who tried to emulate the fashion and habits of the European aristocracy. Today, la Catrina has become the instantly recognizable icon of Día de los Muertos (Mexico's Day of the Dead).

Mexican artisan Sergio Ponce merges the festive Hacienda style with India's classic elegance, creating a sublime addition to your spaces. Crafted from ceramic, this hanging planter features a hand-painted finish in vibrant hues and is equipped with steel chains for a secure setting. In addition, the accessory allows for drainage.

Turned out in her Sunday finest including picture hat and parasol, this catrina from Luis Morales will add color and culture to any place she is displayed. Formed by hand from clay, her ostentatious ensemble is carefully painted in aqua, blue, purple and silver hues. The elegant figure is based on a satirical etching created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada around 1910-1913. With his etching, Posada poked fun at those Mexican natives who tried to emulate the fashion and habits of the European aristocracy. Today, la Catrina has become the instantly recognizable icon of Día de los Muertos (Mexico's Day of the Dead).

Working in ceramic, Eleazar Leal crafts a beautiful cross for wall display. The trefoil on each end of the Botonee cross represents the three persons of the Christian Trinity — God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Its origins come from European heraldry. Painted by hand, this elegant cross depicts images from a small town in the Mexican sierra where a church can always be found on the town square.

The cover of this small journal is a print from the original artwork of artist Alejandra Aceves in Mexico. In this marvelous artwork, she depicts "La Catrina", clutching a heart in her skeletal arms under a moonlit sky. The original "La Calavera Catrina" was a zinc etching created by the artist José Guadalupe Posada in Mexico around 1910. Posada created the character, a female skeleton with an elegant hat, as a satirical portrait of Mexican natives who aspired to European style and denied their own heritage. The catrina has since become an emblem of Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration and a popular folk art subject. The appealing artwork graces a spiral-bound notebook of unlined paper. Use it to record the daily joys and special moments in your life.

Alejandra Aceves invites you to take part in her art, presenting this set of coloring cards created especially for adults wishing to relax or express themselves creatively. "Feeling proud of my Mexican roots, I designed these sheets to be colored and shared." Each sheet in this set of ten features an original Day of the Dead drawing by Alejandra in black and white for you to fill in with your very own color scheme. Coloring a catrina with elegant Day of the Dead face paint or celebrating the love shared between two catrines, you will find plenty of ways to express your artistic side. Arriving in a charming, reusable box, this coloring set set supports Mexican artistry in fun and exciting ways.

Showing off her finery, Catrina is on display in this unique folk art wall accent from Rocio Pindter in Mexico. The small artwork is crafted from tin with a glass pane, and hand painted with a beautiful Catrina wearing a bodacious feathered hat. The blue metal frame is lavishly decorated with colorful flowers, fish and birds.

The original "La Calavera Catrina" was a zinc etching created by the artist José Guadalupe Posada in Mexico around 1910. Posada created the character, a female skeleton with an elegant hat, as a satirical portrait of Mexican natives who aspired to European style and denied their own heritage. The catrina has since become an emblem of Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration and a popular folk art subject.