handmade sun

Open the flap to reveal the case's soft suede interior that protects lenses and frames of most sizes against scratches. Specializing in leatherwork at his Leon, Mexico workshop, artisan Ricardo Hinojosa crafts this durable case for both eyeglasses and sunglasses from genuine leather in chocolate brown.

Richly textured and colored, this fun handmade journal is ready to record your hopes and dreams. Indira Flores in Mexico creates the journal, which features an amate paper cover and a leather binding. Inside are 94 pages of unlined recycled paper.

Poised on transparent feet, blown glass goblets celebrate the tropical sun. Confetti motifs in yellow and orange radiate warmth and beauty. Javier and Efren craft the set of four from recycled glass using hand-blown techniques perfected over more than thirty years.

Because each piece is handmade, shape and size can vary slightly and tiny bubbles may appear within the glass. This exemplifies the hand-blown technique, making every piece a unique example of blown glass craftsmanship.

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.

These unique stud earrings are created by Mexico's Fabiola Quevedo using fused glass techniques. Squares of clear yellow glass hold iridescent shapes in yellow and blue. The artful pair is set on sterling silver posts.

Glowing like embers, this table runner depicts the traditional Zapotec diamond motif. Cool paths of blue lead across the fiery fields. Woven on the handloom, this design exemplifies the craftsmanship of the Ruiz Bazán Family. The artisans use virgin wool to create masterpieces with the essence of their culture.

Because each piece is individually woven on handlooms, measurements could vary +/- 2 inches (5 cm) (2 in).

Looking down on mankind, an angel perches on the top of a crescent moon. This charming original sculpture is from Mexico's Armando Ramirez, who uses recycled auto parts and scrap metal to create his unique pieces.

Alon Diller beautifully captures the magic of a pearly midnight moon with the design of this necklace. From Taxco, the necklace is centered by a shining sterling silver crescent moon surrounding a luminescent pearl in a natural cream color.

Inspired by ancient mythology, artisan Monserrat Dominguez in Mexico creates this unique pendant bracelet. She names her original creation 'Aine', after the Irish goddess of summer and the sun (the name translates to "radiance"). The bracelet features a round hand-crocheted pendant in parchment, flanked by strands of glass beads and 14k gold-plated beads.

Mexico’s Tunurima Lopez threads black, honey and white glass beads onto nylon cords to craft a pair of fabulous waterfall earrings that feature a beautiful eclipse motif. To add a touch of elegance, the artisan completes these handmade earrings with sterling silver hooks.

This attractive design comes from the Novica Handblown Collection. Handcrafted with traditional blown glass techniques, their quality and beauty are evident. The set of six is distinguished by their indented sides and emerald green rim.

Because each piece is handmade, shape and size can vary slightly and tiny bubbles may appear within the glass. This exemplifies the hand-blown technique, making every piece a unique example of blown glass craftsmanship.