Our textiles are a very important part of our online collection, as they represent one of the oldest artisan forms in Mexico. Featuring hand-woven pillows, shawls, table runners and throws, each piece has been created using traditional weaving techniques by women in the states of Chiapas and Hidalgo.

In Chiapas our weavers work in a cooperative format along with designers from Mexico City and France. Together the artisans and the designers have created contemporary pieces that pay homage to traditional weaving techniques, patterns and symbols.

Weavers play an important role in mayan communities. Not only do they create the clothing for their families, but the colors, patterns and symbols also play a role in identifying their heritage, distinguishing between communities, and acting as symbols of allegiance to certain regions. Furthermore, each woven piece is meant to last for years and withstand warm humid climates contrasted by cold wet days. The durability of this clothing is something that only hands can create and speaks well for the quality and durability of the textiles in our collection.

The creation of these contemporary textiles and your purchase are fundamental to maintaining a weaving tradition in communities around Chiapas. As cheap products from foreign sources begin to infiltrate markets and stores around Mexico, many weavers are finding themselves out of jobs or without demand for their goods. Our work with the cooperative is to open new markets for them that appreciate the tradition, heritage, quality and style of these textiles - ensuring a sustainable market and continued support for the weaving tradition.

Our Bolitos Pillows match beautifully with our Panthelos Pillow collection.

The beautiful woven detail on the weavers clothing is directly translated into the pillows, shawls and table runners in our collection.

NAAB

Naab means clay in Mixe dialect, a Nahuatl dialect from the Oaxaca region. This beautiful contemporary jewelry incorporates traditional Mayan ceramics with touches of silver . These beautiful statement pieces are made by Maria Jose Rion, a sculpture artist from Mexico City. 

Maria Jose Rion ~ Maria was born and raised in Mexico City. After having studied sculpture in Barcelona, New York and Vancouver, Maria discovered the age-old technique that the Mayan's used to make ceramics. From the natural dyes to the burnishing of the clay with a quartz stone, Maria's work is contemporary in style, but traditional in technique. http://marizaco.com/jewelry.html

"Earth; water, clay. Fire; wind, beautiful, natural and subtle jewelry."

Otomi

The following vibrant fabrics are from central Mexico, specifically the states of Puebla and Hidalgo. This art form comes from the Otomi Indians and reflect the beauty of the Mexican landscape. Hand embroidered these pieces can take anywhere from hours to months to create, depending on the size. Our online collection includes bed-spreads, pillows, table runners and or/or wall hangings (as many of these pieces are far too beautiful to serve only as a table runner). 

Telar de Cintura

Telar de Cintura (to weave from the waist) is a form of weaving that requires the artist to wrap one end of the loom around his or her waist. The weaver then weaves a long narrow or wide (depending on the waist size of the person) stretch of fabric, which is later embroidered with other fabrics, of similar design, to create table cloths, shawls, pillows or bed coverings.

Below is an example of telar de cintura which is available in a variety of forms on our website.

http://marizaco.com/textiles.html

All products come from the state of Chiapas, Mexico, are 100% cotton, and because of the quality of weaving can be washed and used for years with little sign of wear.