Your Purchase of Mezcal/Agave Motif Products Helps Oaxacans
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Oaxaca is known for producers of a diversity of high quality crafts, and mezcal. We offer the following products to support (1) its artisans and agave distillers, (2) the education of bright young indigenous women, and (3) community advancement.
This is not a typical merchandising page. On the contrary, when you purchase any of these products, in the case of wood carvings, fabric items (i.e. handmade wool rugs and tapestries, cotton table runners and placemats), clay / ceramic pieces and/or mezcal, 100% of the sale price goes to the artisan. And when you buy other items shown below such as t-shirts, tortilla warmers and baseball caps, 20% goes to charities such as the scholarship program at Fondo Guadalupe Musalem (www.fondoguadalupemusalem.org) and SACRED (Saving Agave for Culture, Recreation, Education and Development; www.sacred.mx).
Our philosophy is reflected in how we run our Mezcal Educational Excursions. That is, our objective is to teach about mezcal, pulque and agave, as well as the culture of rural Zapoteco folk, while at the same time supporting the efforts of skilled tradespeople. We never accept commission, and always give back to the community.
And so when COVID-19 hit in the first quarter of 2020, and reduced the income of Oaxacan artisans to virtually nothing, dramatically adversely impacted the income of distillers and their families, and impeded the ability of Oaxacan women to get ahead through advancement in education, we knew we had to do something more. Hence, this project.
We have carefully selected the artisans (and distillers) with whom we now work based on (1) quality of their products, (2) their personalities in terms of graciously accepting what we are trying to do for them and how they welcome our clients into their homes, workshops and palenques (small, family owned and operated distilleries), and (3) value. We believe in ethical tourism, mezcal and otherwise.
Our offerings are always changing as we and our friends/ colleagues arrive at new ideas for products to offer, and because some items once sold out are never replaced. In addition, in the case of certain artisanry and mezcal expressions, months can elapse before comparable products can once again be offered. Climate, availability of raw material and workload at times impact what we can make available for sale. Accordingly, if you like it, consider buying it right away, or place your order. We can hold pending your shipping prefences being expressed to us, or next planned visit to Oaxaca, as explained below.
Here are some of the craft items either currently available for purchase, or for ordering either as shown or based on a request to be customized (i.e. size, color, form, personalized with a name or logo carved/woven). Simply click on the artisan's name for an article about him/her and to learn something about historical background (and check back with us every month or two because we hope to upload new products from time to time, possibly from additional artisans):
Woodcarver Efraín Fuentes Santiago, San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca
This is not a typical merchandising page. On the contrary, when you purchase any of these products, in the case of wood carvings, fabric items (i.e. handmade wool rugs and tapestries, cotton table runners and placemats), clay / ceramic pieces and/or mezcal, 100% of the sale price goes to the artisan. And when you buy other items shown below such as t-shirts, tortilla warmers and baseball caps, 20% goes to charities such as the scholarship program at Fondo Guadalupe Musalem (www.fondoguadalupemusalem.org) and SACRED (Saving Agave for Culture, Recreation, Education and Development; www.sacred.mx).
Our philosophy is reflected in how we run our Mezcal Educational Excursions. That is, our objective is to teach about mezcal, pulque and agave, as well as the culture of rural Zapoteco folk, while at the same time supporting the efforts of skilled tradespeople. We never accept commission, and always give back to the community.
And so when COVID-19 hit in the first quarter of 2020, and reduced the income of Oaxacan artisans to virtually nothing, dramatically adversely impacted the income of distillers and their families, and impeded the ability of Oaxacan women to get ahead through advancement in education, we knew we had to do something more. Hence, this project.
We have carefully selected the artisans (and distillers) with whom we now work based on (1) quality of their products, (2) their personalities in terms of graciously accepting what we are trying to do for them and how they welcome our clients into their homes, workshops and palenques (small, family owned and operated distilleries), and (3) value. We believe in ethical tourism, mezcal and otherwise.
Our offerings are always changing as we and our friends/ colleagues arrive at new ideas for products to offer, and because some items once sold out are never replaced. In addition, in the case of certain artisanry and mezcal expressions, months can elapse before comparable products can once again be offered. Climate, availability of raw material and workload at times impact what we can make available for sale. Accordingly, if you like it, consider buying it right away, or place your order. We can hold pending your shipping prefences being expressed to us, or next planned visit to Oaxaca, as explained below.
Here are some of the craft items either currently available for purchase, or for ordering either as shown or based on a request to be customized (i.e. size, color, form, personalized with a name or logo carved/woven). Simply click on the artisan's name for an article about him/her and to learn something about historical background (and check back with us every month or two because we hope to upload new products from time to time, possibly from additional artisans):
Woodcarver Efraín Fuentes Santiago, San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca
Single, solid piece of walnut illustrating three typical stages in mezcal production, the last being clay pot distillation. Measures about 35.5 X 10 X 1 inches, and sells for $210 USD. However, Efraín is currently working on a project, producing 40 pieces for a Day of the Dead exhibition in a museum in nearby San Bartolo Coyotepec, and so any orders may be delayed until November. TBA
Efraín works in both walnut and cedar, and for the asking carves single scenes such as this large piece illustrating a jimador cutting an agave out of the field. Even the sandals are carefully detailed. This exquisite work of art sold for $160 USD.
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This hardwood box features a front panel carved from a single piece of wood. It slides up to reveal a typical bottle of 750 ml or 1 liter mezcal. But size can be customized. The perfect gift for all occasions. Note the handle is fashioned from ixtle, the fiber from an agave penca (leaf). Price is $90 USD. |
This is an example of the custom work Efraín can do. Denyse, a Canadian graphic designer, had seen the mezcal boxes featured above, online. She asked he he could produce a special box for her, of the dimensions she had in mind, to store some of her art supplies. She indicated that she loves cacti. Efraín got to work, used his artistic creativity, and produced this. The uncanny thing is that as it turns out Denyse has a thing for hummingbirds!
Perfect for a home bar, restaurant or mezcalería. And if the name of the business is for example TOBALÁ, Efraín can customize the agave species. But as is, for only $22 USD it's hard to go wrong with this unique napkin holder.
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Each plaque in this series of for different species of agave is carved from a single piece of cedar. The common name is at the top, and the botanical name, smaller, is at the bottom. And of course Efraín can carve an arroqueño, jabalí, and pretty well anything else. Just provide a photo, and voilá. For this series, the smaller plaques were about 13 X 10.5 inches, and the karwinskii was 19.5 X 10.5. Cost for the set of four was $285 USD, but singles can be purchased for $90 USD each.
Before following up with tapestries and pottery, here are a number of functional items which we have had made for us. Given that each is a relatively small ticket item, while of course some can be economically shipped via the post office, most would complement the purchase of tapestries, pottery and/or wood carvings, resulting in only a nominal increase in shipping cost, if at all. .
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T-Shirts are 100% cotton, and sized from S to XL, at $13 USD each, either the green or the white style, your choice. For larger sized mezcal aficionados, XXL and XXXL are sometimes available at a nominally higher price. When buying, it's recommended that you err on the side of caution, meaning consider selecting one size larger, and if it turns out to be too big, simply put it in the dryer after the first wash. It's worked for us.
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Our baseball caps are designed for wearing with or without a facemask. The plastic shield can be lifted up, or completely removed, depending on where we are with COVID-19. The cap is extremely sturdy, agave as well as back side website stitched rather than printed, and as pictured there are small reinforced holes on top for utmost breathability. Price is $22 USD.
This lined and stitched tortilla warmer measures about 9 X 10 inches, and is perfect for tortillas about 8 inches in diameter. Price is only $5 USD. Now this alone would be easy and cheap to mail (as would the T-Shirts, relatively speaking).
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Select from denim (100% cotton), or oxford cloth in white, black or powder blue (75/25 cotton/poly blend, the usual sizes, again stitched design. Button down collar. $30 USD each.
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100% cotton shirt featuring different species of agave. On the left is short sleeve, guayabera or Hawaiian style, and on the right long sleeve button down with button on the sleeve so it can be rolled up into short sleeve. Including mailing, short sleeve is $28 USD and long sleeve is $40 USD, The photos are mock-ups from the printer, but actual photos are available. Long sleeve comes in pale beige or green.
This is one of Rocio's first stabs at weaving what we wanted, a stylized agave with quiote shooting up, and flowering. Teotitlán is noted for its wool rugs with traditional Zapotec designs, but Rocio is happy to think outside of the box and is always anxious for us to provide her with new ideas. This exquisite tapestry measures roughly 2 X 3 feet. She recently completed an order for a Colorado mezcalería / restaurant, with its name and city woven into the fabric towards the bottom. Price for this piece was $90 USD.
And when management of King Bee Lounge in Austin Texas requested a tapestry featuring its logo, Rocio complied in spades,
using exclusively natural dyes. Note the classic red cochinilla (cochineal). .
using exclusively natural dyes. Note the classic red cochinilla (cochineal). .
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Here are a couple of Rocio's smaller items with agave motif. On the left are suede and wool mezcal bottle holders with leather closures. On the right are coasters, available in different colors and priced at $2.50 USD apiece. The middle photo includes cotton placemats noted below by a different artist.
And here's Rocio's classic representation of a jimador cutting agave.
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Rocio´s in-laws, Don Porfirio and Doña Gloria, still work at doing what they love the most, their passion. On the left is a traditional tapete woven by Porfirio, and on the right is an example of what Gloria absolutely loves weaving, panoramas of every sort. |
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Pictured are two tapestries, one with white and the other with black background, with agaves at top and bottom, the main images being the palenquero working his horse crushing the sweet baked agave with the aid of the tahona (wheel). The quality is so exquisite, that for these ones it's difficult to discern that it's all woven by hand.
María Aragón Sánchez and Gloria Cruz Sánchez, Talented Potters from San Marcos
Tapazola, Oaxaca's Red Clay (Barro Rojo) Village:
Imagine the patience, and the skill required to form this bottle without the use of a wheel, 100% by hand. This specimen
measures about 12 inches tall, and has a face formed into the other side. Price is $15 USD.
measures about 12 inches tall, and has a face formed into the other side. Price is $15 USD.
Talent surely runs in the family. The design of these little copitas, perhaps the perfect size for drinking an agave distillate (about 2 X 1 inches), was invented by María's daughter when she was eight years old. The sale of these cups provides a steady source of income for the family, yet they sell for only $1.75 USD each.
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The fine, sleek form with hand burnishing, above, is contrasted here with the much more rustic. On the left are fanciful, playful chango mezcaleros each about 10 inches tall, the set selling for $35 USD. On the right is Juan, somewhat inebriated as he struggles to hang onto his bottle. He measures roughly 20 X 11 X 13 inches, priced at $55 USD
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Adapting Pre-Hispanic to
Contemporary On the right is a page from an archaeology magazine gifted to María and Gloria several years ago. On the left is how they adapted to create a pitcher with agave motif. Price is $35 USD. |
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So far only four of these two foot tall planters have been created. The first sold to internationally renowned Oaxacan-American singer Lila Downs, and the next two were grabbed up quickly by each of Alvin and Randall. Really, likely Lila does not use it as a planter, and certainly the Mezcal Educational Excursions associates would not dare any such desecration. While monkeys have traditionally been associated with drunkenness, and thus their past popularity in promoting high alcohol content mezcal with "chango mezcalero," these babies shall remain sober, gracing our homes. One remains for sale at $90 USD.
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Exquisite tall, majestic vase, first of its kind, 21" in height, with the mouth 8.5" in diameter. An agave with flowering stalk is the main feature, but decorated all around with small agaves as pictured. $90 USD.
Day of the Dead mezcal drinking cups (copitas or jicaritas), each individually hand-made. Only $1.75 USD each, but this first batch made by comadre María, at my request, is only 20 pieces. Her orders are currently backed up with assorted 800 pieces, including the last three of six large chango (monkey) planters for a couple of good old friends down here. So get your order in now (March, 2021). No varnish, no laqueur, no paint, just fire, clay, water; each individually hand-burnished.
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The fine artistry in cotton, of Crispina Antonio M., from Santo Tomás Jalieza, table runners at different lengths, colors, etc., as well as placemats, all with agave motif, length typcially between 6'8" and ten feet in length, 12 - 13 inches wide, priced between $30 and $50 USD (note the hummingbirds). A set of eight placemats costs $40 USD:
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Knifemaking, using the 16th century hand-forging Toledo Spain method, by Apolinar Aguilar. The article provides an overview, including his work on the swords for Conan the Barberian series. He recently had surgery for cancer, and is working very little, but as a favor to us did the work on these three fine pieces. Each is made from recycled metal, with hardwood handle. Our photography skills are poor, but the blades are shiny, areas for the hand engraving muted. Quality cannot be appreciated in the photos, for certain, but you get the idea. Perhaps not for shipping, but easily packed in a suitcase. For the past two decades (likely longer) Alvin has had no issues crossing US or Canada customs because they are artistic in nature (though of course can be sharpened more, and used. Each comes with the artist's business card so as to prove their non-utilitarian purely decorative purpose.
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Pictured above is a knife with 13" blade. One sideshows the jimador cutting agave, of course barking dog, well, house and agave again. The other side has a panoramic scene with eagles, dog, desert plants, etc. Great on either a plexiglass stand, or hanging on a wall with two simple brackets. Price is $75 USD.
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These three photos of the smallest knife. With 11" blade, nice on a stand. One side at the bottom reads OAXACA, and on the other, MEZCAL. Agave with flowering quiote. $50 USD.
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Pictured above, with 17.5" blade, it's more of a machete. One side has the well-known saying Para todo mal Mezcal, para todo bien tambien. The other has a jimador cutting agave, and a number of other magueyes in the field. $85 USD.
Concepción Águilar is one of the world renowned four Águilar sisters of Ocotlán, whose clay folk art is featured in virtually all coffee table books on Mexican ceramics. Of course she's featured in Mexican Folk Art from Oaxacan Artist Families. Below is custom work she did for you, our mezcal aficionado friends, as described.
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Several years ago I asked Doña Concepción to make me a clay figure of the goddess Mayahuel, giving her complete artistic license. The piece has graced our home ever since. I recently asked her to craft three more, a bit smaller so easier to transport and more economical. Mayahuel is the goddess of agave, and fertility as well. She is typically pictured with large breasts and/or rabbits at her feet, legend has it 400 rabbits (and hence that brand of mezcal). In these pieces she has the ample breasts and between one and four rabbits, and is holding a traditional drinking vessel, a jícara, with either pulque or mezcal in it. Dimensions in inches are height 11, width 7 and depth 5. Your choice at $70 USD.
Tomás Ricardo Santiago Pacheco, just like his father, is a skilled artisan working with hoja de lata, or hammered metal. It's a longstanding Oaxacan tradition. We've asked him to make a few agave motif products for us, and here they are. They're light, easy to pack, and the napkin rings and xmas tree ornaments fit easily in the two boxes pictured.
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This box is decorated with agave on all four sides and the top. It measures about 12.5 X 4 X 4 inches, and fits most 750 ml or liter bottles of mezcal, tequila, or as pictured rum. Great gift idea, at only $12 USD.
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"Don't get hung up about Easter," Leon Russell once said to Joe Cocker. But he never said anything about Christmas. And so we have these agave xmas tree decorations, with a little hole in the middle at the top for hanging on the tree. And, agave napkin rinks. These pieces fit great inside the mezcal bottle box above, and/or in the mezcal drinking glass box pictured below. So you can economize on shipping cost. Each agave tree decoration and napkin ring costs only $1.50 USD, minimum order of eight pieces mix and match.
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This box easily holds 6 - 8 jicaras or other shaped mezcal drinking vessels. Pictured here it has eight clay cups and four rolled wool coasters. Again, a neat gift item, but great for storing your own cups, and serving to guests. Priced at $12 USD.
In addition to wool rugs, the Oaxacan town of Teotitlán del Valle has a longstanding tradition of producing hand-made wax candles, for weddings, funerals, 15 años, Muertos, and all other manner of rite of passage, as well as simple for decoration. We selected someone who has previously sold us really neat wax figures, to make agave candles. Now whether you would ever want to burn them is another consideration.
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Each maguey above is about 4 - 5 inches in diameter, and costs $20 USD.
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Each of these two large agaves is about 8 inches in diameter. One has three flowers and two birds on the quiote, and the other six flowers. Price per item is $30 USD.
PAPEL PICADO: Another longstanding Mexican tradition is producing strings of personalized tissue paper, or more recently sheets of plastic which are more durable. A woman has been making these for Alvin for the past few years, including for Alvin's goddaughter's medical school graduation, and more recently for his daughter's wedding. Pictured here are samples of different species of agave, with maguey names printed, in different different colors. Tobasiche should appeal differently, but you get the idea. They can be personalized with your own name or the name of your bar or mezcaleria. Each string is about six meters and has about 10 images. Inquire about pricing, since there is a multitude of options. If you want only one species, a specific color or colors, etc., of course that's fine as well. Shipping via the post office is extremely reasonable, though we do recommend plastic. See four images below:
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Email Alvin Starkman with inquires regarding the purchase of any of the foregoing ([email protected]).
MEZCAL
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Three of the unheralded grand masters of Oaxacan destillados de agave: Felix Ángeles, Reyna Sánchez and Fortunato Hernández.
We work with more than a dozen different palenqueros, some of whom distill in clay, while others in copper. If you reside in Mexico, inquire of Alvin Starkman ([email protected]). If you reside out of the country inquire of Randall Stockton ([email protected]) since he works with the Mezcal Futures Project. In either case, stipulate clay v. copper, species, price range, and if you have a preferred region and/or distiller so we can source for you as best possible.
HOW WE GET YOUR CRAFT PURCHASES TO YOU:
The easiest and most efficient way to receive your purchases is if you or your business has a FEDEX, UPS or DHL account. After making the purchase, simply provide us with your account number, and of course name, address and cel number, and we’ll pack and ship. These private shippers typically take only a week or so in getting your product to your doorstep.
If you do not have a relationship with a shipping company, after purchasing you can nevertheless ask us to ship via FEDEX. We would obtain a quote and you would pay us.
If you prefer using the more economical Mexican post office, you would let us know after purchasing, and we would get a quote. You would also receive a tracking number; but note that using this means often takes several weeks.
Finally, if you anticípate being in Oaxaca within the next 12 months, we can hold onto purchases until you arrive, and then arrange for pickup/delivery while you are in the city.
Buying now helps Oaxaca and Oaxacans when the need is so great.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
You can always pay us via paypal, with an additional 5.5% to cover our fees and conversion costs in accessing funds to pay the artisans and distillers. However, if you reside in Mexico you can make a net direct deposit into a Banamex account, and if you reside in Canada you can do an e-transfer (also net). Depending on circumstances we would convert to the appropriate currency using the online rate of exchange.
As of July 28, 2020, the Mezcal Tasting Journal is available on Amazon, with all profits benefiting worthy Oaxacan charitable causes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DDJJ2M6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860&linkCode=sl1&tag=lisapietsch0f-20&linkId=2cbc1099116ac35487c83ea4eada4044&language=en_US
On behalf of Oaxaca, thank you for your patronage. Alvin & Randall
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
You can always pay us via paypal, with an additional 5.5% to cover our fees and conversion costs in accessing funds to pay the artisans and distillers. However, if you reside in Mexico you can make a net direct deposit into a Banamex account, and if you reside in Canada you can do an e-transfer (also net). Depending on circumstances we would convert to the appropriate currency using the online rate of exchange.
As of July 28, 2020, the Mezcal Tasting Journal is available on Amazon, with all profits benefiting worthy Oaxacan charitable causes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DDJJ2M6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860&linkCode=sl1&tag=lisapietsch0f-20&linkId=2cbc1099116ac35487c83ea4eada4044&language=en_US
On behalf of Oaxaca, thank you for your patronage. Alvin & Randall
