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Nadine (Topanien Gift's Owner) Peru Trip
Fair Trade in South Africa
Artist in Peru
Mexican Jewelry Business
Alebrijes, Oaxaca
Nadine in Mexico
Wall Hangings, Kashmir, India
Posada in Huajuapan
New York City
Ghana
Artisans of Mexico
San Bartolo
Cambodia
Exchange Student in Ecuador
Rajasthan, India
HaitiSan Bartolo Coyotepec
San Bartolo Coyotepec - Mexican Black Pottery
Candelaria of San Bartolo Coyotepec is a natural potter and business owner. She maintains her own studio and store on a main street in this tiny but famous town in Oaxaca, Mexico. She sells the Mexican Black Pottery made by herself, her family and close friends. "My daughters and I met her mother and her while exploring San Bartolo and seeking a supplier of Black Pottery for Topanien Gifts of Portland, Oregon, " says Topanien Gifts owner Nadine.
Candelaria was excited to have a USA outlet for her art. She wished to demonstrate her craft and immediately pulled out knives and odd implements such as bottle cap lids used in the carving of the Black Pottery Luminarias.
click & go to our 'Mexican Black Pottery' page for info & buy buttons
Candelaria of San Bartolo Coyotepec is a natural potter and business owner. She maintains her own studio and store on a main street in this tiny but famous town in Oaxaca, Mexico. She sells the Mexican Black Pottery made by herself, her family and close friends. "My daughters and I met her mother and her while exploring San Bartolo and seeking a supplier of Black Pottery for Topanien Gifts of Portland, Oregon, " says Topanien Gifts owner Nadine.
Candelaria was excited to have a USA outlet for her art. She wished to demonstrate her craft and immediately pulled out knives and odd implements such as bottle cap lids used in the carving of the Black Pottery Luminarias.
click & go to our 'Mexican Black Pottery' page for info & buy buttons
Nadine, owner of Topanien Gifts, on a typical street in San Bartolo Coyotepec >
Nadine established Topanien Global Gifts over twenty years ago and has slowly added more and more stops on her buying trips to Mexico. "Years ago we carried the Mexican Black Pottery from the Dona Rosa factory but we did not meet the artisans who made the peices. Now we are working directly with Candelaria and her family. We visit and are introduced to a daughter and her children even as we watch Cadelaria at her craft and make our selections. Dona Rosa is the master but it's a joy to work with the artists."
Nadine established Topanien Global Gifts over twenty years ago and has slowly added more and more stops on her buying trips to Mexico. "Years ago we carried the Mexican Black Pottery from the Dona Rosa factory but we did not meet the artisans who made the peices. Now we are working directly with Candelaria and her family. We visit and are introduced to a daughter and her children even as we watch Cadelaria at her craft and make our selections. Dona Rosa is the master but it's a joy to work with the artists."
Mexican Black Pottery Luminarias are all about the shadows they cast when over a tealight.
For over 2000 years the Zopotec community of San Bartolo has been making pottery. Little has changed in the process of creating the pottery but kilns are now preferred over underground pits and most important of all - celebrated artist and potter, Dona Rosa, made the change which gives the pieces their signature 'black' sheen. Dona Rosa added a polishing step to the nearly-dry clay before firing turning the gray color to a shiny black and establishing the Mexican Black Pottery as a classic piece appreciated world wide.
Mexican Black Pottery Luminarias >
Enjoy the shadows cast by the intricately carved Black Pottery Luminarias. Topanien Gifts offers the Luminarias, incense holders, figurines, whistles, skulls and bracelets. Many are available on line at Mexican Black Pottery.
Black Pottery artist Candelaria
Typical building in San Bartolo with store & living area combined.