Published on Feb, 2024
Lucas Guzman
52 951 111 0158
Lucas gave us an absolutely amazing tour!! He was fun, knowledgable, polite, helpful and proffesional. The car was very clean and new. We saw so much!! First stop was black Pottery. We saw a master Potter working on his huge vessels. We saw the kiln and watched him and his son work. The son makes modern wall tiles that are in homes, hotels and installations around the globe! We had a bite in the small local restaurant next door. Truly authentic experience. We had a chance to purchase some Black pottery and we were so grateful for the opportunity. Next we went to meet a woman who does embroidery. She learnt from her mother , and grandmother and has taught her daughter as well.She was in her seventies and continues to work on magnificent pieces. It was mind blowing to watch her sketch and sew her own designs onto fabric, clothing, and textiles. It can take hundreds of hours for her to complete the work. It is authentic and beginning to end all done by hand. She lives and sells from her small perfect store in a small town on the outskirts of Oaxaca. We were grateful to Lucas for finding this spot to share with us.
We saw next a weaver and his family at their organic home/space. They buy the wool , card it, clean it, spin it, then,…. Create their own dye from nature. Using flowers, fruit and skin, turmeric, cactus bugs, bark, indigo etc…. The wool is boiled and dipped in the natural colors to create a variety of shades for weaving. He makes magnificent carpets on the seven foot looms in his studio. He was taught by his father, and he teaches his children too…. This was amazing!!
We also went to a home to learn about blackstrap weaving. Three sisters who learned the skill from their mother and grandmother. They do all the patterning in their heads. They work tirelessly and produce amazing textiles. The back-strap weaving technique is unique. These women are masters and have won many awards , their photos and prizes are displayed in the yard.
This day was a highlight of our trip. Lucas took us to see people and things we could not have found on our own. It was incredible. We learned so much and had never seen this quality of textile design. We are so grateful. We will recommend Lucas and the textile tour to everyone!! Soo lucky to have found this guide in Oaxaca. We will be back!!!