Mexican memories: Erika is back!

I know Alina for years but our friendship got stronger during the first year of lockdown, when we found ourselves in each other’s closest circle with whom we still met face to face. We used to drink lots of coffee while wrapped into a blanket on her balcony and watching the morning lights brightening the day, used to talk about the value we want to create through the businesses that we are nurturing. She is a trainer and also makes outfits for sports – for example my yoga pants on this picture.

Isn’t it wonderful how well it fits the earrings that I made?

Alina is a great example of a strong woman, embracing the colours and life she likes, but also of a person who makes you feel that together a group can achieve a lot more than everyone on their own – the same way as it works in our Beadingschool Club.

But first, I would like to tell you about the incredible creativity that we witnessed everywhere where we went in Mexico!!! No matter if the material was paint, thread, paper, beads or mezcal – Mexican artists left a deep impression on me, and I’m a 100% sure, that Beadingschool Academy Themes will follow in the future inspired by Mexico and its art, history, and natural beauties.

We visited a village called Zinacantan where several collectives of women – master weavers are working. Their stores provide them an income of their own, which is a big step from a traditional, patriarchal system where the man is the only one supporting the family financially, and women don’t have a choice if they would like to dedicate themselves solely to their family or also work outside of their homes.

Weaving and embroidery traditionally is the domain of women, but there is a fashion designer living in San Cristobal (the town which became our home away from home) who despite all the difficulties that he had to overcome is now a valued member of the weaving community.  Thanks to him traditional motifs from Mexico appeared during the Paris Fashion Week and earned respect for this art form.

The area where Alina lives is home to the Huichol tribe that is well-known for its beadwork. On one hand they decorate items, for example, skulls with beads, but they also make jewellery. They have a deep love for nature, and they bead lots of different flowers with a special stitch. Mostly it’s beadweaving, but I also have a piece that is combined with embroidery.

We saw beadwork in other parts of Mexico, too, but mostly everything is originating in Huichol traditions, even if the art traveled hundreds of kilometers. I asked what kind of beads they are using and where do they buy them, and a lady showed me a big bag of different colours of Preciosa glass seed beads. Later I found the shop where she got them, also offering beautiful coloured gemstones. Of course I had to select some nice ones which I brought back to you. I divided them today into little bags, and I even added some extra gifts: they will land on the bead mats of some lucky beaders who joined me for previous week’s #CoffeeTimeWithErika.