The Hand-Crafted Embroiderers of Santa Cruz, Tzintzuntzan
The hand-crafted embroiderers of the
village of Santa Cruz closet to Tzintzuntzan have gained fame among the
women of their skill. They have achieved their empowerment via this
lovely skill.
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| Hand Crafted Embroiderers of Santa Cruz, Tzintzuntzan |
Some of
these women founded the cooperative Tata Vasco de Quiroga, which has
been a recognized organization since 1980.
Mrs.
Bertha Servin Barriga, a member of this cooperative, told us
some of the history of these hand-crafted embroidery. She learned to embroider
with Doña Teófila Barriga Gonzalez. Initially, they worked with
rococo and frayed embroidery. Later, she got into cross stitch and the
traditional Purépecha embroidery.
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| Purepecha Embroidery |
In the
beginning, Doña Bertha would draw designs on the ground, which would then be
transferred to her embroidery designs.
In her community,
many of the men immigrated to the United States, and the women needed to
support their families. So, several women got together to see if their
embroidery skills could be a source of income, and began to share stories,
gathering in their homes to cook and chat. And the group started to grow
into something much more.
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| Doña Bertha Servin from the Coperativa Tata Vasco de Quiroga in Santa Cruz |
It wasn’t
until 1989, when the group was seeking to expand their operation, that they
participated in the program from the House of Artisans of Michoacán. There,
it was suggested that they develop a new design that incorporated their
customs. Accordingly, the ladies’ cooperative settled on commemorating the
famous Dance of the Old Men with embroidery, which would also help to
keep alive this tradition.
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| Mexican hand-crafted embroideries from Santa Cruz, Tzintzuntzan, Michoacán |
It wasn’t long before the group’s ideas were taken seriously, and they were invited to the Artisan Fair in Pátzcuaro during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). And before you knew it, they were being asked for quilts, dresses, tablecloths, cushions, and shawls.
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| Bertha Servin Barriga and its hand-crafted Embroiders at the House of the Eleven Patios in Patzcuaro |
Doña
Bertha received her first award from DIF Michoacan (System for the Development
of the Family), which she proudly displays in her store, and illustrates the
evolution of her work over the years.
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| Hand - Crafted Embroiderers made by Bertha Servin Barriga from Santa Cruz, Tzintzuntzan |
It is
important to note that many of the finest embroidery works can take up to a
year to finish, which you must consider when discussing the price of these
works of art. Pay faire prices.
Among
other advantages of this cooperative is that they are so organized, they can
quickly deliver individual requests, offering great quality and a good price.
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| Mexican Artisan Clothing from Santa Cruz, Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan |
In our Hotel Mansión Iturbe, we support women’s work. We have incorporated much of
it into the decor of our Executive Lounge, giving it a vivacious Michoacán
flair.
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| Embroiderers of Santa Cruz, Tzintzuntzan in the decoration of our Executive Lounge at Hotel Mansion Iturbe |
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| Our Executive Lounge at Hotel Mansion Iturbe in Pátzcuaro |
When you
buy these embroideries, which are authentic works of Mexican folk art;
you are literally acquiring stories captured on canvas.
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| Hand Crafterd Embroiders made by Bertha Servin and the women of Cooperativa Tata Vasco |
In Patzcuaro, visit this cooperative’s store at the House of the Eleven Patios, on the second floor at no. 9.
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| Bertha Servin store at the House of the Eleven Patios in Pátzcuaro, Michoacan |
Buying products directly from the artisans, you will have the experience of getting to know them personally, many of whom have won awards internationally.
Doña
Bertha proudly showed us her most recent recognition granted by Western New
Mexico University, recently awarded for her involvement in the Fiesta Latina
2019.
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| Bertha Servin awards for making her Hand Crafted Embroiderers |
Don’t regret not having bought one of these Mexican hand-crafted embroideries, with the advantage that it won’t add much weigh to your luggage! You'll find products for all budgets. The quality, the color, the diversity, and the imagination that distinguishes Purépecha craftsmen (craftswomen, in this case!).
We invite you to check more post in our blog, you will find information about Patzcuaro and its surroundings that we hope will be useful for your trip to our colonial town in Mexico!
Here are some post that we suggest you:
Pottery in and around Patzcuaro
Plant - Fiber Crafts around Lake Patzcuaro
Sustainable Vacations in Patzcuaro
Hotel Mansión Iturbe
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