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Shops and Workshops - a new trend In case it were not enough to be able to admire the varied selection of handcrafts available in our town, the latest trend in Vallarta is either to feature an exact reproduction of an artisan's workplace or open to shoppers the place where the items sold in their showrooms are actually made. In both cases, you will witness all the steps towards the production of that particular object you want to take home (talk about a conversational piece!) •  Galería Pirámide There are, for example, at least two places where you may watch a Huichol Indian covering a wooden figure in multicolored beads (chaquira). In Galería Pirámide, Luis Castro Hernández doesn't mind the presence of people who crowd around his small table covered with strings of the tiny glass beads brought from the Czech Republic. Next to him, in a display case, the history of Huichol art unfolds through ceremonial bowls and other original pieces and reproductions, that show the first uses of the chaquira beads introduced in the area by the Franciscan fathers during the years of the evangelization. Buying one of these objects becomes a more wholesome experience when we see how it is actually made and when we get to meet the craftsman. •  Colección Huichol In Colección Huichol, on the malecón, Ernesto Hernández from San Andrés Cohaniata fills pin after pin with colored chaquira that he then places on the waxed surface of a wooden figure with astounding precision. His personal favorite piece is the jaguar of which there are several in the store: some stretching, some walking carrying a turtle on their backs and all showing their powerful canines. •  Casa Adela Casa Adela boasts four different workshops inside the beautifully restored, typical Vallartan building it occupies on Juárez Street. In a faithful reproduction of a coppersmith shop, with its furnace and anvil, Brisio Pureco Farfán and his sons turn flat round pieces of metal about 1.5 cm thick into vases, pitchers, pans and other artistic objects. Brisio comes from the Mexican copper capital, Santa Clara del Cobre in Michoacan, where in 1994 he won 2nd place in the National Copper Fair. His skill is manifest in the wide array of copper pieces created by the strikes of his hammer and the help of fire where some are left with a natural finish, some are highly polished or display a green patina while others are decorated with silver or gold leaf and oil paints. Brisio tells us that making a piece may take from four or five days to three weeks depending, of course on its size and design. Blown glass. Anastasio Luévanos started working in 1950 in the first glass manufacturing plant established in Guadalajara under the name of La Única (the only one). Since then his thing is blowing molten glass into practical or decorative shapes, a tradition that originated in his hometown, the capital of Jalisco. Day after day, inside his workshop, you may see Anastasio at work as he heats up the glass in his brick oven to create, among other items, the Murano-style vases and plates that were so popular in the fifties and are now experiencing a revival thanks to artisans like him. Pottery. Señor Pedro Hernández from Guanajuato is no amateur regarding pottery making. After studying Arts in Bellas Artes (the Fine Arts Institute in Mexico City) he has been teaching the craft and practicing his talents in many states of the republic. Now, in Casa Adela, we may watch him at his turning wheel or as he mixes the different kinds of clay for the perfect blend required by that special piece that will delight discerning eyes. His designs are original and they go from a very classical style to a modernistic approach. Wood. Fernando Olivares is a young local artist whose shop inside Casa Adela is limited by four carved wood columns. On the day we visited he was working on a very interesting project: a howling wolf sculpted from a huge piece of wood. Hanging around, in various stages of completion, the pieces produced by his fancy included a headboard with angels, decorative suns and moons that he leaves natural or stained and tiny hanging consoles brightly painted in strong, vivid colors. •  Mundo de Cristal Although this very busy workshop consists mainly of local artisans, the glass blowers who came here initially to train the Vallartenses were from the famous town of Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, where the manufacture of this glass has become more than a livelihood, a tradition. Once the whole process of fabricating blown-glass pieces takes place before your eyes, shelf after shelf of the showroom's display cases is filled with Benny Ibarra Jr.'s designs. Besides being suppliers to restaurants and hotels, Benny's team at Mundo de Cristal will also manufacture your own designs. If you find a piece that you like in a magazine or a book-a set of glasses, a special vase-they will try to reproduce it for you! •  Sierra Madre A different approach to glass is displayed by Antonio Rosas whose exquisitely tiny pieces of transparent colorless glass are a joy to behold. Right before your eyes, minute chunks of glass adopt the shape of African rhinos, fat funny pigs, and mystical turtles or owls (sold at $30 pesos each). But Antonio, armed with his welding torch, also makes larger pieces (like a terrific scorpion on display at the store when we saw him) and even gives shape to the creatures of your own fancy. •  Galería EM Estela and Mariano Pérez have been working as a team since their marriage 12 years ago. As an architect, Estela makes the drawings while he, an industrial designer, sees that they are transformed into the colorful stained-glass windows, door panels, domes or mirrors that can be admired all around town. Besides the gallery on the Marina Vallarta boardwalk, Estela and Mariano have opened up their workshop - located across the road from Plaza Neptuno - to curious eyes who want to find out exactly how stained-glass objects are made from scratch. •  Mundo de Azulejos Benny Ibarra, the proud owner of the first industry in Vallarta, has become a celebrity thanks to a tile mural done completely in his workshop for an Arabian prince and now considered the largest tile mural in the world! At the time of our visit he was working on a dinner set for the same prince and baking quite a few tiles in the shape of a hamburger that will cover the wall of a new guess-what joint. World of tiles is located in a large building in the heart of Vallarta completely outfitted with furnaces for baking the clay pieces, tables for decorating them and patios where they dry under the sun. ... and enjoy the unique selections from: •  Arte A good experience for those interested in Mexican tradition through time. Located half a block from the Malecon, here is a place where the old and the new come together in works by important Mexican artists, primitive and Colonial art, furniture, paintings, sculptures, accessories and carefully chosen unique pieces. Find the most original gift or the ideal piece to decorate your home. Personal attention from owner. Professional packing and deliveries. •  Patti Gallardo After 13 years in Vallarta, Canadian artist-designer Patti Gallardo, of Tabu Artwear, has completed the building of her second store, Eclectic Art, a contemporary yet rustic looking shop with all the vibrancy of Mexico. This store is full of handcrafted pieces by artists from around the world and by Patti herself. Here you will find that unique piece you've been searching for among French handmade paper, aluminum tube rocking chairs, area rugs, sculptures, fine art and an array of silk and hand-painted clothing. Patti is a seasoned interior designer and can help you transform your home, with all the right touches to create a comfortable and unique living environment. •  Etnica Two locations to choose from: Playa los Arcos hotel and the Krystal hotel. Etnica boutiques offer a selection of cool, comfortable resort and sophisticated casual wear in cotton, finely designed in hand-woven and embroidered fabrics, as well as fresh, lightweight batik sundresses and pareos. You are sure to find the perfect apparel for day or evening: just dress it up with the unique accessories found at Etnica. The salespeople are friendly and can help you create that special outfit. It's fashion with art! •  Viva Viva has become a legend in only one year! A truly original store carrying over 152 international jewelry designers that work in pearls, semi-precious stones, gold, silver, bone, horn, ethnic and antique jewelry. A store that believes good design does not upon depend upon price and offers beautiful pieces from US$3 to US$3,000. Jewelry for women, men and babies. Viva has the largest selection of French ballet flats and French and Spanish espadrilles in the world. These shoes were made famous by Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn and have never lost their cachet. Many of the shoes for men, women and children were designed especially for Viva from fabrics collected from all over the world. Viva believes shopping should be fun, exciting, sexy and hassle-free. Major credit cards accepted.

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Last Update 13/12/01 m3 © Producciones ViVa