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Art & Handicrafts

Mayan Pottery Vendor

Mayan Ceramic Pottery Vendor

During a recent street photography walk we came across Teresita, a lovely grandmother selling Mayan ceramic pottery at a corner. We asked …

Colorful Guatemalan maracas or chinchines BY RUDY GIRON

Happy New Year 2019

Here’s your illustrated Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Chinchines for maracas as they are widely known. Let’s begin the new year …

Walking Among Giants in Antigua Guatemala BY RUDY GIRON

Walking Among Giants in Antigua Guatemala

Since we are talking about the Gigantes, which are used in Dances of the Giants or Baile de los Gigantes, through this link you will find the agenda of activities for The End of the Year Festival at Calle del Arco. Enjoy!

Guatemalan Christmas Syncretism BY RUDY GIRON

Guatemalan Christmas Syncretism

Gabriela Orozco García, 19 years old, puts the final touches on a figure of a Mayan-inspired Nativity scene. The Orozco García family from Antigua Guatemala are renown artisans who produce ceramic Nativity scenes with Mayan attires from all regions of Guatemala.

Metal crafts artisan at work

Have I mentioned that there are hundreds of artisans living and working out the villages of Antigua Guatemala. I know in the …

The Butterfly Makers

We continue with our entrepreneurial series with the metal artisans in San Gaspar Vivar. At this shop the blacksmiths and artisans make …

Guatemalan Colors and Smiles

Today I share with you a candid portrait of Ruth, one of the vendors that offers colourful hand-woven Mayan textiles from the …

The Handmade Economy — Textiles

In a world where automation and factory automated assembly lines are the goals, Guatemala still prides and encourages the handmade economy. Even …

all I need is a window, satchels and I'm ready © Rudy Giron

Open For Business

Here’s your Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Morral or satchel or tote bag. All I need is a window, some satchels …

Wood Carving Artisan’s Bench

Today we see the work another wood artist, a wood carving artisan from Antigua Guatemala. Still surprises me how open and friendly …

Cohetes de Guatemala Poster

Who would have thought that the labels for Guatemalan firecrackers would make a good poster. Have you ever bought any of these …

Guatemalan Maya Nacimientos

As I have shared with you before, during early December, in Guatemala people begin putting up their Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes); a tradition …

Window Iron Grate

I am always amazed with the high quality of craftsmanship found the ironworks in Antigua Guatemala. Another art discipline where Guatemalan excel …

Bird’s Eye View of Nim Pot

Nim Pot is another business that has turned into a landmark of Antigua Guatemala. I believe I have shown some handicrafts from …

Antigua Guatemalan Water Jar

Here’s your Guatemalan Spanish word for the day: Tinaja or water jar. They don’t make things like they used. Take this over …

Meet Suerte y Fortuna

Luck is nothing more than opportunity meeting preparation. So, I have to be ready when opportunity comes along. Can anyone tell why …

Clay Pottery for Sale

This wonderful clay pottery was brought all the way from Totonicapán; that’s near Xela in case you didn’t know, to be sold …

Guatemalan Fortune Owls

Did you know that the number 13 is sacred and a good luck number for the Maya? The same principal applies to …

Typical Guatemalan Nativity Scene

This is also the season of posadas (shelter quest) and nacimientos (nativity scenes) in Latin America, Guatemala and more specifically Antigua Guatemala. …

Cucurucho Handicrafts by Rudy Girón

Cucurucho Handicrafts

The fear of photography is real in Antigua Guatemala. More often I am finding signs which prohibit photography. That’s kind of ironic …

Making the Sale

If you spent any time on Parque Central, this will be one of the most common vistas. If you spend too much …

Traditional Guatemalan Baskets

These are the more traditional baskets found in Guatemala. I believe these baskets are made from Maguey fiber. Kathryn Rousso knows for …

Pine-needle Baskets

At the recent Fair Trade Fair in Antigua Guatemala I found these gorgeous baskets made from dried pine needles. The vendor had …

Guatemalan Ceramic Owls

The traditional ceramic owls in La Antigua Guatemala are yellow, orange and brown as I have show you before, but more recently …

Colorful Guatemalan Purse

Rich colors, patterns and textures are what one gets when buying a piece of Guatemalan textiles. A good example of this statement …

Guatemalan Kites For Sale

I remember that when I was a kid my friends and I made these kind of kites from scratch; barriletes we call …

Wall Decoration: Chairs

I believe this is the second time I noticed these wooden rustic chairs hanging from a wall. In the post Hanging Chairs …

Theme Day: Mysterious Objects

The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world …

Wooden Fruit Handicrafts

With today’s entry we finish the handicrafts from around Antigua Guatemala series. Yes, I bet many of you don’t know we were …

Mayan Ceramic Replicas

These Mayan ceramic replicas can be had for about Q150/$20, but DO NOT try to take them out of the country because …

Colorful and Tiny Nativity Scenes

Don’t you wish you can have one these adorable Guatemalan nacimientos (nativity scenes) in your own home for the next Christmas? In …

Metal Figurines

Metal handicrafts are also very popular so there are plenty of artisans around Antigua Guatemala that work with metal. Often you will …

Corn Husk Dolls

Since We’re Men of Maize it’s no wonder that we also do many things with the by-products of maize. We use corn …

Catholic Decorations: San Cristóbal

We continue the Catholic Decorations series with an image of San Cristóbal (Saint Christopher). Because Christopher offered protection to travelers and against …

Catholic Decorations: Angel

Angels are, of course, the most often found catholic imagery decoration found in La Antigua Guatemala. The wooden angel above can be …

Catholic Decorations: San Miguel

La Antigua Guatemala has to be most catholic town in Guatemala, heck make that Central America. Nowhere is Catholicism more solidly embedded …

Masks

Masks are beautiful, of course. It is said that people wear masks, depending on how they live on a daily basis. Simple …

Cucurucho Candles

You’d be amazed on everything that might be for sale on the streets of La Antigua Guatemala during Lent. This time while …

Guatemalan Coffee-sacks-style Satchels

These Guatemalan coffee-style satchels are perfect for coffee lovers… and they are ecological too since they’re made from recycled coffee sacks. Besides …

Tuk Tuk Toy

Believe it or not, the tuk tuk motorcycles which are used as short-run taxis, tourist police patrols units and grocery delivery vehicles …

El Carmen Handicrafts Market

Visiting the El Carmen ruins folkart market is among the top things people do on the weekends and holidays in La Antigua …

The Giant Kites Are Coming

If you are planning to leave Guatemala before November 1, you will certainly miss the Giant Kites of Santiago and Sumpango. You …

Colorful Guatemala

Colorful Guatemala, I tell you, colorful Guatemala! Si ni los mismos guatemaltecos logramos entender la complejidad cultural en la que vivimos… —Ale …

Guatemalan Style Backpack

Guatemala has some of the best textiles you can find in the world. If you come to La Antigua Guatemala, you can …

Guatemalan Style Coffee Satchel

This satchel is perfect for coffee lovers. This satchel is made by recycling of the coffee sacks used for carrying whole coffee …

Antigua’s Metallic Owl

Details, details, details. I believe beauty manifests itself in the details. Correct me if I am wrong!

Colorful Chicken Bus Terminal

A quick trip to the handicrafts market provides a handful of colorful images like the one above. Stay tune for upcoming photos …