A few years ago, our guest writer Arturo Godoy published a post about custom-made boots and shoes made in Pastores, a town about 3 miles from Antigua Guatemala. Since then, I have learned about at least three boot designers and entrepreneurs who take advantage of the high-quality hand-made skills of the shoe makers in Guatemala. … Read more
As I have mentioned before, a handicraft market mushrooms on the outside of Ruinas Del Carmen on the weekends and holidays. The ruins of El Carmen are located on 3a avenida norte, between 2a calle oriente and 3a calle oriente. It is a great place to enjoy the Winter weather outside while negotiating the best … Read more
Today we see the work another wood artist, a wood carving artisan from Antigua Guatemala. Still surprises me how open and friendly the people of Antigua Guatemala are. Here I was walking through a village and I saw the morning light hitting a bench and stopped and pulled out my camera to capture, of course … Read more
Who would have thought that the labels for Guatemalan firecrackers would make a good poster. Have you ever bought any of these firecrackers while in Guatemala? Here’s your Spanish word of the day: Afiche, that’s poster for you.
Once again my photographic collection of mermaids and harpies from Antigua Guatemala was shown as part of the conference, “Las sirenas de Antigua Guatemala y sus antecedentes históricos” by Dr. Miguel F. Torres on May 22 at Museo Popol Vuh at Universidad Francisco Marroquín. Since the last time the sirens appeared in the Cultura supplement … Read more
Back in May 2008 I shared the first of photo of this old man from the high lands of Guatemala who comes down to Antigua Guatemala to sell his creations, mostly carved angels, but sometimes even saints. I really admire this artisan who can barely speaks Spanish, yet he launches every week to the streets … Read more
I don’t know about you, but I really like the tastefulness of these antique and rustic candleholders. In fact, I believe, that one must have a liking for the aesthetic of rustic and antique to appreciate the beauty of the architecture and art often found in Antigua Guatemala. Don’t you agree?
Nacimientos are Nativity (Navidad in Spanish) scenes shrines made to celebrate during the December until Christmas or Navidad in Spanish. On December 8th, the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated and with this the ‘Religious Christmas Season’ is officially started. For those who are not well verse in Catholic imagery, myself included, normally the … Read more
As I have shared with you before, during early December, in Guatemala people begin putting up their Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes); a tradition that was brought to Guatemala by Santo Hermano Pedro de Betancourt and then spread to the rest of American continent. One important aspect of nacimientos is that baby Jesus is missing from the … Read more
Several times through the year the artisans from Antigua Guatemala set up booths to show case and sell their creations. Normally, they do it on the main square, the Plaza Mayor that we informally called Parque Central. This time though, the handicraft stands were set underneath the arched corridor of Palacio de los Capitanes. They … Read more
I am always amazed with the high quality of craftsmanship found the ironworks in Antigua Guatemala. Another art discipline where Guatemalan excel is sculpture.
Necklaces are other popular handicrafts and jewelry produced in Guatemala. There are plenty of shops and ambulant vendors where one can buy an inexpensive necklace or a very expensive gold and jade necklace; there are options for all budgets, you know.
Capiruchos is what Guatemalans called this wooden toys, very similar to cup-and-ball. According to Wikipedia, capirucho is a traditional child’s toy it is a wooden cup with a handle, and a small ball attached to the cup by a string. It is popular in Spanish-speaking countries, where it is called “boliche”. The name varies across … Read more
This past weekend we had the opportunity to visit the artisan handicraft market that setup shop at Antigua Guatemala’s parque central, main square for you anglophones. As always, I took some time to talk to some of the artisan and that’s how I learned this leather handicrafts are produced in the village of San Pedro … Read more
Nim Pot is another business that has turned into a landmark of Antigua Guatemala. I believe I have shown some handicrafts from here before, but this is the first time I get to capture a bird’s eye view of this folk art market. Do you know where is Nim Pot located?