Huichol Yarn Paintings and Bead Art

Casa Artelexia

Descendents of the Aztec, the Huichol or Wixáritari are an indigenous ethnic group of western central Mexico, living in the Sierra Madre Occidental range in the Mexican states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Durango. They are best known to the larger world as the Huichol; however, they refer to themselves as Wixáritari ("the people") in their native Huichol language.

For the Huichol, yarn painting is not only an aesthetic or commercial art form. The symbols in these paintings are sprung out of Huichol culture and its shamanistic traditions. The yarn paintings were originally used as offerings at their religious sites. From the small beaded eggs and jaguar heads to the modern detailed yarn paintings in psychedelic colors, each is related to a part of Huichol tradition and belief.

The beaded art is a relatively new innovation and is constructed using glass, plastic or metal beads pressed onto a wooden form covered in beeswax. Common bead art forms include masks, bowls and figurines. Like all Huichol art, the bead work depicts the prominent patterns and symbols featured in the Huichol religion. Peyote is a focal point for their ceremonies, and their colorful beadwork and yarn work reflects a reverent and symbiotic relationship with nature.

$2 Margarita Tuesday

If anyone in the San Diego area likes margaritas, especially $2 margaritas, then you might want to check out Ortega's in Hillcrest. Every Tuesday they have $2 Margarita Tuesday from 11AM to midnight. With the purchase an entree you can have your heart's fill of margaritas! My favorite is their Puerto Nuevo tortilla soup made with homemade chicken stock, gaullijo chiles, roasted tomatoes, jack cheese, cilantro, avocado, & tortilla strips. They have awesome chips, salsa and guacamole too! If you can't make it for $2 Tuesdays, try their daily Happy Hour from 3-6:30PM and again from 10-midnight! See you there!

What are MILAGROS???

On SALE for $7

The Purpose and Meaning of Milagros

The Spanish word “milagro” literally means “miracle”. A milagro, also known as an “ex-voto” or “dijes”, is an ancient part of Hispanic folk culture. A milagro is traditionally a small votive made of either gold, silver, wood, lead, tin, or wax. The use of milagros is a religious custom in parts of North, Central and South America, as well as parts of the Iberian Peninsula. As part of a religious ritual or an act of devotion, milagros can be offered to a saint as a reminder of a petitioner’s particular need. They are normally placed by worshipers onto altars, religious shrines and on sacred objects. They are used to assist in focusing attention towards a specific ailment, based on the type of charm used. They are also offered as thanks for answered prayers, so that others can receive the benefits for their own ailments or needs.

Milagros come in many shapes, each shape representing one or more needs or prayers. For example a heart charm might represent a wish to heal a heart condition, or a hope to find romance. A leg-shaped milagros may be a wish to fix a leg ailment, or a hope to travel the world. An ear-shaped milagros may refer to a hearing problem, or a wish to be a better listener. It is up to the petitioner to decide what the Milagros represents, so the choices are limitless.

The Histroy of Milagros

The origin of Milagros is believed to have started between the 5^th Century B.C. and 1^st Century B.C. in the coastal regions of Iberia (modern Spain and Portugal). The use of Milagros in the New World, in particular Central and South America, started with the arrival of the Spanish.

On SALE for $85

Here are a few of the items on SALE this week from Artelexia's Milagro Collection

On SALE for $20

On SALE for $32

On SALE for $32

On SALE for $50