Working collaboratively with artisans from more than 20 communities across the state of Veracruz, Mexico, from the coastline to the high mountains, Casa de La Cruz make products that combine contemporary design processes and traditional techniques.

Designing high-quality objects such as sheep wool blankets, ceramics, and wooden candlesticks, that reflect the cultural traditions of Veracruz, they work with artisans to create pieces of exquisite beauty. They revive traditional techniques, materials and rituals and fuse them with a contemporary aesthetic, with the aim of sharing the immense artisanal wealth of the state.

Items for sale online include a cotton mat from Popoluca and a sheep wool blanket from Zongolica. The cotton textile is made using a waist loom by weaving artisans from the Popoluca region of southern Veracruz. Its pattern includes representative iconography of the sea, traditionally important for native cultures as a source of food and an ancestral spiritual connection. The sheep wool blanket, also made using a waist loom by artisans of the Zongolica mountain range, using natural wool from locally raised sheep. It shows representative iconography of the snake's skin.

Sculptural items include a tropical wooden candlestick made of hand carved cocuite, polished with beeswax, made by artisans from the Nahua region in southern Veracruz. The candlestick comes with a set of handmade candles by artisans of the Sierra de Papantla.

Casa de la Cruz encourage the artisans they work with to innovate, to propose new creations that mix traditions, customs, representative icons and symbols as well as continuing to use traditional techniques and materials. Through their work, the company hopes to improve the local economy, and the living standards of their workers.

To find out more visit www.casadelacruz.mx

You can read more about Mexico’s artisans and textile heritage in Selvedge Issue 89 Latin: Viva la Mexico, co-edited by Marcella Echavarria.