"I'm passionate about weaving, and it lets me support my wife and son. They are my biggest motivation to continue working. Each rug teaches me something new about becoming a great artisan. This art is something I'd like to preserve, since weaving offers my community a way to keep our history and traditions alive."
Located in the southern colonial highlands of Mexico, Oaxaca is a cultural mecca that is rich in customs and traditions. It is also home to our artisan José. José uses the pure hand-spun wool of local sheep and completely natural dyes to create these stunning rugs.
From designing to dyeing and then weaving, José is committed to carrying on this ancient art. Since he began weaving at nine years old, he has known that the pieces he creates are keeping the rich history of his community alive. In this small community, there is a deep tradition of weaving with the pedal loom, introduced to Oaxaca by the Dominican monks in the 16th century.
José weaves rugs dyed with organic colours derived from the plants that flourish in the area. Watching José transform a handful of leaves or a pinch of ash or a drop of citrus into brilliant hues is nothing short of magic. This is where your rug comes from – a combination of nature, tradition, and alchemy – and from José, who weaves the three together.