Pino Box

MyCajita’s Pino Box has 3 stunning pieces to be used as functional decorations for your home, kitchen, or office. Use them in the kitchen for fruit, bread, and tortillas; in the office to help organize your things; or as a centerpiece for your table or mantel. They are made 100% of natural pine needles and fill your space with the unforgettable aroma of pine trees. This box comes with 3 baskets, with your choice of design. Flor, is a playful take on the traditional, with curved lines and openings throughout the pieces. Pino, is a contemporary design that keeps lines straight and clean. Each set of 3 measures approx. 18x8x25 cm, 14x6x20 cm, and 10x6x16 cm. (Each piece is handmade and may vary in exact dimensions.)

What’s in the box:

• (1) Large Basket (18x8x25 cm)
• (1) Medium Basket (14x6x20 cm)
• (1) Small Basket (10x6x16 cm)

Pino Baskets – Donato Guerra, Mexico:

On the western edge of the state of Mexico, just bordering the state of Michoacan, lies Donato Guerra, a municipality of 30,000 inhabitants known for its rolling hills and lush forest. Originally known as Mazahua territory until 1477 when it came under Mexica rule, the region later became known as the Malacatepec (meaning hill in the shape of a spindal). The municipality is in the geographical region of the Sierra Mil Cumbres, with mountiain peaks reaching 3,000 meters and tropical terrain at its base and valleys. This fertile land is mainly forest and covered with pine, cedar, and oak trees. Wild rabbits, coyotes, and deer still roam around these parts. Agriculture is still the main form of living and the fields are filled with avocado, chirimoya, walnut, plum, and tejocote. The rural farmers work with the land to provide for themselves and their families.

Ocoxal, or oja de pino, has been used for many centuries by residents of Donato Guerra for many things. From fuel, to building material, and making useful household items. Most people learn at an early age how to work the Ocoxal and make, in between farming and raising children, on their artesania. Selecting the needles is the most important, since not any pine needle can be used. It has to be long and recently fallen so that it is not brittle and break. The needles are soaked and washed for 3 days before being left to hang and dry for a week. Once ready, these long pine needles are tightly woven together to form its shape. A medium sized piece takes about 6 hours to make.

In an effort to improve the economic situation of its residents, the artesanos of Donato Guerra formed a cooperative and started to work together. With some residents with over 35 years of experience working Ocoxal and others just under a year, it was a way for them to insure fair wages and prices of their goods and an ability to complete large orders in a timely manner. The group elects its own leaders and meet on a regular basis. We are happy to work with them and support their community.