Luz

Enjoy the Luz (Light) box which brings us visibility, warmth, and love. Use the beautiful Barro Negro (black clay) lantern from San Bortolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca as the perfect centerpiece for a romantic dinner, late night reading session or the perfect patio lantern. This lantern piece is an elegant egg shape to bring out the delicate and intricate carvings of sunflowers and takes an hour just to carve. The whole process takes weeks, from soaking the clay to remove impurities, to forming the shapes and allowing them to dry. Pair your lantern with the lovely rose scented candle, “La Rosa” from Amor y Flor. Amor y Flor is a company based in Los Angeles, California that handcrafts only nontoxic candles containing all-natural soy wax, essential oils, premium fragrance, and cotton-braided wicks. You’ll love the wonderful combination of color and smell that you get when you place these two items together.

What’s in the box:

• (1) Barro Negro Lantern w/ separate stand
• (1) Amor y Flor “La Rosa” scented candle

Barro Negro Lantern

Barro negro pottery (“black clay”) is a style of pottery from San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca, distinguished by its color, sheen and unique designs. The origins of Barro negro pottery extend through the Monte Albán period (500 BC), with examples of it found at archeological sites, fashioned mostly into jars and other utilitarian items. It has remained a traditional craft of the Zapotecs and Mixtecs of the Central Valleys area to the present day. Originally Barro negro pottery was matte, grayish and very sturdy. In the 1950s, it was discovered that you could change the color and shine of the pieces by polishing the clay pieces and firing them at a slightly lower temperature. Just before the formed clay piece is completely dry, it is polished with a quartz stone to compress the surface. After firing, the piece emerges a shiny black instead of a dull gray. This innovation makes the pieces more delicate, but the final piece looks amazing.

The elegant egg shape allows the sunflowers to be displayed and the delicate curves to be appreciated. With a good candle, you can see the shadows it casts across the room. It can also be used as a decorative piece, with or without the stand, for your home. The piece takes a week to dry and about an hour to carve before it’s polished and put in the below the ground oven to set.

Doña Esther Real and her husband Don Emilio Ortiz have been making Barro negro for many generations and continue the tradition with their three children. Their family business supports 10 families in their community and they have expanded over the years.

View shorts clips of your Barro negro lantern being made: Artisan Videos

Amor Y Flor

Enjoy “La Rosa” a handcrafted nontoxic candle from Amor y Flor that contains all-natural soy wax, essential oils, premium fragrance, and cotton-braided wicks. Amor y Flor was founded by Lorraine Salazar in 2011 and is based out of Los Angeles, California. Lorraine began Amor y Flor as a way to hold memories of her grandmother close, as she spent much time helping her grandmother tend to her rose garden.

Amor y Flor began offering their handcrafted candles in 2011 at local craft shows and on Etsy. Scents such as Rosita (now La Rosa), Beso, Horchata, Sangria, Mexican Vanilla and Novio (now Lowrider) were among some of Amor y Flor’s original scents.  Lorraine and her husband have since expanded their family by one sweet baby girl, whilst the company has continued to expand its’ scents over the years, creating El Lobo Negro when Lorraine saw a demand from her male customers for more masculine and outdoorsy inspired scents.