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  • Drops
    • June 13th - Perfect Travel Totes + Beatriz Bags
    • June 6th - Market Totes + Mexico Faves
    • June 4th - Original CDBs & Corte Wet Bags
    • May 30th - Mexico, OOAK & Corte Finds
    • Memorial Day Weekend Sale
    • May 23rd - Mexico Capsule + OOAK Beatriz
    • May 21st - OOAK & Showstopper Wanders
    • May 16th - Spring Florals & Upcycled Wovens
    • May 14th - Corte Hobo Bags + Sling Sale
    • May 9th - Vino Capsule & Odysseys
    • May 7th - Beatriz, Revival & Perfect Bags
    • May 2nd - Ali's Butterfly Capsule + Fringe SALE
    • April 30th - Convertible Day Bags
    • April 25th - New Penelope Bag
    • April 23rd - Florals for Mom
    • April 18th - Mother's Day Jade
    • April 16th - Denim Sale
    • April 11th - Showstopper Inspired Wanders
    • April 9th - H&S Moons + Curated OOAKs
    • April 4th - H&S Wheat
    • April 1st - Unreal April Fools' Deals
    • March 28th - Mexico Textiles
    • March 26th - Spring Break Bags
    • March 21st - OOAK Vintage Weekenders
    • March 19th - Bag Strap Pre-Order
    • March 17th - Lucky You!
    • March 14th - Beaded Wanders & Corte Faves
    • March 12th - Accessory Grab Bags
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    • March 5th - Copper Leather Capsule
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    • February 12th - Womanhood
    • February 7th - Love Birds
    • February 4th - Special Evening Drop
    • January 31st - OOAK Valentine's
    • January 30th - Snake Drop
    • January 24th - Cerulean Capsule
    • January 22nd - Showstopper No. 3
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    • December 19th - Beads and Hip Satchels
    • December 18th - Wrangler Leather
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Symbols of Mexico: The All-Natural Story

Symbols of Mexico: The All-Natural Story

August 13, 2020
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The Mexico Collection features symbols of its culture, created in a variety of unique natural colors. Full grain leather, luxurious structure, and rich colors make this collection special. The Artisans behind this collection use an all-natural process to create each bag. They dye the weavings using materials found near their homes, and they create their designs using the traditional symbols of their culture.

Wool Dyeing Process

Master Artisans dye the wool using organic materials that grow near their homes in Oaxaca, Mexico. This tradition has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. We are grateful to them for their skill in creating these beautiful colors in a sustainable and non-toxic way.

Wool Treatment

First, the Artisans wash the wool with cold water and let it dry for a few days. Then they comb through the wool. Combing the wool separates it from plants or foreign fibers that may have become entangled in it.  After the wool has been combed, they spin it into yarn.

Color Preparation

Walnut Dye Mexico Collection

Organic materials soak in water for days or even weeks until they become dye. This process is unique because the dyes are developed through fermentation. Some of the elements used to make the natural dyes might surprise you!

  • Brown is created using dried pomegranate peel.
  • Artisans use dried walnut peel to dye the wool a darker brown.
  • Alfalfa is used for green dye.
  • Curcuma (turmeric) produces a beautiful yellow.
  • You may not have heard of Cochinilla, but you’ve probably seen a “roly-poly” beetle! They are used to create 29 different traditional colors.
  • Cochinilla red and lemon yellow together make orange.
  • And blue dye comes from the indigo plant.

Indigo Dye Mexico Collection

Wool Dyeing

After the wool and the color have been prepared, the Artisans bring the dye to a boil. They boil the wool with the dye so the color can set. After the wool has been dyed to the desired color, it is washed and left to dry for at least two days.

Symbols of Mexico

Many of the symbols found in Mexican rugs are pre-Hispanic representations of cycles of life and the natural world. Have you seen any of these symbols in the rug panels on your bags?

The Eye of God

Eye of God Mexico Collection

The Mexican people are a God-fearing society. They believe that God is always watching us. The Eye of God symbol (or Ojo de Dios) brings wishes of health, long life, and protection from harm. It represents the spiritual eye, which is able to see and understand what the physical eye cannot. 

Thunder

Thunder Symbol Mexico Collection

You can recognize thunder symbolism on your bag by its jagged edges and central diamonds. This design often looks like jagged steps. During the rainy season in Oaxaca, it’s common for thunderstorms to form and blow through as quickly as they came. According to the ancient Mayans, thunder was created by the god Chaac using an axe to strike the clouds.

The Snail

Grecas Snail Symbol Mexico Collection

The snail design is often referred to as “Grecas,” because it resembles a Greek symbol. It is square in shape and coils inward. The snail represents different stages of life: birth, growth, death, and rebirth. 

More About Mexico

You can learn more about how our Mexican Master Artisans prepare and dye their wool at our Thrive Virtual VIP Event in September! The Artisans will welcome you into their workspaces and share their stories with you.

SHOP MEXICO COLLECTION 

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