Category Archives: This and That

Frida in Mexican Folk Art: a virtual exhibit in conjunction with the Frick Pittsburgh

Click here to register for Frida in Mexican Folk and Popular Art,
a virtual event I am doing in conjunction with the Frick Pittsburgh on May 11, 2021at 7:00 PM! Cost: Free for members; $5 students; $10 non-members; advance registration required. I’ll have special guest, my dear friend designer Maria Belen, and you don’t want to miss what she is going to show you!

Small Biz Saturday with the North Side/North Shore Chamber of Commerce

Hola Friends, Amigos! Tomorrow you can find me celebrating #SmallBusinessSaturday with the North Side/North Shore Chamber of Commerce at the corner of Western and Galveston Avenues, where you can take part in a fun scavenger hunt and be entered to win some swell swag (see info below)! In the spirit of the occasion, I will only be bringing miniature things, and many of you who collect them know that this includes the much beloved mice engaged in shenanigans, and bobble heads, perfect stocking stuffers. Other Big Things are in the works, as well. But if I told you now what they are, that would ruin the surprise. So just take my word for it: something’s coming. 

Insta-Lindo! Follow Mexico Lindo on Instagram

The site re-do/Shopification is underway (no, hell hasn’t frozen over), and the new Instagram will supplant the current Galeria section, which is using handmade code too old to be useful on multiple platforms and devices. It features some of my favorite photography from these many years of travels, some store items, and some personal collection glimpses. It’s basically the same as my personal instagram, minus the occasional naughty selfie. 

June News: Squirrel Hill Night Market and Fundraising for PULSE Victims

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Season’s Greetings

felices fiestasTo all who have supported me through another difficult year with the losses of more family, friends and another pet ~ from the artesanos who patiently teach and assist me while they keep creating, innovating and surprising us with their seemingly unlimited capacity to find and produce beauty, to those who keep showing up at the store, not only for special events but throughout each season, and to the collectors from all corners of the continent, who are patient enough to know the limitations of my time spent in day to day operations at the store vs. time to work on the site (and yet they find me in any case and ask to see what I have!): I send all of my admiration, thanks and love. May each of you be as fortunate as I in spending your holidays with ones that you love. May the coming year bring each of you peace, comfort and joy, as you do to me, in all of the ways that you most need to find them.

I will be open tomorrow until 5 pm for your last minute shopping needs. As always, I have lots of new things and great ideas for you in every price range. When you come please bring an item for the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry and be entered to win a $25 gift certificate. Vote on the holiday window competition sponsored by my friends at Uncover Squirrel Hill and  be entered to win an incredible gift basket. ¡Felices Fiestas!

Save the Dates!

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~Felices Fiestas y Gracias~

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I have profound gratitude for all of you: artesanos, customers, family and friends…and the beauty of that list is that most of you are all of all of these things to me, elegantly combined,
each in their own way.
Each day, you have taken turns showing up for me, and for the love of Jean-Pierre, and each time someone leaves with something beautiful, they also leave for me a portion of their love,
as we share stories and histories of the pieces, the artists, and one another, joys and sorrows, hopes and dreams.
May your holidays be shared in love and kinship and may we continue on this magical path together.
Tomorrow I will be in the store for your last minute shopping needs from 10 until 5:00, with good music, gift wrapping and plenty of ideas for you, and of course I will be off on the 25th.

Trip Pix and Picks: Another Report from the Road


¡Hello, Friends! We had another fruitful shopping expedition in September and wanted to share some photos, new things and experiences with you.

As always, we begin and end our journeys in Mexico City, and no matter how many times we have seen it, there is still nothing better than that first glimpse of the Angel of Independence after having been away for a time. She was looking especially regal that first evening of our arrival.

Nearby on the Reforma in front of the American Embassy, we saw a presentation and demonstration by the Yo Soy #132 Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity.

The next morning we were off bright and early to Taxco in search of more silver for the holiday season. We feel the same way about the cathedral Santa Prisca as we do about the Angel: a million views and photos will never be enough to entirely take in it’s grandeur.

There were many wondrous finds to be had in sterling silver, and we did our best to find things that were not only beautiful, but also hand made, well-executed and unique. Here is an extra large fine filigree earring with turquoise that manages to retain grace and style without being too overbearing:

Two turquoise dolphins grace this elegant choker:

And here is a whimsical sheep clothed in cultured freshwater pearls that can do double duty as either a pin or a pendant.

It was also the time and place to find more of our favorite silly, black and white muerto-themed ceramic cranios, boxes and other small items, and we weren’t disappointed. We have enough cavorting, lovesick skeletons to please all of you!


…And there were kitties galore!

A glorious antique, giant wooden jaguar covered in milagros took us by surprise and could not be left behind…

Next we off to Metepec for some new Trees of Life. All was still decorated for Independence Day and the surroundings were delightful. A special gigantic Arbol that had been made for the Bicentennial was impressive:


Two of our finds:


A visit with our longtime friend Alejandro Sergio Hernandez, Maestro of papel picado, yielded these two highly unusual, one of a kind panels framed in tin:

Nearby, we were glad to find that our favorite purveyor of extra fancy sugar skulls with feathers and tiaras was still there and fully stocked. We hand carried some of these all the way home. :)

The next day we moved on to Queretaro for a little R&R and were delighted by the enchanting B&B, Villa del Villar. You are greeted upon entering by two canaries, singing their perfect songs:

The canaries overlook an inner courtyard, which is graced by a stately bougainvillea, that dropped its’ petals like blessings, too beautiful to step on:


Breakfast was made to order…and we were amazed to realize we had found our own little piece of heaven; we highly recommend it!

Queretaro is charming, picturesque and there are many museums to explore, but as usual, we hadn’t allowed enough time for such luxuries. Still, we can never pass by a grand cathedral without taking photos, and this one was no exception:


Another church nearby had an enchanted gateway that beckoned in the evening:

Everywhere throughout the many little plazas there were vendors of every trinket imaginable, and so of course we couldn’t help ourselves. This Otomi woman had wonderful things, and we did get some darling dolls, but it was her beauty and her glorious attire that compelled us to ask for a photo:

We found some of the wonderful opals that Queretaro is known for:

Every evening there is a full-fledged flag lowering ceremony outside of this government building, complete with drummers and singing of the National Anthem, and we were thrilled to witness it in all of its’ pageantry.

The next day we took a quick trip to San Miguel de Allende, and there, of course, was another grand cathedral that did not disappoint:


We witnessed a beautiful Marian procession into the church, as well:

We were pleasantly surprised to find some gorgeous Mata Ortiz ollas that did not break the bank; this one was unlike any we had seen before:

We had a quick and impromptu tour of the famous Museum of the Mask, housed within the charming Casa de la Cuesta B&B,. Heidi was thoroughly charming and accommodating, considering that we didn’t have an appointment, and we thank her for her hospitality and for sharing her extensive knowledge. This collection is astounding, a must-see for any mask collector! We will be returning when we have more time to properly appreciate it. The B&B has heavenly views, within and without. Take a look at their photo gallery, and you will see what we mean! We left reluctantly, and so it was back to Queretaro, and we left the next morning for Mexico City once again.

There was much shopping still to do, and we got right to it, from Coyoacan to San Angel and many points in between. We spent time with the Huichols, and left with these glorious gourds in beads and yarn…

and an unforgettable encounter with a little Princess:

We found some great new muerto and luchador t shirts to add to our already large selection, as well as aprons:



There were tequila glasses with everyones’ favorite, the loteria:

..and purses with loteria figures and sugar skulls, as well:

…and painted pumpkins made of copper:

…and Precolumbian jaguars, and legendary tacos, big, scary but delicious fish,
and darling tiny turtles, and so much more!




But we could go on all day….and it’s time now to begin getting ready for Dia de los Muertos! So you’ll have to come and see for yourselves! Until then… hasta la proxima vez :)

Two wonderful Oaxacan exhibits for those in and near San Francisco…

San Franciscans have two fascinating exhibits to enjoy this month; the first is “Searching for Queertopia”, a view into the culture of the Muxes of Juchitan at Galeria de la Raza. You can also read more about it here at NPR.

Here at the store, we also have in stock an award winning documentary on DVD by Ethnoscope films about the Muxes, for 26.95.

above: “Amanecienco” by Justina Fuentes Zárate, Guardian photo by Caitlin Donohue

The San Francisco Bay Guardian Onlines’ Caitlin Donohue describes the impetus for The Magic Surrealists of Oaxaca”, an exhibit currently on display at the SoMa Mexican consulate. The consulate is also screening “El Informe Toledo” on July 26, a documentary made by Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal’s production company, based on the life of the Maestro Francisco Toledo.

Dia de los Muertos Kickstarter Project for Kamio Media

Kyle Maier and Amie Gibson of Kamio Media have asked for some assistance in getting the word out about their Kickstarter Project for making a documentary about the rising popularity of Dia de los Muertos observances and artwork in the USA. They are asking people for their input as well as funding. I know there are a lot of you out there who are artists working exclusively in this genre and that you may like to be included, so give them a shout and a helping hand if you can!