ART COLLECTION
& CREATIONTOUR
HECHO A MANO MICHOACAN
"What sets this tour company apart from others is the vision of the owner. She and her colleagues share a deep love for Mexico, especially Michoacan. The tours I have been on have been spectacular; the guide's excitement is infectious. Did I mention I'll be back for more? Yes, of course!"
- Sarah (P'urepecha Meseta 2022)
HECHO A MANO MICHOACAN
AN ART COLLECTION TOUR THAT INCLUDES CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR THE ARTIST IN YOU
STARTS: San Miguel de Allende
ENDS: San Miguel de Allende
DATES: Private Dates for Private Groups
DURATION: 7 Nights / 8 Days
PRICE IS BASED ON COST SHARING & DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
12-14 GUESTS: $34,452 MXN (APPROX $1900 USD / $2600 CAD
INCLUSIONS:
Hotel x 7 nights (double occupancy), 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches & 2 Dinners (Drinks are separate). All Entrance Fees, activities and art workshops are included. Tips are discretionary and appreciated.
CURRENCY CONVERTER
TRIP OVERVIEW
Michoacan is a rich and culturally diverse state worth exploring...
From the famous guitar town of Paracho, a wide range of gorgeous ceramics, a historic church submerged in a lava field, exquisite museum-quality textiles, the cobble-stone magic of Patzcuaro's historical centre and the wonderment of shopping directly from artists you get to meet, this tour has something for everyone...
despite the frantic safety warnings that scare tourists away...
Yes there are issues here that arise from time to time, but those of us in the tourism industry keep our ears to the ground to avoid problem areas. It is important to remember the fact that Cartels do not target tourists, for they are not interested in attracting foreign investigators. The biggest risk of travelling through our state is falling in love, and browsing through real-estate websites in search of your next dream home...
The rural P'urepecha Meseta is as beautiful as it is remote...
Visiting artisans in their homes is an instructive way to learn about their communities, as you have the chance to witness daily life, to see where they work and gain perspective on what inspires their creativity...
and closer to the way we all used to live, in communities without logos...
Visiting this region is like stepping back-in-time, when animals were still utilized as beasts of burden, chickens were roaming about the yard, horses were ridden as a common mode of transportation and cows blocked the roadways. You will also notice a lack of corporate signage, aside from the odd storefront boasting Pepsi or Coca Cola, which we see across the country. Even these businesses are locally owned and operated by families who live here and benefit directly from their businesses...
The pace of life is closely connected to the land and climate...
Though the artists contribute a large part of the economy in this region, chores still take priority throughout the day. Most women weave in their spare time for approximately 3 hours a day, which means that even after all of the chores are done, they are still working their fingers to the bone...
and every art purchase contributes to the local economy here...
We love promoting art collection tours in this region, as there are so few collectors who come here to shop directly. When the children see foreigners who are interested in their culture, it encourages pride. We were so pleased to see that one of the weavers daughters, who we first met 5 years ago, has now started weaving. She was so excited to show us how much she had progressed, in just one week of her first lessons. We look forward to purchasing her pieces to encourage her growth as a weaver and cultural ambassador...
Our tours cover a plethora of subjects, from history, art, gastronomy & more...
We often organize at least one lunch with an indigenous family so you can taste traditional cuisine, much of which hails from pre-Hispanic gastronomy. Our village tours will include history, insights about architecture, art studios and important churches. We try to shy away from too many churches, but those that stand out or have cultural significance are included. This tour also includes a small but important archaeological site...
and enjoy a fairly slow pace, so you aren't completely worn out...
While some tour companies keep you running from morning until night, we have worked diligently to slow the pace of our tours down. For example, rather than rushing through 3-4 towns each day, we will visit Santa Clara del Cobre for a really good exploration of the town, then return to rest. Our first day only includes Capula, as we know you will be tired from the morning commute. We do have a few long days, and one half-day tour that is optional. Please see our detailed itinerary below, which is complete with ample photographs so you can really get a picture of what we will be seeing and doing!
We will stay in a rural setting for one night in cute casitas...
Hacienda Porumbo is a 19th Century estate with a lovely hacienda that is partially restored, and will serve as a wonderful location for some art workshops and delightful meals. Samantha Lopez of Cuernavaca has lived in Patzcuaro for many years, having owned Santo Huacal Restaurant, which was top-rated in Patzcuaro for many years. She has now opened Matrice at Hacienda Porumbo where she and the owner Tomas Torres reside, so will be in charge of our meals.
and will enjoy a few colourful and fun art workshops...
We will start off the day with a flavourful cooking class, learning how to make mole with Samantha. Following lunch, we have arranged for some fun workshops with a few artists, including weaving a coaster on a peddle loom, handcrafting your own milagro (a wooden heart, cross or saint with miracle charms), and painting a Catrina Doll that is pre-molded for you. Though we will be busy cooking and creating this is yet another restful day to enjoy the enchanting grounds of the Hacienda, with a full belly. And if you don't feel like finishing your projects there, you can always take them home...
TRIP ITINERARY
DAY ONE: DAY TBA FOR PRIVATE GROUP
CUPULA - PLACE OF THE CAPULINES
We will depart San Miguel de Allende at 10 AM for the quaint village of Capula. Upon arriving at the estate of Maestro Juan Torres at approximately 1 PM, we will have a lovely picnic in the enchanting gardens of the estate. This afternoon, we will have ample time to reflectively view the expansive estate and galleries here, including fine art paintings by Maestro Juan Torres and his grandaughter Fernanda, the workshop that is run by his wife Belia, and a fantastic designer clothing space that showcases handmade originals by their daughter Velia, including some pieces fabricated with cloth made from printings of her fathers paintings.
Upon leaving the estate, we will make a short stop at the village pottery collective, where you will see countless styles of pottery dishes and Catrina dolls that are made by various artisans here.
Capula style pottery is widespread in Mexico, with traditional pieces handmade from terracotta clay then adorned with dotted flowers patterns. This style has evolved into vibrant colours, with artists elevating their workmanship for finely executed designs that fetch high prices.
Upon arriving in Patzcuaro, we will check into the hotel and go for dinner.
DAY TWO: DAY TBA FOR PRIVATE GROUP
FORGED IN FIRE - MEXICO'S COPPER TOWN
This morning we will depart Patzcuaro after breakfast for the Pueblo Magico of Santa Clara del Cobre. We will divide our group between two artisan homes, as they can only handle a small group at a time. You have the choice of making a little bowl (perfect for salt or your bedside for earrings), a pair of earrings or a bracelet. If you want to make a bracelet, please let us know so we can talk to you about the proper measurement. The workshop will take about an hour and a half, and involves forging your piece in the fire then hammering it into shape using handmade tools, then filing the edges and polishing. Guests have the experience of working in a traditional workshop, working the bellows for the fire, alongside lots of laughter.
After our workshop, we will enjoy a demonstration at one of the major galleries, and free time to browse through the galleries along the plaza. If you aren't interested in browsing or shopping, there is also a fantastic museum here with some incredible pieces on display.
Upon returning to Patzcuaro, we should have some free time before dinner.
DAY THREE: DAY TBA FOR PRIVATE GROUP
TEXTILES, REEDS AND POTTERY
Today is one of our longer days. This morning we will have breakfast, then depart for a wonderful embroidery collective run by our dear friend Teofila Servin. The story cloths of this region are not only famous in Michoacan, but revered internationally among lovers of folkloric handicrafts. Teofila's studio exhibits pillow cases, tapestries, purses, earrings, shawls, blouses and dresses. The workmanship here is fine, with many artists winning regional, national and international competitions.
DAY THREE: CONTINUED...
Departing Teofila's, we will make our way to the Pueblo Magico of Tzintzuntzan to visit Guadalupe Rios for her iconic and high quality ceramics. These pieces are also collected by international collectors, and many of you will have seen her work for sale in San Miguel de Allende. Purchasing directly from her gives you the chance to learn more about the process and to also visit her home and private studio.
DAY THREE: CONTINUED...
Tzintzuntzan means Place of the Hummingbirds. They are famed for their small archaeological site of the same name, which was the capital of the P'urepecha Empire. Tzintzuntzan is also famous for their exquisite Popotillo handicrafts, including an extensive display of hand-woven Christmas ornaments that are available throughout the year.
Just down the road from Guadalupe's home, we will stop to visit the Cornelio family, as they are internationally recognized for their museum quality pieces. Many members from this family have been invited on all-expenses-paid trips to art festival in Europe, and their studio is amazing to behold.
DAY THREE: CONTINUED...
Last but not least, we will arrive in Santa Fe de La Laguna, which has important significance in Michoacan due to her inception as the first Pueblo Hospital of our state, which we will discuss. We will have a traditional lunch with an indigenous family here today, before spending the rest of the afternoon engaged in a fun ceramic workshop with esteemed P'urepecha artist, Nicolas Fabian. Maestro Fabian and his wife Rosario are well known for their engraved ceramics, as well as pre-Hispanic style dishes that feature animal shapes, footed bowls and mugs with faces.
This afternoon, we will spend about two hours with the family, working with clay. For those of you who live in Mexico, this is an extra special workshop because after we leave, Maestro Fabian will dry and fire your pieces, which I can then ship. If you do not live in Mexico, the shipping will be quite costly, so we can discuss this,
We have a dinner appointment with a fabulous restaurant on the outskirts of Patzcuaro, so please be prepared to pork-out tonight! We will return to Patzcuaro at around 7:30/8:00 PM.
DAY FOUR: DAY TBA FOR PRIVATE GROUP
This morning, we will enjoy an optional half-day walking tour of the historical centre of Patzcuaro. We will break free at lunch so you may wander on your own, rest, read a book, people watch in the plaza, write in your journal or take a nap!
DAY FIVE: DAY TBA FOR PRIVATE GROUP
This morning we will check out of the hotel early in order to depart by 8:45 for the lovely Hacienda Porumbo. This 19th century Hacienda is picturesque and surrounded by beautiful gardens, including a plethora of vegetable patches and fruit trees that source a farm-to-table experience. Owners Tomas Torres and Samantha Lopez are our hosts, offering us cute casitas on the property where we will stay overnight.
Due to limited space, we will share accommodations tonight. Couples can share casitas that have rooms, and single travellers can share casitas that have 2 beds per room. Despite the loss of privacy for one night, the experience is worth it to stay out here, where the stars are bright at night and we can even enjoy an evening bonfire.
Our activities here include a a total of 3 options for everyone. You may choose from a morning cooking class, to prepare a traditional mole dish, which we will all eat for lunch. We will also have art workshops including painting a clay Catrina doll, painting and creating your own Milagro using the little metal charms that are meant for manifesting good luck, you can weave a coaster on a treadle loom. If you decide you want to do all four, please let us know and we can make sure to have an extra project for you. The cost will be $500 MXN for the 4th option.
All of the workshops can be taken home for completion with the exception of the weaving, as of course, you will not be able to take the loom home!
Please Note: The photos above were taken at an art creation festival that owner Jennifer Bjarnason founded in 2022. Our workshops will be smaller and more intimate.
DAY SIX: DAY TBA FOR PRIVATE GROUP
ENTERING THE P'UREPECHA MESETA
This morning we will have breakfast early and check out of the casitas, destined for a traditional mask maker in Sevina, and an addictive textile market in the Pueblo Magico of Paracho. If you are interested in purchasing a guitar, please let us know ahead of time so we can make an appointment with one of the esteemed luthiers here.
After lunch, we will visit an award winning weaver in a nearby village, as she weaves shawls on a back-strap loom using traditional pre-Hispanic techniques.
From there, we will retreat to the city of Uruapan for our hotel to relax. The hotel features a heated pool, elegant restaurant and outdoor bar.
For those who want to visit the National Park of Uruapan, we are just steps away from the entrance. This park is a maze of cobblestone pathways, arched bridges and several water features that are powered by the spring-ged Cupatitzio river. It's a lush, sub-tropical environment with lots of picturesque scenery.
DAY SEVEN: DAY TBA FOR PRIVATE GROUP
WARP, WEFT & DESIGN
This morning we will have breakfast early before departing for the small village of Zacan. There is a wonderful church here with a painted ceiling - these churches make our region famous. Also in the church grounds, is a women's collective of finely embroidered dresses and blouses. I have included a photo of the inside of one blouse, so you can see how clean this work is. If you don't find the piece for you, the women here can also take your measurements and have something custom made for you (this is very affordable if you live in Mexico, as domestic postage is inexpensive).
DAY SEVEN: CONTINUED...
Not far down the road is another textile village called Angahuan. This town is more famed for being the jump-off village for those eager to hike to Paricutin volcano, or the Church of San Juan Parangaricutiro, which is partially submerged in Lava. (If anyone would prefer to visit the church today, rather than focus solely on textiles, please let us know ahead of time so we can make arrangements. We can drop you off here before we visit Zacan, the pick you up when we return to Angahuan for lunch. One of the guides will go with you. Please contact me for more information about mobility requirements).
We will have lunch with our friends in Angahuan, to enjoy a hearty and traditional P'urepecha meal. This family of back-strap weavers work with both wool and cotton, as the temperatures here vary from very hot to quite cold in winter months. The wool is also perfect for the rainy season, as it keeps the damp away. One of the women will do a weaving demonstration for us, and most likely, so will little Santita, who just started weaving in September after she turned 9. It is so heartwarming to see children eager to learn their traditional art forms, and we are happy to encourage her to keep improving her skills!
DAY SEVEN: CONTINUED...
After lunch in Angahuan, we will move to the village of San Felipe de los Herreros, where we will visit a family of embroidery artists. The textiles here are museum quality, taking anywhere from 6 weeks to 9 months to complete a project. The technique employed here is called "Deshilados," which means "unravelling." There are some weavers who use rods between weft threads to create a loose weave, also known by the same name, but the deshilados here are much more intricate and time consuming to achieve.
The artist begins by cutting weft threads from cotton, creating a grid of holes (pictured above). The grid is then embroidered, usually with the same colour thread as the material, creating a lace-like texture. These exquisite pieces win awards in regional and national competitions, and are collected by international textile lovers.
If you are interested in attempting a small project, please let us know when you confirm your tour. We will ask the family to prepare you a small napkin-sized piece that you can try. You may not master the technique in an hour, but you can always take the project home to keep working on it. We are not organizing a workshop unless everyone would like to do this, as it is a more intricate art form that may only truly appeal to avid embroidery artists.
We will return to Uruapan on time for dinner.
DAY EIGHT: DAY TBA FOR PRIVATE GROUP
WHERE THE DEVIL IS CRAFTED FROM CLAY
This morning we will have breakfast early to depart Uruapan by 8:30 AM. We are bound for a small village where artisans use coil technique to sculpt the large clay vessels that are beloved across Mexico - and here is your chance to order directly. (We have actually brought a few of these home in the van strapped into empty seats, but space will dictate whether or not we need to arrange a delivery to San Miguel de Allende).
From there, we will move to the village of Ocumicho, where artisans create whimsical and irreverent sculptures from clay. With many pieces featuring devils and mermaids, the work here is quite hysterical, especially when you see a Nativity scene on the back of an elephant, or Axalotl (pictured above), or mermaids seated as guests at The Last Supper. The artisans here will have large and small scale pieces for sale.
Our last stop is in the village of San Jose de Gracia, where we will have lunch with a family of ceramicists well known for their vividly glazed pineapple vessels. Originally, these began as pinecones, but through misinterpretatio by many collectors, they evolved into pineapples. We will learn about the process and browse through their collection of work.
Following lunch, we depart the Meseta for San Miguel de Allende. We are aiming to have everyone home by around 6:30 PM.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
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Pueblo Magico Santa Clara del Cobre
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Pueblo Magico Paracho de Verduzco
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Pueblo Magico Tzintzuntzan
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Pueblo Magico Patzcuaro
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6 Pottery Studios
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3 Embroidery Studios
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2 Weaving Studios
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1 Fine Painting Studios
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1 Mask Carver
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Copper Galleries
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Art Workshops
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Cooking Class Option
This trip departs from San Miguel de Allende
If you are flying here from out of the region, please consider the Queretaro or Leon airports. It is also possible to fly through Mexico City with a 3.5 hour commute by bus, or into Guadalajara, which is about 4 hours away by bus. If you happen to live in Morelia, Patzcuaro or surrounding area, please contact me as your guides are from this area. We can make arrangements to pick you up and bring you home.
We recommend arriving early and leaving late if it's your first time....
If you are coming from outside of this region, we highly recommend arriving early or leaving late. San Miguel de Allende is a rich and luxurious city with glorious colours abound, fabulous restaurants, high end galleries, cobblestone streets, romantic views and a stunning historical centre. It's hard not to fall in love...
QUESTIONS?
Please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer if you have any questions or would like to schedule this tour at a different time for a private group.
Email: coppermoontravels@protonmail.com
WhatsApp: +52 443 639 2782 (Please text first)
