I was born in the weaving town of Teotitlan, so it was natural for me to in weaving on the traditional loom. Zapotec is my first language and I speak very little Spanish. My husband Alberto is another featured artist who specializes in Zapotec rugs and textiles.<br><br>My childhood was a happy one, growing up with parents who specialize in the <i>chicote,</i> or treadle loom, which was introduced in Oaxaca by Spanish religious orders during colonial times. What is unique about this loom is that it is completely built out of wood.<br><br>My parents taught me how to weave when I was 15 years old, and the first piece I worked on was a rebozo shawl, which I gave to my mom as a Mother's Day gift.<br><br>The fact that this is an art form we have inherited from our ancestors made me decide to preserve it by continuing to weave.<br><br>I work with virgin wool, which I dye with colors from natural plants and seeds, such as indigo for blue, cochineal for red and orange, and a flower we call <i>pericon</i> for yellow. I also use the marigold flower and for black, I use acacia thorns.<br><br>I've been weaving since the 1980s and, in 2002, I set up my own workshop where I specialize in shawls and bedspreads. The most challenging aspect of starting on my own was having a place where I could exhibit my creations. I don't speak Spanish very well, and I struggle understanding it, so there were moments when I felt exasperated by it all. However, this is something I've been overcoming little by little and, thanks to my husband and children, I now understand Spanish better.<br><br>Working with you means that now I have a place where I can display my work and, for that, I thank you.
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