Behind the Design

The Best of Both Worlds - Art Created from Recycled Copper

January 29, 2016

Copper vases instantly add warmth to any space they are displayed within. The handcrafted artisan copper vases offered for purchase are each individually hammered from a single piece of copper; no soldering, casting, or molds are used. Since they are each handmade, there are never two vases that are alike. Each is a true work of art.

Santa Clara del Cobre is where traditional copper working in Mexico survives in present day. There are at least 2,000 copper smiths working in over 300 workshops in the municipality. Most of the workshops in the town operate much as they did in the past, receiving various exemption from federal labor laws and tax breaks designed to preserve the craft. The workshops are still independent and family owned with different members in charge of the various tasks such as finance, production and sales. These workshops contain a wide variety of tools, many of which are created by the artisans themselves.

If you prefer an option where you can see what is inside your storage canisters, then brighten up your kitchen with our Colorful Glass Canisters from Mexico . Each canister is painstakingly hand-blown by glass artisans in a studio workshop so you are certain to enjoy all of the unique.

Thirty-two years ago Hugo Martinez Velazquez started working with copper under the apprenticeship of his father and older brother. Once his apprenticeship was completed he ventured out on his own, starting a small shop with his children that has won many awards and honors in copper handicrafts. The copper used in each finished vase is gathered and then melted down into large ingots. The ingots are then divided and hammered down into the shape of a pancake or "tejos". Using the tejos, artisans begin the heating and hammering process to shape the copper until the outer edges begin to rise up and resemble a bowl. The final step is the hammering process which provides the rich and warm metallic hue of the finished product.

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