For many of us an ideal vacation involves not only traveling somewhere new, but also the opportunity to immerse ourselves in making. Stephanie Echeveste recently visited Oaxaca, Mexico to take a series of craft workshops. Here she describes the experience and provides information if you’d like to book a similar crafty trip of your own.
Oaxaca, Mexico has been at the top of my list as a craft destination for a while and I recently made my dream come true. Last fall I spent two months attending workshops in both Oaxaca City and Teotitlán del Valle in embroidery, weaving, and natural dyeing.
Embroidery Workshop at Miku Meko
This course was three days long and covered over 21 embroidery stitches, with a focus on using them for modern, abstract embroidery designs. I really enjoyed meeting other artists and creatives at this space and would highly recommend any workshop hosted by Miku Meko.
- Location: Oaxaca City, Oaxaca
- Hours: 9 hours (3 hours for 3 days)
- Price: $38 USD
- Size: Group, ~6 students
- Language: Spanish
How to Book: Miku Meko hosts various courses throughout the year with local and guest teachers, so it’s best to check their Facebook page to see what is currently available.
Natural Dye Workshop with Teñido a Mano
This workshop took place at the home studio of Elsa, owner of Teñido a Mano. Her studio features a terrace with views of Oaxaca City. Elsa taught me how to dye a range of colors with all-natural ingredients, including indigo, cochineal, pericón, brazilwood, and pomegranate shells. We dyed samples, not full batches, of wool yarn, which made it very manageable and easy to understand.
At the end of the workshop, we wrote out each recipe so I could repeat the process on my own. I loved spending time in her home studio and recommend this workshop, especially if you want to stay in Oaxaca city.
- Location: Oaxaca City, Oaxaca
- Hours: 10 hours (5 hours for 2 days)
- Price: $200 USD, cash preferred
- Size: Private Class
- Language: English or Spanish
How to Book: Email Elsa at tenidoamano(a)gmail.com
Weaving Workshop with Fé y Lola
Led by master weaver Federico Chavez, the workshop covers beginning to advanced weaving.
Federico taught me how to use the loom and patiently helped me weave my own design. I was able to select from their gorgeous natural dyed yarns for my palette and weave in their home studio.
Federico would let me weave alone at my own pace until I got to a new section or needed help, which helped me practice and perfect the technique. In the background, the local village radio played and roosters crowed.
I am very happy with my final tapestry, which I finished in four days. I highly recommend this workshop if you are a weaver and want to try something new or experience a new environment.
- Location: Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca
- Hours: 20 hours (5 hours for 4 days)
- Price: $400 USD, cash preferred
- Size: Private Class
- Language: English or Spanish, but Spanish makes it easier
How to Book: Email Elsa at tenidoamano(a)gmail.com
Natural Dye Workshop with Porfirio Gutiérrez Family
In this workshop, we dyed large loads of wool and created a whole rainbow of colors using all-natural items, including roots, plants, fruits, cochineal, indigo, pericón, and moss. We did various dips of the indigo dye bath and also made greens, yellows, blues, cream, orange, red, purple, and maroon.
I was impressed by the skill of Juana Gutiérrez Contreras, who runs the household and the dye studio. Juana explained each process and how to dye, which includes creating a mordant for some dyes, creating baths, and washing the wool at the end. It was hard work and gave us a glimpse of what it takes to create enough naturally-dyed wool to supply for a whole family business. At the end, we got the full recipes for each color and dye samples.
I really enjoyed this workshop and hope I can return for a weaving workshop, which they also offer.
- Location: Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca
- Hours: 4 Days
- Price: $680 USD – $2500 USD Prices vary depending on workshop and length of stay, pay via PayPal
- Size: Two-person class with homestay
- Language: Spanish, English assistance available
How to Book: Visit Porfirio Gutierrez Family website and inquire about your desired workshop and date for prices and availability
Hi there! I’m traveling to Oaxaca in a couple of weeks and very interested in attaneding a workshop/class but don’t have the luxury of multiple days. Do you have any recommendations on where to look for a single day/couple of hours class? Thank you!!
Hi Ashley! I’d definitely check out Miku Meko’s Facebook page to see if they happen to have a workshop the days you are in Oaxaca. You can also email Elsa (email above) to see if she is available for a half day workshop. I’d also check out Qué Pasa Oaxaca (http://www.quepasaoaxaca.com/) and the Textile Museum (http://www.museotextildeoaxaca.org.mx/). If you’re interested in cooking, check out Casa Crespo’s half day cooking class. I took it the first time I went to Oaxaca and it was wonderful (http://www.cookingclassesinoaxaca.com/class-options/).
Hi Stephanie, I just found your website while looking for information to do workshops in Oaxaca! I was wondering if it’s easy to meet people while traveling there and attending workshops, because I am planning to go by myself. I plan to go in March for 2-3 weeks. Thanks so much for all the info, it’s very useful and I’ll use your recommendations to plan my trip for sure!!
Hi Marie-Eve, It is very easy to meet people there. I’m actually putting together a craft retreat next spring (http://distillcreative.com/oaxaca-craft-retreat — though likely in April). I suggest planning a few things ahead of time and then give yourself time to explore and meet people. Speaking Spanish definitely helps.
If you are interested in ceramics, I’d check out Colectivo 1050 as they often have workshops. I also highly suggest the cooking workshop I shared above. http://1050grados.com/
I met people by walking around and through the flat I was staying at, which I found through friends/collaborators. There’s also a co-working space I used (though it’s mostly ex-pats so not so helpful to meet locals) that I’d recommend called Convivio (https://www.convivio.com.mx/coworking/).
Honestly though, even if you go with no plan you’ll probably find tons to do. There’s always a lot going on and flyers everywhere for creative workshops.
Hi Stephanie, thanks so so much for your answer 😉 Do you have any place to recommend to stay in Oaxaca and Teotitlan Del Valle? I’d like to have a place with my own bedroom yet not to expensive. P.s.: I just wrote to Elsa. I am planning to do the cooking workshop you recommend as well.
Stephanie, any advice on booking flights? I am going to be at Pocoapoco Dec. 16-21 and I am trying to figure out if I should stay until after Christmas because of chaotic airports or go a little early instead and return to the US
on the 22nd. How did you travel? Many thanks.
Hi Jan, If you have a chance to stay through Christmas and you really work it and make some friends, I’d suggest staying as I’m sure you’ll have an amazing experience. Where are you flying to and from? I usually fly direct to Mexico City (Southwest has pretty reasonable flights Houston to Mexico City and from some other place direct) then I get a cheap flight from Mexico City to Oaxaca via Volaris or AeroMexico. It really depends where you are coming from. Oaxaca airport is very small and chill, but I’ve never flown in and out around Christmas so not sure how busy it gets. I flown DC-Mexico City-Oaxaca and also done layovers in Guadalajara to get from Oaxaca to Phoenix (where I had to get to for the holidays!).
Thanks so much, Stephanie! With your encouragement, I have booked everything in Oaxaca through Dec. 27 and I am so excited!
Hi Stephanie
I’m wanting to do some
Weaving – I have contacted the email listed – do you know of any other weaving classes (private or group) in case they don’t
Respond
Many thanks
Andrea
Hi Andrea, Porfirio Gutierrez also does weaving workshops, as do many other families in Oaxaca. https://www.weavingoaxaca.com/ Also, I just launched the Oaxaca Weaving + Mezcal Retreat I’ll be leading (we’re partnering with the Gutierrez family) 8/28 – 9/2 if you are interested! https://distillcreative.com/oaxaca-weaving-retreat-2019
I would like to register for the weaving class but the email address listed above is not valid:
tenidoamano(a)gmail.com