5 ways to support Mexican Artisans from Oaxaca
If you are reading this, it means that you know about the Oaxaca people and their crafts and would like to do more to help them. Thank you for that. The truth is that these Mexican artisans are often low-income people that are looking to support their families through their art. So it is always nice to encounter people who see this and want to help them more.
If you are one of these persons, we give you some ideas on how you can help Oaxaca artisans, their families, and their local businesses.
Always choose the crafted version of things
When you walk through the streets of Oaxaca, you will most likely run into a lot of stands and tianguis (local markets). The offer is large and diverse, so it is easy to buy the cheaper option. Our recommendation here is to pay attention and search for the crafted version of things, whether it is a decoration piece, a rug, or even a beverage. Try not to buy the mass-produced products and always opt for the things that look more crafted. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to discover this.
Donate directly to non-profits
Maybe the easiest way to help Oaxacan artisans is through direct donations. You can visit the websites of some of the nonprofits in Oaxaca, like Procasahogar del Niño A.C., the Oaxacan Community Foundation, Ceiba (environmental), or CANICA (for homeless kids) to name a few.
Spread the word about Oaxaca
If you visited Oaxaca recently, spread the word! Don’t stop at sharing your beautiful pictures on Instagram, and really talk about all the different crafts you discovered there. They say that sharing is caring, so maybe you can bring home some gifts such as purses, alebrijes, or rugs so your friends and family can see firsthand what Oaxacan crafts are all about.
Look for brands with social impact
If you don’t have a trip to Oaxaca scheduled soon don’t even worry about it. You can order some of the artisan's handcrafted products online. Just make sure the brand you’re buying from is a business with social impact, like us! Here at Azul Mejicano, besides selling products and supporting Oaxacan women, we also support different charities. Right now we are supporting the Rotary Club with their breast cancer initiative.
Don’t ever bargain
We get it, bargaining is the most common thing to do when walking through a city’s market. But we truly believe that when it comes to hand-crafted products, bargaining shouldn’t be an option. The work men and women put into their art is amazing, and it should be recognized by paying the price they chose to give you, it is a way of saying: “I respect you and your work”.
There you have it! If you know another way of supporting Oaxacan artisans please let us know!
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