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San Juan de Oriente Shopping

Submitted by catahoula_fan on Sat, 2006/08/12 - 23:30.
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San Juan de Oriente Shopping

This is the sight that greets visitors to San Juan de Oriente, one of the towns of Los Pueblos Blancos, and the ceramic capitol of the country. And while the brightly colored vases and bowls and chimes are very eye-catching, to find the best bargains head a little further into town.

If you follow the road into town as it jogs right then left, at the bottom of the hill you'll find Artesanias Anita on the left hand side. I've shopped at this place six times in the past two years, and the quality, workmanship and prices are all what I'm looking for in a great shopping experience.

The owners are always very friendly and willing to take a few cords off the final price, plus they always have a few things that can't be found elsewhere in town. I was very surprised to find soapstone sink basins from Limay today. Didn't need one, but they sure were pretty!

I did do some stocking up for my outdoor kitchen. Found soup bowls, serving platters and prep bowls, 14 pieces in all for only 560 cordobas (or $31.81). Contact info 558-0407 or cell at 864-6965. Happy shopping!

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Nice pic

Submitted by zenpilgrim on Sun, 2006/08/13 - 05:26.

I recognize that shop, thanks for the memory.

A question on the pottery. Is there a risk regarding the glaze used? Much of the pottery from Mexico and some other countries still uses glaze that contains lead and is not intended for use with food or in cooking. I have always just bought ornamanetal pieces for use as gifts back home but would love to use it as you do.

As our "expert in country" I thought I you might know.

Selected pieces only

Submitted by catahoula_fan on Sun, 2006/08/13 - 08:01.

The plates, bowls, etc are fired but not glazed, same as the casseroles I buy at Small Farmer on Carretera Sur. These are safe for food use.

Unglazed pieces simply need a few coats of oil rubbed in then dryed, sometimes I do this in the sun, sometimes in a 200 degree oven. It puts a thin coat on that makes cleaning that much easier.

This step must be repeated every couple of months, but it's worth it to have the more rustic pieces in my kitchen.

Thanks for the info! and follow-on questions

Submitted by BillAndJohn on Sun, 2006/08/13 - 09:30.

Thanks for this and other lovely photos!

We've wondered whether bowls and like pieces from San Juan de Oriente could be used for serving food, so this is very helpful. Do you use your pieces for liquid items like soup and cereal, or only relatively dry foods? Forgive my ignorance, but is glazing always obvious? I've read that the lead leaching risk from glazing is serious.

In addition to the shop you mentioned I'd also suggest Pro Mujeres, which is just a few yards down the street opposite the shops in your picture. Their ceramics are made by a number of different women in town, and are much less flashy than those out by the main road. Another artist, Gregorio (can't remember his last name), does animal-legged pots in the pre-Columbian style. His home/studio is on second road into SJDO coming from Catarina (your picture is of the first road) about two blocks in on the left. There are lots of other potters in town with various styles - the most interesting ones tend not to be right out at the main entrance to town.

Liquid

Submitted by catahoula_fan on Sun, 2006/08/13 - 13:45.

as well as dry goods are fine. The glazing will be apparent from any shine. Look for a matte or dull finish for items safe for foods.

Happy Shopping?

Submitted by Miskito Alan on Sun, 2006/08/13 - 03:35.

Now I know the reason that Roger had to move you to Nicaragua and get you out of Atlanta including the malls at "Lenox Square" & "Phipps Plaza".

Of course, I'm not referring to you; but, on the Atlantic Coast of Nica, women that love to shop are referred to as "high maintainence women".

Miskito Alan &#174

Boy, ain't that the truth!

Submitted by catahoula_fan on Sun, 2006/08/13 - 08:20.

But Lenox and Phipps, heck no! The Mall Of Georgia, only 25 minutes down the road, was my weakness. Click here to see all the neat stores at this mall http://www.simon.com/mall/directory.aspx?ID=208.

You could even be a NASCAR driver at this place! edited hereThe link to the site that shows this was too long...I hate when the screen gets stretched across. You can see it if you go to Directory under the above link, then Entertainment. It was so real to be in the car with a wrap around screen and cars flying past. 'Course I always crashed in the first few seconds!

And then there was Teavana, http://store.teavana.com/ Hundreds of teas...pure heaven for me!!!

Roger sure was glad to get me outa there. High maintenance...of course.

Dont listen to MA

Submitted by thom on Sun, 2006/08/13 - 05:05.

He goes a litle crazy with all that baked dirtware.

Shop til you drop!

i like it.....

Submitted by Che Guevara on Sun, 2006/08/13 - 08:27.

baked dirtware. i guess they don't make baked zincware.