From Guatemala our newest additions ~ colorful hand painted wooden chickens and peacocks are packed with color and personality.
Pretty Little Accents
April 23rd, 2010
Guatemalan Hand Embroidered Pillows
April 13th, 2010These beautiful 100% cotton hand-embroidered pillows made by the Guatemalan Highlands artisans, shape through their colorful simplicity, the Mayan legacy of respect for all living creatures, butterflies, chicken, ducks, maize. They represent the worship for the sun and the maize. Three groups of artisans were involved in the confection of the pillows, the women weavers of Panajachel who did the embroidery, the young weavers of San Antonio Palopó who did the back panels on foot looms. Both villages are near the beautiful Lake Atitlán. Finally, a group of seemstresses in Guatemala City who did the confection of the pillows.
From Claudia’s Corner: The color of the year for 2010 is turquoise
April 13th, 2010
Try Our Hot Chili Peppers
April 8th, 2010Our new colorful ceramic chili peppers have arrived! Very excited to have our newest items from Mexico arrive just in time for some fresh spring looks. We have 2 sizes in our chili peppers and we also have some wonderful rustic ceramic hanging pots. Stay tuned for lots more to come…
Recipes
March 16th, 2010
Guacamole
2 large ripe avocados
Grated rind and juice of ½ lime
Juice of ½ a lemon
Red onion, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
1 garlic close- peeled and finely chopped
A few drops of hot sauce
Salt and pepper- to taste
Cilantro leaves chopped (about a tablespoon)
1 chopped medium tomato
Cut avocados in half, remove pits, and spoon out the flesh from the skin, discard the pit and the skins. Combine the chopped avocado in a bowl and add the lime juice and rind, lemon juice, chopped red onions, and chopped garlic. Mix well with a fork. If you prefer a creamier consistency you can use a blender or mixer. Add the salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste. Add the chopped tomatoes and garnish with a sprig of coriander or cilantro. Chill for 20 minutes and serve.
Completion of “the world’s largest ceramic tile mural”
March 4th, 2010Featured Artisans
February 23rd, 2010La Chamba pottery is made from black clay and found in central Colombia near the Magdalena River. The craft has been handed out down from generation to generation for over 700 years. The cookware is not glazed but burnished. Each piece is coated with fine red clay after it’s made. This red clay is then rubbed with natural stones. After firing the red hot pieces are covered with rice husks and smoked. This part of the process is what changes the color from red to black. Small imperfections in the finish and flecks of minerals (mica) in the clay are due to the handmade process. The mica gives the cookware the ability to heat evenly and not crack under temperature changes. There are no toxins used in the production of this dinnerware and the clay is also lead free.
La Chamba dinnerware is perfect from the stove to the table. It is suitable for the oven or stovetop (with electric stoves we recommend a heat diffuser on the stove top- it is not necessary with gas stoves) and microwave.
We strongly recommend that you allow the pottery to cool completely before putting the pieces from the oven/stovetop into the refrigerator. La Chamba should also be washed without use of abrasive cleansers.
The pottery is ideal for use with many traditional Spanish recipes. Serve your paella in our La Chamba Baking Dish with Handles. Or cook up and serve your favorite beans in our La Chamba Round Server with Lid. Toss up a vegetable salad or serve nacho chips in our La Chamba Large Salad or Serving Bowl. The pieces are so versatile you’re sure to find many uses for the various serving pieces.
Used and recommend by many chefs and featured on the Rachael Ray show. La Chamba has a traditional feel yet a look that goes well with just about any modern day décor.
