“Sugar and Spice” and everything nice …

Kate Abbott and Yazmin Aguirre Rivera

With a name like Sugar and Spice Bakery – we just had to stop at their booth during the Artist Fair in the Square on Isla Mujeres.  Yum!  Katie Abbott and Yazmin Aguirre Rivera had stacks of cupcakes in every colour, flavour, and style.  

I really wanted one of each variety; but taking photographs while eating icing-slathered cupcakes was a recipe for disaster.  Although photos shot through a smeared camera lens might have created an interesting effect; an ethereal soft-focus with a finger-licking-good taste.

One of the early Artist Showcases outside Barlito's

This colourful affair is the brainchild of Tiffany Yenawine Wareing and Brad Wareing.  It started modestly a couple of years ago, setup outside the Barlito’s Bakery on Hidalgo Avenue.  During the high season Tiffany invited a variety of local and visiting artists to sell their jewelry creations, or paintings, or photographs on the first Thursday of every month.  

Alison Sawyer Current - multi-talented artist

Eventually the municipality told Tiffany that she needed a permit for the successful art show.  She replied: “No problem.  What do we do to get a permit?  And by the way, why don’t you give us a hand with this?  We’ll make it bigger and better.”   After a few meetings, negotiating back and forth, the municipality joined Barlito’s Bakery as a sponsor, along with Fayne’s Bar, and Soul de Isla.  The improved event has been relocated to the square in centro.

As we roamed around the fair greeting various island friends we recognized familiar faces.  Always smiling, Alison Sawyer Current was there selling her books in support of the Isla Animals Society.

Damien Lemee - Droldoizo.com

Alison is better known as The Dog Lady, as she works tirelessly to improve the general health and well-being of local and mainland pooches.  Alison is a multi-talented artist.  Besides organizing spay and neuter clinics, and rabies inoculations, she writes books and makes beautiful pottery.  

When I think of Alison, I think of an old quote by Lucille Ball:  “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do the more you can do.”  That is Alison!

In other areas of the fair, we enjoyed seeing the other artists’ handiwork.  Damien Lemée from Montreal Canada dangled his quirky tropical birds created from recycled vehicle tires.  A few of our friends have his whimsical creations hanging in their homes, and on patios.  

Isla Beading Co-operative

Across the square from Damien, the Isla Women’s Beading Co-operative had a great selection of items for sale, all patiently made by hand.  I can hardly see the tiny glass beads, never mind actually stringing them into intricate creations.  Nearby, Eileen Regn showcased her sea glass and sea heart jewelry collection, while Gladys Galdamez and Gunther Hepner had a variety of clothing and jewelry to sell including earrings made from colourful feathers.  

Glady Galdamez & Gunther Hepner

The feathers were donated by their two pets: Codie and Rosa.  (Do the birds get an extra ration of treats for dropping such gorgeous feathers?) 

There were many more contributors – but Lawrie and I spent a bit too much time socializing. By the time I realized that I hadn’t seen everything the light had changed, making clear photos difficult.  Ah well, there is always next month! 

Check out their FaceBook page for more details: Isla Mujeres Artist Fair

Eileen Regn with sea heart and sea glass jewelry

Hasta Luego          
Lynda and Lawrie

Celebrating the Patron Saint of Isla Mujeres

Cowboys, bull fights, church services, baptisms, feasting and parades starting November 29^th and lasting into the first week of December; this year we finally have an inkling of what it all means.  It’s the Feast of the Virgin of Immaculate Conception.  

This is an important celebration throughout Latin America, but doubly important to Isleños as she is also the patron saint of the island.

Recently we were chatting with an island acquaintance, Jorge, and he tried to give us a sense of what this event means to local people.  

Beautiful horses and thirsty cowboys

Every village, city, town has its own patron saint who people hope will watch over them and their families throughout the year, bringing good health and prosperity to everyone.  Local people offer prayers, food or gifts to the patron saint hoping to attract her good-will. This is also the time of year when many children are baptized, or confirmed into the Catholic Church.  It is also the start of a six-week-long celebration that includes The Feast of our Lady Guadalupe on December 12th, Posadas Navideñas December 16^th to 29th, Noche Buena December 24^th, Christmas December 25th, and ending in January with the Night of the Kings on January 6th. 

And in the northwestern parts of Mexico where the drug cartels are very powerful they have their own patron saint of thieves and drug dealers – San Malverde.  Sporting a thick black moustache, neckerchief and pistol belt, San Malverde does not look like a typical saint.  (I think his name translates to Bad-Green, perhaps a reference to money?)  Although he is not recognized by the Catholic Church his festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm on May 3^rd in Sinaloa.  His popularity among drug lords is so widespread his followers have built chapels and shrines in his honor near the Mexico/US border. 

Presidente Hugo Sanchez - in front of 2011 parade

Personally, we enjoy the pageantry of our local saint with many island neighbours participating in the event.   I am always amazed how quickly the year rolls past us.  It just seems like last week I was snapping photos of the 2011 Feast of the Virgin of Immaculate Conception parade complete with island Presidente Hugo Sanchez riding with the cowboys.  And here we are again in early December and the celebration of the Feast of the Virgin of Immaculate Conception. 

                               _______________________

Esto y lo Otro:

Locally Gladys Galdamez and Susan Stowell have teamed up with other creative people to open a new retail outlet: Esto y lo Otro, which Goggle translates as That and the Other.  But, I am guessing it means something closer to This and That.  

You can find them in the Plaza Isla Mujeres between Juarez and Hidalgo Avenues, in behind Fredy’s Restaurante.  

Take a few extra minutes to browse through the beautiful jewelry creations by Todd Pierce.  Pretty cool stuff!  

I saw Ashley Blogins checking out a particularly beautiful piece made with turquoise stones. 

And one final note:

Tonight at Barlito’s on Isla Mujeres Kay Cole showcased her first novel, Lonesome Knob.  

It is a novel loosely based on her life growing up “at the end of a dusty road on a remote and desolate West Texas farm known as Lonesome Knob.”  

I bought a copy and plan to read it tonight.  Best wishes Kay for much success with your book.