In the western region of Oaxaca, about an hour from the Pacific coast, lies the quiet town of Pinotepa de Don Luis. Here, Sandra and Marcos Pérez García are raising their one-year-old daughter Damaris, surrounded by the deep cultural roots of the Mixtec people. Marcos, a native of Pinotepa, grew up immersed in the traditions of his family and community—traditions that center around craftsmanship and connection to the natural world.

At the heart of their art is the jícara fruit, a gourd native to the region is a staple in Mixtec daily life. Once dried, the hard shell of the Chas been used for generations for cups, bowls and decorations. The shell becomes a canvas for intricate carvings that echo the flora and fauna of the region—birds in flight, watchful owls, playful rabbits, and blooming flowers.

Since 2012, Sandy and Marcos have dedicated themselves traditional jícara art. What began as a small family project has grown into a meaningful livelihood—one that not only sustains their family, but also helps preserve a rich cultural legacy. Each piece they create is unique, blending traditional motifs with more modern geometric patterns.

The process is entirely manual and deeply intentional. First, the green outer skin of the jícarais removed, followed by the pulp inside—which they save and use as a natural dye for wool or as a traditional remedy for asthma. The shell is then cleaned, sun-dried, and prepped for design. Using small gouges and simple carving tools, Sandy and Marcos etch their designs into the surface.

Once carved, the jícara is cut into shapes and made into into earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, or cut in half for cups, bowls, and left whole for ornaments. No two pieces are alike. Each one tells a story—of heritage, of place, of imagination.

To support their art and share it beyond the borders of Oaxaca, Sandy has built a growing online presence through Facebook and Instagram. Selling their work online has allowed them to reach new customers while giving them more time to be together as a family—raising little Damaris in the same traditions that shaped them.

https://www.facebook.com/sandymar.jacobo

https://www.instagram.com/sandy.marjacobo/