Milagros- Get one for your Sweetheart for Valentines:)

Milagros (also known as an ex-voto or dijes) are religious folk charms that are traditionally used for healing purposes and as votive offerings in Mexico, the southern United States, other areas of Latin America, as well as parts of the Iberian peninsula. They are frequently attached to altars, shrines, and sacred objects found in places of worship, and they are often purchased in churches, cathedrals or from street vendors.

Milagros come in a variety of shapes and dimensions and are fabricated from many different materials, depending on local customs. For example, they might be nearly flat or fully three dimensional; and they can be constructed from gold, silver, tin, lead, wood, bone, or wax. In Spanish, the word milagro literally means miracle or surprise.

History of the Milagro

The use of milagros is a folk custom in parts of North, Central, and South America, and it is claimed that the custom is traceable to ancient Iberians who inhabited the coastal regions of Spain. The use of milagros accompanied the Spanish as they arrived in Central and South America. Although the custom is not as prevalent as it once was, the use of milagros or ex-votos continues to be a part of folk culture throughout rural areas of Spain—particularly Andalusia, Catalonia and Majorca.

As part of a religious ritual or an act of devotion, milagros can be offered to a symbol of a saint as a reminder of a petitioner's particular need, or in gratitude for a prayer answered. They are used to assist in focusing attention towards a specific ailment, based on the type of charm used. Milagro symbolism is not universal; a milagro of a body part, such as a leg, might be used as part of a prayer or vow for the improvement of a leg; or it might refer to a concept such as travel. Similarly, a heart might represent ideas as diverse as a heart condition, a romance, or any number of other interpretations. Milagros are also carried for protection and good luck.

Many designs available:) Order online by February 7th for Valentines Delivery at www.meztizadesigns.com

Meztiza Designs

People often ask me about my business name and wonder what it means. So here is my explanation:

Technically a Mestiza is a woman of mixed racial ancestry, especially of mixed European and Native American ancestry.

Mestizo is a term traditionally used in Latin America for people of mixed European and Amerindian heritage or descent. The term originated as a racial category in the Casta system that was in use during the Spanish empire's control of their American colonies, it was used to describe those who had one European-born parent and one who was member of an indigenous American population. In the Casta system mestizos had fewer rights than European born persons called "Peninsular", and "Criollos" who were persons born in the new world of two European born parents, but more rights than "Indios" and "Negros". During the colonial period, mestizos quickly became the majority group in most of Latin America and when the colonies started achieving independence from Spain, the mestizo group often became dominant. In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico, the concept of the "mestizo" became central to the formation of a new independent identity that was neither wholly Spanish nor wholly indigenous and the word mestizo acquired its current meaning of mixed cultural heritage rather than racial descent. (Wikipedia)

Yes- I am Mestiza. I come from European and indigenous blood lines. So that is part of it. When I think of being Mestiza I think of being mixed and I think that is part of what makes life beautiful and interesting. Coming from those two different backgrounds strongly influences my work in color, theme, and design. In addition my work is comprised of mixed media in the form of silver, glass, and stones. I get the pleasure of celebrating who I am creating collages of self adornment. So in short, for me it means the best of all worlds mixed into one:)

2010...only 5 months late:)

I decided that one of my goals for 2010 was to start a blog. So five month's later I am doing it. Here you will get a peek into my journey in life through my art, motherhood, and friendships. It will be a bit free form, since I have never been very good at being perfect:) Never the less, I hope you will be inspired to create something beautiful in your life or at the very least that it will make you smile.