The Artisans

MEET THE ARTISANS

The artists featured in the gallery of Rustica Gift & Pottery are singular talents, and we are proud to have the honor of featuring their work in our collections.

MEXICO:  LA CORONA TALAVERA  AND SANTA ROSA

Talavera la Corona was founded by an established maestro of Talavera whose pioneering artistry has won international awards and recognition.  

Our other select studio, Mayolica Santa Rosa, is pioneering in another, equally important way; as a female-founded and operated business, Santa Rosa provides inspiration, leadership and a uniquely Renaissance touch to the art they create.

Both studios, however, capture the centuries-old tradition of beautiful design, quality workmanship and rich color which is the hallmark of every piece of certified authentic Talavera or Mayolica pottery piece. 

La Corona Talavera Maestro 

Cayetano Corona Gaspariano

Leading the industry in design and revival of ancient craft

Some artisans produce pottery; others create legend. So it is with every piece of La Corona Talavera, designed by hand under the watchful eye of studio founder and Talavera Maestro Cayetano Corona Gaspariano. 

Designated one of the Grand Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano, Don Gaspariano’s studio is the only one in the region to have earned Mexico’s prestigious, Denominación de Origen de la Talavera, awarded to only nine studios in the world in recognition of quality, use of indigenous materials and classic designs true to its 16^th century heritage.

Every piece you purchase is hand-created, featuring original artisan painting, and using indigenous, natural clays and mineral pigments, and has gone through many steps to ensure craftsmanship, quality and a lifetime of beauty.  

To hold a piece of La Corona Talavera is to hold history, and an item lovingly crafted by generations of artisans in the birthplace of this beautiful tradition.  It is durable, lead-free, dish-washer safe, and signed by the studio artisan.

Mayolica Santa Rosa's Maria del Carmen Aguilera Salazar

Excellence, Creativity & Business Inspiration in Women-Owned Enterprise

With over 45 years of experience, and spanning three generations of family, Mayolica Santa Rosa is a pioneering example of women-driven artistry in the field of fine pottery creation.   Continuing the work of Santa Rosa and her mother, Maria del Carmen Aguilera Salazar today uses her artistry, rigorous training and business savvy to continue the work of her forebears.

The Santa Rosa artisans use local minerals to create their richly-beautiful paints and glazes, and every step is looked over by Maria Salazar, the founder’s granddaughter, to ensure the quality, tradition and the family’s pride in craftsmanship are evident in every piece.

In their village studio, a small group of artisans work to turn the region’s rich clay into beautiful, hand-crafted pieces of pottery. 

Their wish is to produce useful but lovely heirlooms to beautify spaces and emphasizing Mexican daily life, culture, and traditions.  You'll see a richly-evocative look and feel to every piece, yet they are practical, and meant to be enjoyed on your table and in your home.    

Colonial Mexico:  Pewter & Alpaca Silver Artisans

Our roster of artisans also includes beautiful contemporary and traditional pewter pieces from the Salazar family’s JB Diseno pewter foundry, located in San Miguel de Allende.  Each piece is finished by hand and is lightweight, durable and beautiful.

We are also very proud to offer a limited collection of artisan craft from Ruth Cortez-Hernandez, an extraordinary creator of hand-tooled Alpaca silver treasure, jewelry and trinket boxes.

GREECE:  MINOAN POTTERY & DINNERWARE

 ePalladio Studio's Founder and Sculptor, Noufris Papatzanakis and family 

Bringing the Beauty, History and Durability of the Ancient Minoan Culture of the island of Crete, Greece  

 Noufris applies his many years as an acclaimed sculptor to his work in bringing the pottery and daily rhythms of the ancient Minoans to life. 

With his wife Lotte and their children the Papatzanakis family re-creates the everyday pottery and tableware used by these long-ago residents of Greece's island of Crete. 

They are dedicated to the artistry and history of these beautiful, ancient yet stunningly contemporary designs.  Glazes, designs, even the clay used is locally-sourced and faithful to the original Minoan culture. 

Of special note is the unique three-triangle "pyramind" studio mark hand-embossed on every piece of Minoan pottery from the ePalladio Studio. 

The symbol of  triangles in a pyramid has a personal and very strong dynamic for the Papatzanakis.

It represents the members of their family and th pyramid is a symbol of strength and endurance. 

We are honored and delighted to bring these one-of-a-kind usable art pieces to you. 

Every piece is hand thrown and glazed - and infused with the magic of the beautiful Greek island, Crete.

NORTH AMERICA: NATURAL, HANDMADE ARTISAN SOAPS

Terri's Studio Brings Quality, Handcraft and All-Natural Ingredients to Every Bar of Soap   

Terri's soap-making studio in Southern California is dedicated to creating eco-friendly, vegan, hand-made soaps, using the highest-quality organic ingredients. 

Small bath production, hands-on quality control and a commitment to no harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances and the best quality ingredients available mean every bar of from Rustica's signature collection of hand-crafted soaps is a sublimely sudsing experience.