COPAL
Mexican Folk Art at its best Online

Hello and Welcome!

This site is about Mexican folk art but is also about my family and our business and the town that has seen me grown. How can that be? Stay along and find out...

Copal, Mexican Folk Art at its Best Online has three main sections:
The online store, a comprehensive guide about our nation's folk art and a San Jose del Cabo insightful guide.

Below you will find brief explanations about these sections and links to see them. Please browse our Top Nav Bar where you can access any page in our site or click on the pictures on the right side menu to see highlighted pages.

Copal Online Store
For over 20 years, we've proudly promoted and sold the best of Mexican folk art; first at our brick and mortar store located in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico and now at this website.

We've had the opportunity to journey across The Deep Mexico encountering authentic folk artists that introduced us in their artwork and its creation process sharing with us the history and the stories behind their craft and honoring us with their friendship.

At Copal Online Store, we guarantee our customers' complete satisfaction featuring high-end authentic items at reasonable prices in a relaxed and pleasant online shopping atmosphere.

Papier Mache Decorative Butterflies

Mexican Folk Art Guide
There are few countries in the world with such deep and diverse culture as Mexico. Our nation's folk art is a perfect example of this cultural abundance.

The Mexican Folk Art Guide section of our site was created to share with our visitors the information we have been blessed and fortunate to learn firsthand over the years.

Mexican folk art styles are described including history, cultural background, making process and celebrated artists.

Special themes, like Day of the Dead, portray the culture and traditions that are behind the artistic expressions that are called Mexican Folk Art.

We know there is no end to this job, and that's one of the reasons we love it dearly.

Black Clay from Oaxaca

San Jose del Cabo Insights
For 25, years, San Jose del Cabo in Baja Sur Mexico has been the place we call home, our family grew bigger in here, adding grandchildren to the bunch.

We first visited before all the tourist boom began; we are fortunate to have known the small villages before they became the world-class tourist destination called Los Cabos. We settled in San Jose because its charm and natural beauty captivated us at first sight.

San Jose del Cabo is part of our family and business background and by adding this section to our site we want to lead our valued visitors through a path that will help them understand and appreciate in a more insightful way our beloved town.

San Jose del Cabo Insights features engaging, relevant and accurate information about San Jose, its history, amenities and natural beauties.

San Jose del Cabo Estuary

As you can see there is a lot more to be done, please visit us often or...

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We sure hope you enjoy visiting this site as much as we do making it.

Gracias, see you around...

The Copal Team.

Testimonials: testimonials lovely things people wrote about Copal
Copal Vip Customer: Copal Vip Customer
Paper Cempasuchil: Paper Cempasuchil are a good replacement when the natural flowers are not available. The Cempasuchil known as Flower of the Dead is one of the most traditional flowers during the Day of the Dead Celebrations...
Paper Dahlias: These artisanal paper dahlias are handmade by Eduardo Dieguez Jasso in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Available in 12 different colors a bunch of paper dahlias will decorate and bright up any space...
Paper Roses: These artisanal paper roses are handcrafted with crepe paper by Eduardo Dieguez Jasso in La Paz, Baja California Sur. The paper roses come in 12 different colors..
Paper Sunflowers: These artisanal paper sunflowers made in La Paz, Baja California Sur by Eduardo Dieguez Jasso are perfect to bright up any room of the house, an office or even a summer wedding...
Assorted Paper Flowers: The assorted paper flowers bunch can be made mixing artisanal sunflowers, dahlias and roses handcrafted in crepe paper by Eduardo Dieguez Flores from La Paz, Baja California Sur.
The Adelita and Son Skeletons: The Adelita and son skeletons sculpture is a handmade and hand painted sculpture by Mario Moreno with a wire structure covered with papier mache.
The Emiliano Zapata Skeleton: The Emiliano Zapata skeleton sculpture is a handmade and hand painted sculpture by Mario Moreno with a wire structure covered with papier mache.
The Tree of Knowledge Skull: The Tree of Knowledge Skull is a wired structured and papier mache, also known as alambroide, handmade and hand painted by Mario Moreno.
The Deer Hunting Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents the Deer Hunting Story.
The Delgadina Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents the Delgadina Story.
The Good and Evil Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents the Good and Evil Story.
The Jaripeo Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents the Jaripeo Story.
The Jesus Ascencion Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents the Jesus Ascencion Story.
The Last Supper Story: In this drawing Cristino represents The Last Supper Story.
The Mezcala Livestock Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents the Mezcala Livestock Story.
The Nativity Scene Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents the Nativity Scene Story.
An Old Lady Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents an Old Lady Story.
The Snake Fright Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents the Snake Fright Story.
The Emiliano Zapata Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents the Emiliano Zapata Story.
The Samson Story: In this drawing Cristino Flores Medina represents the Samson Story.
Decorative Butterflies: These papier mache decorative butterflies are handmade and hand painted by a Mayan family in Izamal, Yucatan...
Mayan Hand Woven Hammocks: Mayan Hand Woven Hammocks available for sale in three different sizes and many colors
Sermel Cow: The Sermel cow was handmade and hand painted in Tonala, Jalisco by Sermel papier mache. Cute, peaceful and as beautiful as a real cow.
Sermel Dolls: Sermel Dolls are made of papier mache. Colorful and beautifully decorated with birds and flowers they were handmade and hand painted in Tonala, Jalisco. The triangular skirt dolls are among the most popular pieces made by Sermel workshop.
Sermel Duck: The Sermel duck is beautiful and straightforward just as a real duck; when you look at him you are waiting for him to quack. Handmade and hand painted in Tonala, Jalisco by Sermel Papier Mache.
Sermel Eggs: One of the most traditional and best know items from the workshop, the Sermel eggs came with their hand forged iron stands. The Sermel eggs were made of papier mache, hand molded and hand painted, featuring scenes of deer, birds and rabbit on the woods.
Sermel Elephants: Sermel elephants belong to a series of animal figures that are more natural and in which the workshop demonstrates its domain of the papier mache and painting techniques. These Sermel representations are fierce and magnificent as the real pachyderms.
Sermel Frogs: Sermel frogs are green, with big eyes and about to jump, just as any one would expect them to be. Handmade and hand painted by Sermel workshop.
Sermel Hippo and Rhino: They are scary, big and aggressive yet captivating and attractive. The Sermel Hippo and Rhino set seems just natural. A more realistic approach by Sermel the animals in this set are wonderfully sculpted and painted.
Sermel Horses: Delicate, perfectly sculpted and beautifully painted, papier mache Sermel horses represent everything the workshop is recognized for. Handmade and hand painted in Tonala
Sermel Leopards: Sermel leopards are wonderfully sculpted and carefully painted just as any other piece made by the workshop. Sermel successfully captures the soul of this playful, curios and yet dangerous felines.
Sermel Lions: The majesty and fierceness of these Sermel Lions certainly remind us of the king of the animals...
Sermel Mushrooms: Original and whimsical the papier mache Sermel mushrooms feature traditional Tonala's painting style with deer, birds and rabbits on the woods. They are handmade and hand painted like every piece made by Sermel.
Sermel Nativity Scene: Sermel Nativity Scene is handmade of papier mache and delicately painted in Tonala Jalisco. The Crèche features Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and Baby Jesus with His crib...
Sermel Owls: These birds symbolize wisdom in many cultures and the papier mache Sermel owls sure look clever. They were handmade and hand painted in Tonala Jalisco.
Sermel Peacock: The Sermel peacock is resting on a branch, magnificent and colorful. The beautiful and delicate painting details the beauty of the real bird.
Sermel Tigers: Sermel tigers are wonderfully sculpted in different positions and in different sizes. The ferocity and beauty of these felines makes them just as charming as the real ones.
Nahuatl Painting: The Nahuatl painting from the Balsas River basin in Guerrero State is one of the most appreciated and well-known folk painting styles in Mexico...
Black Clay from Oaxaca: Black Clay from Oaxaca famous for its color, sheen and unique shapes and decorative designs is made in small village called San Bartolo Coyotepec
Multicolored Clay from Izucar de Matamoros: Multicolored clay made in Izucar de Matamoros, Puebla is best known for its tree of life candelabra and incense burners decorated with fine lines that almost look like filigree. Other pieces made in the area with the same decorative style include skulls ornate with flowers and animals, whimsical skeletons performing different actions and assorted candlesticks.
Painted Clay: Painted Clay from Guerrero. Animals, boxes and plates painted in bold colors by Nahuatl speaking artists from the Rio Balsas Basin with colorful birds, flowers and landscapes.
Pantaleon Panduro and his Pottery Legacy: Pantaleon Panduro was born in Tlaquepaque Jalisco on July 26th 1847. Gifted with an amazing talent to sculpt clay; he created human figurines and busts with extreme realism. Pantaleon never received any formal instruction but his natural talent granted him with international recognition.
Mexican Tree of Life: Mexican tree of life is the name given to a hand coiled pottery sculpture depicting the biblical tree of life; traditionally the tree sculpture would include Adam and Eve with the tempting Serpent but the themes have evolved and today is common to find trees about various subjects such as Day of the Dead and Folk Art.
Coconut masks: Coconut masks known in Spanish as Mascaras de Coco are whimsical and colorful faces, animals, suns and mermaids made of a coconut shell half by Nahuatl artists who live in the Mezcala region along the Balsas River Basin in Guerrero State.
Mexican Ironwood Carvings: Mexican ironwood carvings are made in the states of Sonora and Baja California from the tree desert ironwood (Olneya Tesota) known in the area as palo fierro. The craft was originally developed by the Seris, an indigenous group of the Sonora State.
Mexican Masks: Modern Mexican masks can be grouped in two categories: traditional masks used in celebration and ceremonial dances and decorative masks made for aesthetic purposes and usually bought by collectors or foreign tourists.
Oaxacan Wood Carvings: Oaxacan wood carvings, known in Spanish as monos de madera or alebrijes de Oaxaca have been around for a little more than 60 years. Manuel Jimenez a peasant from San Antonio Arrazola is the creator of this tradition.
Jesus Sosa Calvo: Description: Jesus Sosa Calvo is a wood carver from San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca known for his fine carving and delicate painting. His motifs include cats, dogs, angels, skeletons and devils.
Amate Paper Paintings: The Amate paper paintings are a folk art style that combines the paper crafting from San Pablito in Puebla and the painting from The Mezcala region on the Rio Balsas Basin in Guerrero.
Mexican Paper Flowers: Mexican Paper flowers are a very popular craft , made to decorate churches, day of the dead altars, tombs and celebrations such as weddings and quinceañeras, usually made with tissue and crepe paper.
Cristino Flores Medina: Cristino Flores Medina (1937-2007) Cristino Flores was a pioneer in amate paper painting, he began painting on brown amate colorful scenes and landscapes but soon developed a personal style.
Papel Picado: : Papel Picado is a string of tissue paper flags chiseled with different patterns and used to decorate buildings, Day of the Dead altars and streets during secular and religious celebrations in Mexico.
Paper Filigree: Paper filigree or quilling is a paper craft that consists in rolling thin strips of paper with the help of a needle point tool to form basic shapes that are glued together creating all different kinds of figurines simulating the metal filigree.
Nicolas de Jesus: Nicolas de Jesus is an internationally acclaimed engraver and painter from Ameyaltepec, a small village located in La Mezcala, a Nahuatl region on the Rio Balsas Basin in the Mexican State of Guerrero.
Saulo Moreno, Wire and Papier Mache Sculptures: Saulo Moreno Hernandez internationally known artist, created a style of his own with wire structured papier mache sculptures that he called alambroides. Vibrantly colored skeletons and animals that look alive thanks to the technique he wonderfully mastered are collectible pieces ...
Mario Moreno Contreras: Mario Moreno Contreras, son of internationally known artist Saulo Moreno was born in Tlalpujahua, Michoacan on September 15, 1989.
Papier Mache Butterflies: Papier mache butterflies are a unique folk art style created by a Mayan family from Izamal, Yucatan.
Sermel Papier Mache: Sermel is a papier mache workshop located in Tonala, Jalisco Mexico. Their style is bright and colorful and their pieces, especially animals, are painted with the traditional designs that have characterized Tonala's crafts.
Judas Burning in Mexico: La quema de Judas or The Judas burning in Mexico is a celebration held in Sabado de Gloria, Holy Saturday. Papier mache devils symbolizing Judas Iscariot stuffed with fireworks are exploded in Local Plazas in front of cheerful spectators.
Alebrijes: Alebrijes are imaginary creatures that have elements from different animals such as dragon bodies, bat wings, wolf teeth and dog eyes.
Mayan Hammocks: The authentic Mayan hammocks are hand woven in Yucatan, Mexico using cotton or nylon thread.
Zapotec Rugs: Zapotec rugs are made of wool in Teotitlan del Valle in Oaxaca State. The town has pre-Hispanic weaving tradition and its world famous for his fine tapestries woven with Zapotec patterns.
Tzotzil Wool Animals: Wool animals are made in San Juan Chamula, Chiapas by Tzotzil women. Colorful and joyful the hand crafted animals that express the soul of their makers have quickly become a favorite among Mexican folk art lovers.
Patzcuaro gold outlined lacquerware: Patzcuaro gold outlined lacquerware is the name given to a piece of wood or a gourd lacquered either with traditional varnishes or industrial lacquers and decorated with painted flowers, birds and butterflies outlined in 23.5 k gold...
Miguel Pineda: Miguel Pineda is a Mexican enamellist internationally known for his artistic high quality enamel pieces. Especially appreciated are his reproductions of Mayan and Aztec gods and his Catholic images.
Day of the Dead History: Day of the Dead history in Mexico is traced back to pre-Hispanic days although the celebration as we know it today has little to do with the festivals held by native cultures.
Day of the Dead Flowers: Day of the Dead flowers is the name given to flowers used during the Day of the Dead Celebrations. Among these flowers are the Cempasuchil, the Terciopelo, the Gladiolus and the Alhelis.
Day of the Dead Bread: Day of the dead bread is prepared all around Mexico in the last days of October and the first days of November and is used in the altars or ofrendas (offerings) set in Day of the dead.
Day of the Dead art: Day of the Dead art are all the folk art items made for this celebration or as a consequence of it.
Day of the Dead Altars: Day of the dead altars known as altares de muertos or ofrendas (offerings) are set during the Day of the Dead celebrations on November 1 and 2 to honor the dead children and adults.
Day of the Dead in Janitzio: Janitzio is a small island in Patzcuaro Lake in the southern state of Michoacan. The small town is world famous for its traditional Day of the Dead celebration.
Day of the Dead in Mixquic: For the people in Mixquic the preparation for day of the dead begins in the middle of October, cleaning their houses, painting the houses facades and sweeping the streets and the cemetery...
Sugar Skulls: Sugar skulls candies are used during the Day of the Dead celebrations as funny treats and in some areas as ornaments and sweet offerings on the altars prepared to honor and welcome the souls of the dead.
Jose Guadalupe Posada: Jose Guadalupe Posada was a lithographer and print maker in Mexico's pre-Revolution times; he is best known for the creation of La Catrina, the skeleton lady that became the image of death in Mexican culture and is considered by scholars the father of Mexican modern art.
La Catrina: La Catrina was originally created by Jose Guadalupe Posada and later named and painted dressed up by Diego Rivera in one of his murals. It became an iconic figure in Mexican culture representing death and the way Mexicans face it.
Calaveras or Day of the Dead Rhymes: The Calaveras or Day of the Dead rhymes are satirical verses published in the Day of the Dead by news papers and magazines.
The Pericues: The area known today as San Jose del Cabo was aboriginally inhabited by the Pericues. Their skull morphology and recent genetic studies led by Dr. Silvia Gonzalez sugest...
Hernan Cortes Expeditions: Hernan Cortes intended to explore for the Baja California peninsula as early as 1524 as it reads in his fourth Carta de Relacion to King Charles I of Spain, datelined Tenuxtitlan, New Spain, 15 October 1524. Hernan Cortes expeditions...
Origin of the name California: It is widely accepted that the origin of the name California is Garci Rodriguez's chivalric romance, Sergas de Esplandian a story about an island called California and its inhabitants the Calafias, black amazons that lived with no men and made their weapons with gold because there was no other metal on the island.
Pirates in San Jose Del Cabo: The so called Pirates in San Jose del Cabo were English and Dutch privateers that spent their time between Cabo San Lucas bay and San Jose's Estuary seeking for Spanish galleons to loot them.
San Jose del Cabo Church: San Jose del Cabo Church is located in the town´s Historic District. San Jose´s Church has been in that location since 1840. In 1918 its roof was destroyed by a hurricane and so it was remodeled to its actual look...
San Jose del Cabo Mijares Square: San Jose del Cabo Mijares Square located in the heart of the town´s Historic District is a gathering point for locals and tourists and hostess to cultural activities all year around...
San Jose del Cabo Casa de la Cultura.: San Jose del Cabo Casa de la Cultura or Arts Center is located in the back of Mijares square at Obregon St. The building used to be the priest's house and was the commander center of the American Army troops during the Mexican-Us war in 1846...
Jardin Cabenos Ilustres: The Jardin Cabenos Ilustres is located next to the fountains at Mijares Square. It was built to honor the illustrious people that dedicated or gave their life to make Los Cabos a better place...
San Jose del Cabo City Hall.: San Jose del Cabo City Hall is located at the end of Blvd. Mijares and Doblado St. The constriction of the building began in 1888 and it was finally inaugurated in october 1927. The Watch tower was finished in 1930...
San Jose del Cabo weather: San Jose del Cabo weather forecasts, climate conditions and tips about when to visit.
San Jose del Cabo Information: San Jose del Cabo Information includes basic facts about town such as population, time zone, typical food, traditional beverages, folk art and special holidays.
Contact us: Contact us
About Copal Store and the Agur Family: This page tells about Copal Store principles, foundation and history; featuring pictures of the last 21 years of the Agur's family business.
Mexican Folk Art Blog: Mexican Folk Art Blog keeps you up-to-date with all additions and changes to this site.
Copal Website Search: Copal Website Search is the place to look for that given page, particular word or specific folk art style you are looking for but can't find.

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