Which craft villages near Oaxaca?
 

We are off for our first visit to Oaxaca in 10 days. I know there is info on the site about Oaxaca, but I would love some specific recommendations. In reading about the crafts, I think we would be most interested in the colorful wood carvinsg (I can't remember the name), black pottery and colorful rugs. What villages have you been to that you think are best for these? What market, outside of Oaxaca is the most interesting? For this, livestock is of interest as well. We don't necessarily need to buy things in the market - people watching is the big goal.

The craft towns aren't what they used to be as popoularity has grown. Prices have gone up and inventories are lower as professional buyers come through. Often times better quality can be had in Oaxaca City itself. That said, for anamalitos (wood carvings) I would go to Arrazola Xoxo. For pottery, although Coyotepec is famous for its black pottery, I would go to Atzompa for green pottery. Wander down the street to visit homes where it is made. Especially Dolores Porres who is world famous. For weaving- Teotitlan de Valle. Market I like best is Sunday market in Tlatcolula. Really, on a first trip you are going to enjoy just about any place you visit- have fun.

I agree with Dude. We actually ended up buying some black pottery several years ago in San Bartolo, but on this last trip (in March), we bought some really nice things right in Oaxaca. We got a beautiful cotton bedspread at a place that makes them in Oaxaca. What I liked was that it was a queen size whereas mostly what we saw elsewhere was king or double. We had some trouble finding the place, but it was worthwhile.

There was also a book that we read when we were in Oaxaca. It's written by someone who lives there, and had very good info on stores, restaurants, etc. I can't remember the name, but we saw it all over and they had a copy of it at our B&B.