Israel, his wife Liliana Sánchez Mateos, and their children collaborate to produce a great variety of delicate decorative pieces and toys made of dried flowers (“flores inmortales”). Few artisans continue in this type of folk art. Indeed a concerted effort was necessary to find this family, whose craftsmanship is impeccable and guaranteed for five years.
Huge placards of religious images, such as the Virgins of Soledad and Juquila are mounted on the walls on their patio, while others bearing the name of specific pueblos are secured in large baskets to be carried on the heads of pueblo women participating in a procession. “Muñecas” bearing regional costumes are adorned with accessories, striking poses such as those of dances of the “Guelaguetza” (an annual indigenous dance festival), the “Jarabe Mixteco” and “Danza de la Pluma.” The Cornelio family typically enters some of their pieces in contests of celebratory folk art held around the Night of the Radishes, taking place just before Christmas.
