Every Saturday, Belippe Elias San sits at the Merkado Sano in Miguel de Allende, his red baseball hat is unknown behind the layers of colorful woven rugs, and he is complete from the age of 15. Today, the complex designs of traditional calcarose and traditional calcarose and traditional calcaros are more than his craft; It is also about the lessons of patience and relying on others when the tragedy attacks.
Through the story of Belipebe, we are introduced to “Made in Mexico,” A new series beyond crafts to celebrate humans behind Mexico’s vibrant creative landscape. With the individual stories of painters, potters, wool weavers and more, we will examine the traditions, challenges and successes that these creators share their talent with the world, while protecting the rich artistic heritage of Mexico.
A craft that rooted in the tradition of San Miguel
He did not leave the elementary school in his own Chan Miguel, and Belippe did the odd construction work to help his family. Realizing that his son had a different ability, his father introduced a teenage pelipi to his good friend Kasimiro Amaro, a renowned 80 -year -old weaver in the San Miwal community, and he first taught the basics of weaving.
The Belippe monument, “This process is very old and manual,” describes what happens after cutting the wool goats – wipe it off the first strands and prepare them. “There, I learned the foundation of weaving such as how to fight the thread.”
Throughout his adult life, he moved between Benefbees workshops and teachers, each one challenged his talents and developed his love for art. He learned to make blankets with traditional woven dresses, tuscals he called Cortex.
Twelve years ago, he felt an invitation to start his own business.
“In a job, this is always the boss. I wanted to stand alone, but I did not help me doubt. I was always a little scared,” he says. “But in the end, I am still here. Thank you God.”
Over the next nine years, Belippe raised a business from his home that could retain his family 10. He wove up in three looms from 1-3 meters wide. Then, the lucky night of December 12, 2021 – The The day of the feast of our Lady of Quadalup – Everything has changed.
The night of the fire
“We were able to hear crackers, the joy of the celebration,” the Beleybek tells the story, and his tone becomes lazy. “One of my sons said, ‘Dad, get out. It will burn!’ We were going to sleep when we started shouting. “
A small shoe factory was on fire in the basement of his building, forcing more than 200 people to leave. None of the lives were lost, but Belippe lost its livelihood. He was forced to leave rugs, raw materials and his three looms, and did not mention the belongings of his family.
“Everything went downhill,” says Belippe, at that time, his eyes diminished. “We stood there. We were watching. We felt the heat and smoking. We couldn’t do anything.”
Along with their belongings, the independence that Belipet built to himself and his family has disappeared, and they are forced to trust others. A eldest son was taken to the family – Belippe, his wife, mother, his two younger children still live in the house, his brother and his brother’s family. Louis, a childhood friend and fellow weaver, made a blow, and herself offered pelipers so that he could go to work quickly.
“It was hard, but it was impatient that helped me very much,” he says, recalling that he learned from experience. “There are times when you are frustrated, but you have to breathe and count as 10. There is no meaning in distrust. If you have patience, things will be placed.”
New life, new designs
Even today, Belippe works at the home of his friend Louis, and he is also his business co -operative. Depending on the plan, they often weave together, using a loom that takes a full room at 4 meters or 13 feet wide, work that needs two people.
Gradually, Belippe is building a house for his family in the countryside near the place where his eldest son lives. If it has changed, they have welcomed the change of scenery.
“My wife loves it because the vision of the mountains is beautiful. It renews you,” he says about his new environment. “The place where we lived before was very small, but here, you are free. You see other borders.”
New scenery breathed a new life in the work of Pelipebe.
“When I walk in nature, it fills my mind. Cactus, especially inspires me,” he says, “Whenever he sees a significant image in nature, he takes its photo and sends it to his son, and then he creates a digital version and prints his dad’s specifications.
“I have preceded Barokvia – Celebrity Chan Miguel Church – Twice, “Felib shares with a proud smile.” That design takes a long time because I use the best wool to capture each detail. Some projects take a long time, but they are worth it. ”
Keratism
Pelipebe says that the number of workshops dedicated to the weaving of San is declining, with increasing material costs and the desire to profit from the younger generation.
“Wool, some people still buy it, but they want to pay very little for it. Considering the amount of work that goes to this process,” he says.
Belippe tried to protect the art by teaching how to weave his children, but they chose different paths – one in construction, another horticulture, for example.
For six years, Belippe taught weaving as a volunteer I hope that kidsSan Miguel Vijo is a non -profit, which provides classes after school for children in art, music and literacy. He believes that he makes a change in the life of the prospective descendants, twice a week, in every way, every way.
When he thinks of retirement in the future, Benefits looks at a weave school in San Miguel, a child, tourists or what he wants to do.
“For me, teaching was a beautiful experience,” says Belipebe. “When you teach from the heart and give you what you know, it feels even better.”
What is next to Belipe Juvenz
Belippe sells his works at possible places like Feria Article in San Miguel de Alende’s main square April 23-27 (9am to 9pm).
Between great exhibitions, every Saturday will show the fact that the Merkado Sano will show the truth Liprada On his side. There, when handing over business cards, he will show rugs, blankets, underwear and other designs. He does not have the knowledge of e-commerce to show his products online, but he wants to learn.
“What I want is weave, it is the way it engages in hands, eyes, minds, feet,” reflects when asked about the preferred part of the business. “My biggest priority is that the customer is happy. This makes me happy because they take a product I have done with my own hands.”
If you want to connect with Belippe and see his work, you can view his colorful wool at the heart of Mercado Sano on Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm or the main square or the main square. You can contact him via WhatsApp on +52 415-101-2075. Belippe welcomes the opportunity to learn e-commerce skills from someone who wants to teach him. He also creates a beautiful, designated designs. Simply send him a photo and he will work with you to survive your view!
Carla Barra is a Mexican-American writer, born and raised in Mexico. While working on her memorial, Carla writes Color across the lines Sapphire and works with the team on the annual behind San Miguel Writers Conference. You can find her on Instagram @Carlexploradora.
