How my Otomi passion became my new career.

I, Martha Aguilar, live in the border town of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico– 10 minutes away from California USA. I come from a family of artisans and folk art promoters. My father owned a “Taller” (craft studio) in Baja California, Mexico for about forty years. He was also an artisan himself, as well as my mother. Basically all of my family members (aunts, cousins, uncles, and grandparents) were artisans or owned a shop. I got involved in the Mexican (indigenous) folk art at a very young age because of the family business. I grew up with this passion for all handmade-craftsmanship “Hecho en Mexico” –Made in Mexico.
It was my mother’s wish that her two children go to the University. So we did. Before my mother passed away, she was able to see my brother become an architect. And she saw me graduating in Business with a major in Tourism and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. After obtaining my MBA, I decided to pursue a career in Marketing, working for International companies. For almost 15 years I worked as Marketing/Merchandising Manager for international companies based in Mexico and/or California. Most of them related to the furniture, housing, and retail industries. Unfortunately, last year I lost my job due to budget cuts, and while at first this seemed like a tragedy, later it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. One day while discussing my options with my father, he suggested I follow my dream of owning a business while promoting none other than handmade – folkart, which I have always been very passionate about!
Having a vast experience in Merchandising, Marketing, plus craftsmanship I knew it was a great idea. It was about a year ago when I decided to start an online business by selling the handmade items I loved the most. When I was a little girl, I heard so much about the Otomi people and their amazing art, that I decided to travel to the Sierra Madre, meet them and learn all about their unique embroidery techniques so I can either embroider my own clothing pieces, or use theirs to create beautiful things. A few weeks later, they were not only my inspiration but they became my business partners! Truly a marriage made in heaven! We needed each other so much, to survive the challenging times. When I traveled to La Sierra Madre (in Tenango de Doria, Hidalgo, Mexico) I fell in love with the Otomi traditions, their family values, and their passions. I met the “Tolentino” family almost by accident and it was instant chemistry! We had so much in common! We decided immediately to work together to start an online business and ArteOtomi on Etsy was born!
The Tolentino family would be the main artisans, starting with Angelica, our artist-painter. She is an award wining artist, she does all the drawings. Here talent and creativity are out of this world. Please click here, to see her drawing a "tenango" or otomi fabric.

My role would be as a fashion designer, Merchandiser (pricing, product selection, fabrics, colors), Marketer (online updates, sales promotions, events, customer service); Model, Photographer, Shipping Department person and Otomi Lamp upholsterer. So far, we LOVE IT! And we have truly helped each other survive this harsh economy.

Gracias,
Martha