On a return trip to Alamos, I was introduced to Jose Luis Figueroa Martinez. While visiting what I thought to be his outdoor workshop, I realized his humble unfinished adobe brick home was attached to this rustic, tin roofed workspace. Jose Luis is an extraordinary craftsman of elegant ironwork, but was in desperate need of a new arc welder. I could see by his expression that he did not have the financial capability to make the investment needed, and without the proper equipment, he would be unable to support his wife Blanca, and their three beautiful children. With a bit of a language barrier, mi Español no es muy bueno ( my Spanish is not very good ), I managed to convey to him that my company Native Imports would be honored to buy him a new arc welder. Since we had just met, my offer brought astonishment to his face, and with a few shared tears of joy, a firm handshake, and two broad smiles on our faces, we became hermanos de por vida ( brothers for life ). The encouragement he received from our gift prompted him to form an artisan's cooperative in Alamos - "Artesanos Amigos de Alamos". Working together, these gifted artisans are combining their individual skills to produce beautiful custom made furniture and home décor. Native Imports is providing material funding and marketing venues for their new creative works.

The first works of Jose Luis ever to leave his home town in Mexico can now be admired, and are available for purchase on our web site and in our boutique retail store in downtown Ashland, Oregon.

Return To Artisans