Enriqueta Cenobio Calixto is a master of crafting exquisite miniature embroidery in the Mazahua tradition. She has been awarded the Gran Premio de Arte Popular, one of the main awards granted in Mexico, several times. Enriqueta is from a Mazahua village in the State of Mexico and is part of one of the last families in Mexico that produce the Mazahua miniature embroidery. She learned embroidery from her mother, Dulce, when she was just nine years old. She was so interested in it, that while she cared for the animals in the pasture, she embroidered miniature designs on her shawl.
Mazahua embroidery is characterized by the simultaneous use of two needles, each working with distinct shades of thread, typically black paired with red or blue, embodying the essence of Mazahua style. These intricate patterns are crafted without any preliminary drawings on the fabric; instead, threads are meticulously counted to ensure precision and even spacing. A notable aspect of Mazahua embroidery is the decorative stay stitching, the fabric edging.
The Mazahua people, the largest indigenous group residing between the State of Mexico and Michoacán, derive their name from the Nahuatl language, meaning "people of the deer." This sacred animal often inspires their designs which are deeply rooted in family heritage, passed down through generations. Common motifs include symmetrical horizontal bands, birds, flowers, and the distinctive eight-pointed stars known as Mazahua stars. These intricate patterns are crafted without preliminary sketches
Making just one pair of embroidered earrings can take several days.