Arts and Crafts In Puerto Vallarta

If you asked me if I’d be doing arts and crafts in Puerto Vallarta I would’ve told you you’re crazy, but it’s one of my most favorite things I did here!

I never really talk about souvenirs that I bring home. I always try to find something unique wherever we are, like the treasure-chest looking box from a souk in Tunisia, or the hand-crafted wooden sting ray from Bora Bora (since we swam with them), or the painted teacup from Thailand. I have a knack for haggling, and it’s a sickness, really, which is why while in Mexico I was so excited to head to the marina and bargain with the street vendors. Then I didn’t, which was a little disappointing, because I ended up not having to go far from the hotel for my perfect souvenir. Right off the beach was a vendor that, for $15 (I didn’t even haggle, because this guy is so awesome), provided a ceramic shell to paint (he has many shapes and sizes to choose from).

I spent the better part of the day watching the waves as I painted. The man who owns the shack is seriously amazing! He places paint colors in old beer caps, will mix any color you ask for, and is just overall the sweetest! He’s been doing this for years, and what’s so wonderful is he takes what you paint home, adds his own little artistic touches, and then glazes it. Then, you return to his shack the next day to pick it up. He even wraps it for you for safe transportation. Seriously, he’s wonderful.

There were ladies sitting and painting while I was there who come back every year to see him. They bring him brushes and supplies, he asks how their kids are doing, and it was so nice how he wouldn’t even take money from them for the items they painted!