NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. An exquisite work of textile craftsmanship rich in muted reds and autumn colors interspersed with a intriguing matrix of crosses and abstract shapes. This rug is hand-loomed by Gregorio Ruiz in southern Mexico. The family's workshop is located in the highlands of Oaxaca, where the weaving tradition goes back to pre-Hispanic times. Ruiz and his family practice the textile craft with devotion and exceptional care to detail and use the traditional organic dyes to achieve the exceptional color patterns. An evocative piece of textile art, perfect to adorn the home with warmth and beauty. Cruces means "Crosses" in Spanish. Artisan Info: "Hola! My name is Gregorio Ruiz Lopez and I learned my craft when I was a boy. I remember how my grandmother would take me to the village where the sheep were. There they were sheared and we'd bring home wool to work with. First we'd wash it with asmole, a plant that releases a lot of foam and cuts the grease. We'd leave it in the sun, beating it with rods of yagalan, a very strong wood from the trees in the region. This was lots of fun, and it serves to soften the wool so that we can separate the fibers. And so, without even knowing it, we worked while playing from the time we were children in a very important part of processing wool. "Then my grandmother
