Fit Guide

Irma Blanco has been creating pottery and perfecting her clay appliqué technique since the age of six. This unique pinning technique has been passed on from generation to generation and was started by her grandmother, Teodora Blanco, more than 70 years ago.

The process of making pottery includes two different types of clay, black and white. The black clay is laid in the sun to dry and then rinsed with water to wash out the rocks and impurities. Once the pieces are clean, they are left out in the sun to dry and can take anywhere from 15-30 days to completely dry depending on the size. After they are completely dry, the pieces are put in the oven for 8-10 hours and then set out to cool for 2-3 days.

Irma finds her inspiration from nature, stories, and mythical creatures. A few of Irma's favorite pieces include the mermaids, catrinas, virgins, and angels, and of course her embroidered vases. She has received numerous prizes and other recognitions for her work, we are honored to feature her for Hispanic Heritage Month.