Enriqueta Martinez

Enriqueta has always liked to work with her hands. She stays active throughout the year by doing many different activities, embroidery being one of her favorite pastimes. Most of her embroidery, also know as "bordado" in Spanish, is brightly colored and usually has a floral pattern. On some of her pieces she crochets the border of the napkin by pushing through the fabric to connect the threads. Traditionally, these napkins, or "servilletas" are used to cover food like tortillas or for cleaning up the kitchen. She said people today who get them from Mexico only use them for decoration but are really meant to be used for more utilitarian purposes. Originally from Guerrero, Mexico she has been in Lincoln a little over twenty years. Her partner travels to Mexico once a year and picks her up more patterns and thread that are only found in Mexico. She is always working on a few embroidered pieces at once and is eager to show others how to make them. The art form is rich in tradition and is past down from generation to generation. Enriqueta said her mother taught her and she would someday like teach her two daughters. She also likes to make shoulder bags for friends and family. These bags are made by tying many knots close together to make a pattern. It doesn't take her very long to make these great napkins or bags, about three weeks. In the summer, Enriqueta is busy working outside at Community Crops where she plants and sells vegetables at Farmer's Markets.