About Studio Copalia

Curated pieces with culture and character.
Studio Copalia was started by two first‑generation Mexican American women—one trained in architectural design, the other leading textiles. We share a simple practice: learn the culture, respect the craft, tell the truth about what we know. Most of what you see here is curated; a small selection of textile/fabric pieces is made by us.

Why we started

We grew up around objects that carried stories—market finds, family pieces, museum visits. Studio Copalia is our way of studying culture in public: curating work that shows its making, sharing what we learn, and crediting sources when we can. (If you like the nerdy side, our blog covers art events we attend, cultural significance in design, museum notes, and more.)

What we curate

Cultural and regional craft with identifiable techniques or motifs

• Vintage and handmade objects with real patina (not distressed to look old)

• Contemporary pieces from independent makers who align with these values

We avoid sacred/restricted objects and anything that looks like cultural extraction. When details are uncertain, we say so—“attributed,” “in the style of,” “circa”—instead of guessing.

What we make (textiles)

Alongside curation, we’re building a small line of studio‑made textiles using recovered materials—mill ends, off‑cuts, deadstock, and especially trims manufacturers would otherwise trash. Our aim is a cradle‑to‑cradle mindset: keep materials in circulation, design for repair, and minimize waste from packaging to end‑of‑life.

We don’t claim any formal certification. We’re doing the work step by step—documenting materials, favoring reversible construction, and using recyclable or reused packing.

Condition, plainly

Age‑appropriate patina, hand‑made irregularities, and small surface marks often come with cultural/vintage work. We photograph and describe condition clearly. Want extra angles or a quick video? Email contact@studiocopalia.com, we’ll send it.

Read & learn with us

Check the blog for art events we attend, cultural lenses on design, museum visits, and deep‑dives on materials and techniques. If you spot something we should correct or explore, tell us—we’ll follow the thread.

Get in touch

Questions, provenance requests, sourcing help, or press: contact@studiocopalia.com
We ship primarily within the U.S.; international may be possible case‑by‑case.