By Jose Alfredo Gutierrez Falcon
Don José Arellano started working with wool when he was 15 years old. He went on to apprentice in five different workshops in San Miguel de Allende. The first of these was David Amaro Rugs and Blankets on Sollano Street. As he gained experience and his professional style developed, he started his own business under the name of Don Josh.
During his early years, José spent many lonely hours patiently learning to spin and dye wool. As the years passed, the secrets of the loom were revealed to him. Eventually, he moved on to weaving thread by thread until he created his first complete rug. He was then on his way to new artistic challenges and a successful career as a weaver.
His loom is sixty years old. José and his loom have become one as he has used his imagination to weave beautiful artistic rugs. As he has worked on his loom over the years, he has seen his children grow up and the arrival of his grandchildren. Jose, with his own artistic genius, has used this old wooden instrument as fine tool to ensure that his household always has the food and other necessities needed by the family. The hundreds of rugs made by José have been sold at various trade shows throughout Mexico. He has great memories of the many places he has visited. When we chatted with him in his workshop, he was already preparing his next trip. We wish even more success to this great tireless, craftsman.
