Originally posted by wilderone
I heard that tourism to Mata Ortiz is way down because of general anti-travel hubbub. Also, the pottery "on the streets" is where you'll find the
potters inviting you inside their homes to see their ollas. There are over 200 potters there - at least 1/4th are noted, "collectible" potters.
Unless you know the houses of the particular potters you want to buy from, then see as much as you can, and make your selections accordingly. Many
potters display their work in a central place, such as Juan Quezada's old house and studio, or in the back section of the grocery store, but most of
the premiere potters sell out of their homes. You can buy excellent pots for $20 or less for smaller ones; and thousands of dollars on others. Mata
Ortiz pottery is some of the best in the world - collected by the Japanese who are also some of the best potters in the world (I would argue that
Koreans have better pottery than the Japanese). But part of the experience of buyng pottery in Mata Ortiz is the manner of purchasing from the
potters in their homes - where, if you're lucky, you can also see how it is fired or see them working on painting, or some other stage of creation.
You will soon see (and become hooked) on the varieties of pottery and want one of each - black on black, classic Mimbres style brownware, white clay,
newer designs with green or blue paint, stylized animals, etc. Many potters have their signature style. You can get a good overview of what is
available on eBay. Maybe even see an artist those work appeals to you, and once in town, ask where he/she lives. If you spend the night in Mata
Ortiz, you'll have even more of an opportunity to ask about individual potters that you learn about. And please take a walk down the street, across
the dry river channel to Porvenir. Many excellent potters live here. If you get serious about the ollas, Juan Quezada's brother and sister, daughter
and a nephew make very excllent pots and live in Nuevo Casas Grandes. And of coure, there are many shops between Casas Grandes and Mata Ortiz which
sell the pottery, including the museum. But the thrill of going to Mata Ortiz is meeting with the potters. Yeah, I was hooked once - I have 45 pots.
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Have a great time, and enjoy the cool, clean air at the top of the mountains. I was there in the winter, and while
El Fuerte was warm, Creel was cold/under snow. 
