Choose your craft. The region of Oaxaca is renowned for many crafts, among them woven rugs, hand-painted animals, black pottery, green pottery, brown pottery, ceramic figures, weaving, works in hammered tin, folkloric dance costumes, embroidered blouses, and leather work.
Select a village. In Oaxaca, one person often originates a craft item that gains some notoriety. The individual teaches the tradition to family members, friends and neighbors. Others begin to work in the medium as well. Soon, entire villages are given over to the particular craft. Different families create diverse permutations of the form.
Determine a mode of transport. The Oaxacan valley is extremely accessible, though buses to certain remote villages may be less frequent on Sunday or after nightfall. In general, if there is a popular craft in a village, there is a bus that goes there. Second class buses are an adventure. Others hire collective taxis to take them to the villages, These are special taxis that have designated routes and pack in a party of five before embarking. Tour operators in the town center offer itineraries to various villages, but they will only take you to selected vendors. You can also hire a driver or rent a car.
Bring a map and a sense of adventure! Oaxaca's villages are a world away from the city center. An artisan's studio is typically his home and quite possibly his farm as well. He may turn on a single bulb for you to peruse his five wares, or he may tell you a gallery or tour group just passed through and bought him out. In any case, the villages are small and compact. It is easy to walk along the streets and see signs welcoming visitors to view the wares.
Chat with the artists. Many artists are proud of their work and the fact that it garners international interest. They are typically happy to share secrets of their processes and the story behind their work. Some artists, such as the rug weavers of Teotitlan del Valle, will do a live demonstration of their craft. If you are looking for a particular item, don't hesitate to ask if there is something else available.
Plan your spending. If you blow all your money on the inventory at the first spot you see, you may regret it when you discover what others have on offer. Many of these small Oaxaca villages have no bank. You'll have to bring cash to the village in order to buy things.
Stop for lunch. Ask for recommendations or see if there's a group of people around a stall in the village center. You'll get a broader perspective of the village and might find an interesting market.
