The Folk Tree

I have gone to this store for years. Always loved the place even though it was completely overpriced. However, After reading the reviews today, I hadn’t know before this that the owner seems to knowingly be either copying other peoples work to sell in the store, or purchasing to sell from those who rip off other people’s art. When it is brought to your attention, telling off the artist in front of people is not what any of your patrons want to hear as your response. This tells us you absolutely KNOW you are stealing and have no ethics whatsoever, meaning you may have stolen work from others. Having recommended the store to a friend just yesterday, I had come here to Unilocal to leave a belated good review. Now that I have read the artist’s review and that of her friend and other patrons who witnessed the rude, cavalier attitude of the owner, I have changed my opinion completely. I will have to call my friend and retract the recommendation, tell her why and suggest she shop elsewhere. Also just my opinion, but I do not shop at stores that choose to steal artist’s work. Nor will I buy ripped off copies. You shouldn’t either.

the reviews about the fraudulent artworks for sale are alarming and will make me think twice about ever buying from here again. nevertheless, it is an inspiring place to visit and browse. i have always loved the shows in the back and the wide selection of jewelry and pottery. i agree that it is overpriced, but there are some real gems to be found. for instance, i love their selection of art books and could spend hours flipping through the rare books on textiles and ceramics.

If you can’t make it south of the Mexican border to do your shopping you can just go here and find a unique piece of art.

have been coming here for years… if I had a bigger house with more walls and more horizontal places… I would be buying more and more! Love the variety — I have memories of some of those items growing up. Walking thru the store I remember items from my abuelita to my mom… love this place…

This is one remarkable place. There are so many delights tucked into every nook and cranny, all of them rich in the lore and craftsmanship of Mexico and Central America. Rocky has owned and operated this shop for over thirty years and she’s knows her business. She is utterly connected to the culture and speaks with authority on the artisans and artists she represents in her storefront. The place is a jewel box of curios. There are cards, retablos, Day of the Dead Calacas and cuadros, nativity scenes, milagros, all kinds of lovely trinkets on which to lavish personal attention. And everything is so reasonably priced! Especially now that they are having a liquidation sale! Go. Stock up. And chat with Rocky to learn some of the local history. She’s a neighborhood legend.

Can’t give business to a store that has no regards or respect for independent artists. This could have been handled in a much more professional matter. What this incident tells me is that the bottom line is… money. So while some tienditas like this one don’t care, there are those out there that actually DO care. I’ll patronize the ones that practice good business ethics.

I am a fan and will continue to buy awesome art from this store probably forever. No joke, this place is exciting and soo unique. Go with a good amount of money, because I promise you will want to buy things!!! (the store is fairly priced)

This place is selling fraudulent merchandise DONT SHOP HERE…

I will not buy from a store that sells fraudulent merchandise and is arrogant enough to not care. I heard it with my own ears, owner to local artist: «you can’t do anything about it… you don’t like it? So sue me.»
We need to show that this type of blatant arrogance will not be tolerated! To any Unilocal readers: please do NOT shop at The Folk Tree until they change their ways and get over their egotism.
What The Folk Tree is doing is ILLEGAL, and they know it! They care more about a profit than their moral action. Shame.

I’ve been in this store a few times for gallery/​art shows and loved it. Today I went in to ask for help. I’m a local artist and I have found that someone has been taking my sculptures down to Mexico making molds of them, casting them in pewter then wholesaling them to Mexican Folk art stores like this one. A friend had been in the store the day before and found several knock offs of my work and I went in to ask the owner if she could tell me who sold them to her. My intentions were to stop the production and possibly work with the person copying them. To be honest they didn’t have to steal my art they could have asked and I would have worked with them and in fact I have other pieces that would look great cast in metal. Anyway I entered the store and asked to speak with the owner who happened to be seated behind the counter. When I introduced myself as a local artist she cut me off right away and said «I don’t talk to artists come back and talk to Gail» I explained that I was not trying to sell her anything that in fact I was hoping she could help me with some information. When I explained the situation she promptly said she had not seen anything like what I was describing and that they didn’t have anything like it in the store. My friend who I had come in with then approached us with several items they had there were knock offs of my work. At that time I asked again who they were purchased from and I was told they were purchased in Mexico and that there was nothing I could do about it. At that time one of her very nice employees said «no we buy those from that one lady who has all the daughters.» The owner then called him by name and told him to «stop talking and get back to work». I asked her to stop selling the copies of my art and she got angry and she would not and in fact would keep selling them. One of the other employees said «we have a small investment spent on those items and we are going to get our money back and unless you want to buy them all» I replied… fine. I’ll buy them all, how much did you pay for them? He refused to speak and when I told the owner it was against the law to sell counterfeits once informed of the fact she said «so sue me!» Many of you wont care about this and will continue to patronize stores like this. After all its not your art or your problem. But how many other artist have been and will be ripped off because people don’t care and wont speak out against it? If you care. avoid spending money here and by all means let them know you don’t approve of these types of business practices.
To quote a friend «When you have been told you accidentally bought „knock offs“ of a artists work it is your honor that is at stake! Refuse further shipments, ask to have merchandise on hand credited and return the pieces» I don’t think this is to much to ask for!!!
Thank you!

A really, really cool store in Pasadena. Great art and sculptures primarily focusing on the Dia de Los Muertos style, but I also got a really cool Ortega «stacking dogs» piece that is whimsical and unique. Prices are fairly high here, but a lot of work goes into each piece, so they seem justified. A fun store to look at, even if you don’t buy anything.

I went to see the Dia de los Muertos Art yesterday and was quite impressed with the amount of art presented. Moreover, the sales staff were quite knowledgeable about the regions where different styles of Mexican art came from. The book section also demonstrated a commitment to educating others about the art and artists around the world. I will definitely be back.

I just got home from there. I go every year to see the ofrendas for dia de los muertos. But don’t think there’s no reason to go at other times of the year.
There are exhibitions of Nacimientos/​Nativities during the christimas season, another one for Valentine’s day, Saints and Sinners for Pascuas/​Easter and they’ve added trunk shows for jewelers, book signings and other artist’s shows not tied into holidays.
This store has been one of my top ten go-​to stores for over 20 years.
In addition to pottery, oaxacan carvings, calacas, milagros, top quality mexican silver jewelry, afghanistani jewelry, contemporary jewelry, native american silver and turquoise jewelry, mexican black pottery, books, clothing, leather handbags, peruvian appliqué work, tin mirrors, small toys and oddities and religious medals there is a good selection of Frida things and now a large selection of Haitian oil drum metal pieces.
Yes previous posts have commented on prices are higher than what you would pay if you were in Mexico, Peru, or Haiti. Duh. How much would you save traveling to each place to purchase an item?
Please support your local, independent, unique merchants the next time you need to purchase a wonderful gift for someone or even yourself.

This store is a real gem. They do have pricey art items, although well worth the price, they also have a huge array of reasonably priced jewelry, art, and unique one of kind, hand made items. The staff is really great, helpful and laid back. I’ve seen some incredible art in the back room over many years (be sure to get on their mailing for upcoming shows throughout the year) and although I couldn’t afford most of it I was blown away by the selections. I rarely leave without at least a pair of earrings. Just bought a pretty groovy (uh oh… I’m showing age) hand beaded bracelet today. You always stay longer than you think you will so make sure you feed the parking meter because Pasadena’s parking swat team is brutal.

This place is probably the best little art joint in the land that is going on their 27^th year of doing Dia De Los Muertos exhibition of allowing folks to make traditional alters
When my uncle passed almost a decade ago, I was first really introduced to their Day of the dead alters, having knowledge of what they were and seeing them and all, but to actually have to do one for a family member who passed away had that special place in my heart as to the whole store.
They specialize in a lot of Latin American arts and crafts and they really do go out of their way to give you the most authentic stuff as well as displaying the really amazing cultural items.
Prices are a bit more than what I expected, but considering the area that it is in, it make sense. Besides, I can’t imagine that they’re rolling in it given what they are. So It’s alright in my books to support the local supporter of the arts.
But again, their day of the dead alters are something you should def. come out to see. They also have a lot of great shows and exhibits throughout the year.

I absolutely love the Folk Tree! It is one of my favorite places to get lost. I especially love the art installations in the back room. I can never leave there without some unique new piece to add to my collection. They are a bit on the pricey side but their selection is fantastic!

I like going to the Folktree in November & December. They have some exquisite Day of the Dead and xmas items. Lots Frida Khalo, Oaxacan black pottery, paper mache pieces from Mexico City and jewelry from Central America. A bit too pricey if you’ve visited the places where this stuff is made (still too expensive if they are charging you for shipping, taxes etc.). They have a huge mark up. If you are getting something giftwrapped make sure your parking meter has all the change from your ash tray. They take their sweet time.
If you have the time to search, you can find most of this stuff in Olvera street at more reasonable prices.

A Day of the Dead cornucopia of trinkets and trimmings. My son loves to look at the lucha masks and collects the tiny movable skeletons. I love it all. I could hang out in there for hours. You might have to in order to see everything she has. It’s wall to wall, floor to ceiling shopping here. The second shop closed that was down the street and I fear this lil shop might close if they don’t do more advertising. Help them out and go visit soon. You don’t see shops like this on every corner and it would be a shame to not take advantage. I go as often as I can.

Love it! A really high level of quality, and great variety of work from Mexico and Central America – much higher quality, I have a feeling, than if you visited those places and tried to shop on your own.
So enjoy your travels, and spend your time seeing things and doing things, but buy your beautiful objects here and get them home in one piece!
The Folk Tree also has fun shows throughout the year in the back room, so get on their mailing list.
Oh, and visit the Folk Tree Collection up the street for clothing and, especially, gifts. (And while you’re there, go out the back door to see what’s for sale/​on sale outside.)