Las Manos Magicas

I loved this store. Pure love. But when I drove to go there this past week, the house was no longer a store. Not only that, it was on stilts like the whole house had been jacked up off the foundation for serious repair or they were going to roll the house somewhere else. I think it’s gone :(and they had the best talavera pottery variety of anyplace I’ve ever been in. I was so ready to do hardcore Christmas shopping but it wasn’t too be. Instead it was like having a spear pierce my heart *wipes a tear*

This is a pretty great place– very Austin-​y and if you’re looking for quirky Mexican folk art, look no further than Los Manos Magicas! They have great Day of the Dead stuff and I found a bunch of great katrinas (little scenes played out w/​skeleton figurines) featuring little pole dancers, peeping toms, and the like. Man, our culture just doesn’t have anything comparable to Dia de los Muertos. Pretty unfortunate, really.
Sadly, one of the guys who works there told me that they’re closing in February (or thereabouts), so if you’re wanting to check this place out, now is the time to do it!

All I saw when I was passing by was the art on the porch at first, so I decided to take a look. When I found out it was a shop, I had to go in. The clothing and art, wearable or for décor, were beautiful but what I really enjoyed was the lengthy conversation about travel and insects and whatever else I had with the people who worked there. Very nice dudes, very cool day of the dead art and items, botanica-​chic. This store is what I expected Austin to offer me when I moved here, honestly.

This is a place you really shouldn’t miss — just as the review below says, they have great trinkets and small items that are genuinely different.

The sagging front porch crowded with beautiful Mexican pottery and creaky wooden floors is just the beginning of this stroll through Mexican and Latino culture.
Sure, the former home on the corner of South First and Live Oak is showing it’s age, but somehow it just adds to the charm of Los Manos Magicas.
Everything from jewelry to folk art to religious icons can be found crammed into this little shop owned by a husband and wife team. Looking for Mexican party flags? Looking for light switch covers in bright and vivid colors? Looking for Dia de los Muertos stuff? This place is it.
Please come and visit this little shop — I promise you won’t be disappointed!

No matter what, Mexican folk arts and crafts sold north of the border will always be overpriced. But if you seriously don’t have the time or means to drive down to Mexico and get it right from the source, then go to Las Manos Magicas. They also carry items from Central and South America.
What I like about Las Manos Magicas is that most of the merchandise is under $ 100. You don’t feel overwhelmed by the exotic prices in there. You can buy charms, worry dolls, and even the original uncensored version of La Loteria for a few bucks. They also have a back room well stocked with an awesome variety of tiles for your kitchen remodeling project, or even if you just want to replace the ugly, brass numbers by your front door.
Get your hands on a trinket or two from Las Manos Magicas.