THE FOUNDERS
CASA MARICRUZ was founded in 2021 by María Estrada, Antón Álvarez, and Álvaro Santos as a cultural movement dedicated to preserving traditional Spanish craftsmanship, redefining Spanish identity and heritage while challenging mass production and consumerism.
María Estrada is a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in the cultural sector. After working for various Spanish media outlets, she moved to Los Angeles in 2014, where she delved into craftsmanship with the brand Pomelo Casa. In 2020, she returned to Spain to co-found Casa Maricruz, which she describes as a craft activism movement that strives to halt the decline of traditional craftsmanship and preserve it for future generations.
Antón Álvarez, known artistically as C. Tangana, is a highly regarded Spanish musician with an extensive international career. His strong connection to traditional Spanish culture, showcased in his latest album "El Madrileño," aligns perfectly with Casa Maricruz's vision. Through a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements, Álvarez emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional culture while embracing modernity.
Álvaro Santos is a Spanish filmmaker with vast experience in audiovisual production. He has served as a creative director at the international agency KPB and is currently one of the co-founders of the production company Little Spain, which underscores the significance of traditional culture in contemporary contexts.
TRADITION & CONTEMPORANEITY
CASA MARICRUZ is a craft activism project deeply intertwined with the cultural identity of Spain, acting as a bridge between new generations and a national network of traditional artisans who strive to preserve their traditional practices in a market overwhelmed by mass production. We champion craftsmanship not only as an aesthetic choice but as a way of life, an ethical stance, and a response to many of today’s most pressing challenges.
Every piece we create engages in a dialogue between tradition and modernity, reimagining Spanish identity while standing firm against the fast-paced, disposable nature of today’s world. Our pieces are crafted from materials sourced directly from the earth, and one day, when they have fulfilled their purpose, they will return to it—just as the objects of our ancestors did.
At our CASA, we offer a timeless collection of handmade ceramics, glassware, wood, candles, and linens. We preserve what our artisans have perfected over centuries, while rethinking designs and twisting patterns, shapes, colors, and finishes to adapt them for the contemporary home. Every piece is created for daily use, because objects are happiest when fulfilling their mission in everyday life. These pieces are meant to be cherished and passed down through generations, embodying the magic of local craftsmanship and the essence of Spanish heritage, because in the end, the future is handmade.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at CASA MARICRUZ, because there is nothing more sustainable than what has been sustained over time—regenerating within society and the earth, and returning to both.
Since humanity first discovered the power of the opposable thumb, craftsmanship has been a vital part of our evolution. Our ancestors shaped the world around them, creating objects that served both function and purpose, contributing to the shaping of our identity, our roots, our traditions, and even our ethics.
Nothing is more respectful of the planet than what is locally born from hands that have inherited the wisdom of their forebears. These hands, carrying the knowledge of entire communities, craft objects that are made to last and, when their purpose is fulfilled, return to the earth—completing a cycle as old as time itself.
ABOUT SOME OF OUR PROJECTS
