ABOUT THE JOURNEY
THE CO-OP BAJA is a studio & shop curated to highlight bespoke craftsmanship, predominantly of Mexico’s artisans. As a community we are explorers, rescue dog parents, surfers, amateur cooks, dreamers & doers. We weren’t all born in Baja Sur, but we found our best selves in this pueblo mágico nestled between desert and ocean, palm groves and the Sierra mountains.
Follow the journey…
Why We Began this Journey
In 2021, motivated by an unprecedented boom of building in Todos Santos, Pescadero and Cerritos Beach, we set out to design a home outfitting solution that emphasized the craftsmanship of bespoke artisans, predominantly in Baja Sur and Mexico. We wanted to reduce dependence on buying machine-made home goods from big box stores, and to help to uplift the community that has been here longer than us all.
How We Got Started
We walked into every doorway in Tonalá, reconnected with old friends who introduced us to new artisans in Tlaquepaque and Guadalajara, trudged through depressing trade shows in Guadalajara, wandered down cobblestone streets in Teotitlán del Valle, hauled bags up never-ending inclines in San Miguel de Allende, tested the brakes on our rental by stopping along the highway in Silao, and followed the dynamic murals of Oaxaca to hidden gems.
Some discoveries were closer to home; we met new friends and emerging artists in Todos Santos, Pescadero, San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas who were beginning their own creative journeys.
And with these Baja Sur collaborators, we began the sanctum baja brand…
What is sanctum baja?
sanctum baja began with furniture, and expanded to include bespoke decor, lighting and most recently surfboard bags. The furnishings are largely designed in collaboration with Harry Tea, a finish carpenter in Pescadero. The collection is made up of durable, contemporary and comfortable pieces for the Baja Sur homeowner who wants to enjoy being here and not worry how hurricanes, termites, sun and sand are affecting their furnishings. And because we’re your neighbors, there’s no shipping stress…we know exactly where that funky dirt road goes.
And given our love of the ocean and history in the surf industry, making bespoke surfboard bags in Todos Santos with a collection of collaborators is just another curve in this winding path of ours.
We want to encourage you to live life a little bigger, deeper, and sweeter..isn’t that why we’re all here?
Evolution is natural.
Over the years; we’ve experienced, endured and witnessed all sorts of building projects as this area continues to welcome new additions.
As such, sanctum services was born of a desire to help you dwell well in your new home with the support of a trusted network of skilled professionals to address projects that at times fall between your building team and your property manager. And sometimes you just need an extra hand. Learn more here!
What Comes Next?
We built THE CO-OP BAJA as a hub for supporting artisans through the purchase and ordering of products for home & hospitality. And since connection is at the root of everything we do…
We program art openings, workshops, and tours in Baja Sur & select Mexican destinations, to introduce you directly to the artisans and the process.
We work with small business owners to outfit dining, event & hospitality spaces with bespoke pieces made for scale in the U.S. and Baja Sur. Let’s work together!
We continue to expand our network of affiliate locations to shop curated products in the U.S. and Mexico. Want to work together? Message us here!
We want to help you fall in love with the richness of Mexico’s lineage of craftsmanship as we have. And at times, our travels around the world allow us to introduce limited drops and new artisans beyond Mexico’s borders into the fold…Join the journey below.