Colorful Cholita in La Pa

Inspiration from Bolivia

LAUREN CASGREN-TINDALL

Founder & Creative Director

Lauren Casgren-Tindall is founder and creative director for Crème de Mint. She has 20 years of experience in the CPG industry helping business owners to connect with their customers by creating strategic packaging designs.

LAUREN CASGREN-TINDALL

Founder & Creative Director

Lauren Casgren-Tindall is founder and creative director for Crème de Mint. She has 20 years of experience in the CPG industry helping business owners to connect with their customers by creating strategic packaging designs.

As a graphic designer, I am always seeking new things to inspire my work. For me I get that most often from new experiences like traveling to different countries. This last trip was to Bolivia. Bolivia was filled with rich history that comes from its 36 different indigenous ethnicities.

With my background both in graphic design and costume design, I am fascinated by the traditional arts, like textiles, masks and hat. Bolivia with its many ethnics group had it all.

Colorful Textiles

I love the graphic richness in it’s textiles. Each region is different and has different symbols woven into their clothing. The symbols are specific to the region and to the person who will be wearing it. Girls begin to learn to weave as children and their marriage options are based on their weaving capabilities.

Bolivian Textiles
Bolivian Textiles
Bolivian Textiles

Bolivian Textiles

Bolivian Textiles
Bolivian Textiles

Traditional Masks

In the same way that we see diversity in the textiles across the regions, we see this even more through the varied masks that are used in ceremonial dances. Most of the most interesting masks represent the devil characters.

Masks of Bolivia

Masks of Bolivia

Devil Mask of Bolivia

Devil Mask of Bolivia

Masks of Bolivia

Masks of Bolivia

Traditional Hats

The hats are also quite elaborate. From beautiful from feathers, to beaded to woven, there is a plethora of different types of hats throughout Bolivia. I have never seen so much diversity in one culture before. Then again Bolivia is made up of so many different groups.

Hats of Bolivia

Hats of Bolivia

Hats of Bolivia

Hats of Bolivia

Hats of Bolivia

Hats of Bolivia

Witches’ Market

I saw more ceremonial items at the witches market. I felt safe there even though it’s an area where pickpocketers might take advantage of the tourists. What I loved was that most of the stalls were run by woman entrepreneurs called Cholitas. (Which might be part of the reason, I felt safe in La Paz). Cholitas were everywhere selling textiles, offerings, llama fetuses (for good blessings) and more.

Colorful Cholitas

Colorful Cholitas

Colorful Cholita in La Pa

Colorful Cholita in La Paz

Witches' Market in La Paz

Witches’ Market in La Paz

Llamas at the Witches' Market

Llamas at the Witches’ Market

Llama fetuses at the Witches' Market

Llama fetuses at the Witches’ Market

Witches' Market

Witches’ Market Ceremonial Items

Witches' Market Ceremonial Items

Witches’ Market Ceremonial Items

Cholita on their cell phone

Cholita on her cell phone while talking with her Cholita friends

Coca Tea and Candy

La Paz is at about 12,000 ft, which for many people means varying levels of altitude sickness. Coca Tea (made from Coca leaves, the same leaves as cocaine) has been a staple in the region for altitude sickness along with sorojchi pills. Being from Miami with its history rooted in the Cocaine trade, the coca museum (and cafe) was especially interesting to me.

Cafe_con_Coca

Cafe con Coca

Coca_cafe

Coca Cafe

Coca_tea

Coca Tea

Coca Candy Packaging

Coca Candy Packaging

Original Coca-Cola Recipe

Original Coca-Cola Recipe

Coca-Cola Ad

Coca-Cola Ad

HB Bronze

Another gem I stumbled upon in a shady part of town was this little coffee shop started by two brothers. I love the design of the space and the presentation of my tea.

HB Bronze Exterior

HB Bronze Exterior

Tea Time

Tea Time

Coffee Menu

Coffee Menu

HB Bronze Team at Work

HB Bronze Team at Work

Dessert

Dessert

Interior of HB Bronze

Interior of HB Bronze

Receipt

Receipt

Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni)

One of the highlights for most tourists visiting La Paz is the Salt Flats. Before we headed out to the salt flats, we visited a family run salt company. The salt flats themselves were stunning. We played with perspective photos. After we went passed by several lagoons, volcanos and craters. We saw llamas, ostriches, flamingos and an animal that looked like a large bunny with a long tail called a viscacha.

Shadows in the Salt Flats

Shadows in the Salt Flats

Dali Landscape

Dali Landscape

Flamingo

Flamingo

Stunning Views!

Stunning Views!

Friendly Llama

Friendly Llama

For me Bolivia is rich not only in it’s culture, but it’s nature. Feeling inspired by both.

Crème de Mint has specialized in beauty, food and supplement packaging design for more than 15 years. Our CPG branding agency knows how to create compelling, craveworthy designs that can help your brand stand out! Book a call today to chat with us about your packaging design.

LAUREN CASGREN-TINDALL

Founder & Creative Director

Lauren Casgren-Tindall is founder and creative director for Crème de Mint. She has 20 years of experience in the CPG industry helping business owners to connect with their customers by creating strategic packaging designs.

LAUREN CASGREN-TINDALL

Founder & Creative Director

Lauren Casgren-Tindall is founder and creative director for Crème de Mint. She has 20 years of experience in the CPG industry helping business owners to connect with their customers by creating strategic packaging designs.