M.A Estudio is a Mexico City–based design studio founded in 2017 by multidisciplinary artist Melissa Ávila, who is originally from Tijuana. Through close collaboration with over 30 artisans across Mexican regions—including Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacán, Puebla, and Estado de México—the studio crafts unique home objects such as hand-woven rugs and clay vessels that honor ancestral methods while introducing contemporary detail. Ávila emphasizes fair, long-term artisan partnerships and ethical production, ensuring traditional techniques and native knowledge continue to thrive in a modern design context.

Melissa is a multidisciplinary artist from Tijuana. She is also the founder of M.A. - a brand of handmade homegoods such as vases and rugs created in close collaboration with over 20 artisans from Oaxaca. She was educated in arts but never worked as a designer before. The launch of her brand was inspired by an unusual encounter with her current mentor - Paulina Encarnación Sosa - a Mazatec healer. M.A. stands for her initials but also a symbolic statement "eme-a" meaning "here I am" in Spanish.

FOUNDER: Melissa Ávila

TEAM: founder + 5 employees + 15 artisans.

LOCATION: Mexico City & Oaxaca, Mexico.

MATERIALS: Red clay & wool

M.A creates unique pieces that are handmade alongside artisans who specialize in different ancestral processes with the aim to help to preserve craftsmanship and create both opportunity and income using fair and horizontal manufacturing practices.

The clay vases are burned with the traditional open fire method in Oaxaca and painted by hand by Melissa Àvila in their design studio in Mexico City. All pieces are one of a kind.

Each rug & pillow case and rug are made on traditional pedal looms from 100% organic wool from local sheep that are loved and respected. Until one of M.A's pieces reaches you the following steps are undertaken: wool gathering, washing, carding, hand spinning, dyeing, weaving, cleaning, brushing + sewing.