We feature beautiful creations by the Southwest tribes Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, Acoma, Jemez and Santo Domingos. We also carry traditional, contemporary and designer styled jewelry that you may collect, wear or give as a gift. Whatever your choice you will be proud to own one or many of these works of art.

Acoma (AH'-KO-MAH)

Acoma, the Southwest's "Sky City", near Grants, New Mexico stands nearly 400 ft. above a valley surrounding this secure and private mesa, and claims to be " the oldest" inhabited community in the United States, supposedly being continuously occupied since at least A.D. 1150.

Acoma has long been noted for producing very fine polychrome pottery with the thinnest wall of any Pueblo pottery. Famous for the pottery, Acoma artists still produce vessels shaped like the one's once used to hold water, store seeds and serve food. Many potters are still producing carefully and beautifully painted thin walled ware. In addition figurines of animals, birds and humans are also being produced. (Back to top)

Hopi (HOE'-PIH)

In the northeast area of Arizona almost in the center of the Navajo Nation is the Hopi reservation.

The Hopi people are known for their beautiful hand carved Katsina's. Each figure is carefully created and carved from a single piece of cottonwood root, and then meticulously painted. Hopi's are also noted for their fine overlay jewelry. Silversmithing started in the 1920's and several men became very proficient in both cast and wrought silver. They taught the younger men their craft. As years passed the Hopi became excellent silversmiths with very unique designs. Overlay, as used in Hopi silver work, is basically a piece of silver with a design cut out of it. The silver that is left after the design has been cut out, is the part that is used. This piece is soldered onto a sheet of plain silver and the inside of the design oxidized to show up black against the polished silver.

Hopi pottery comes in many forms and styles, but the polychrome ware produced at the village on First Mesa is the best known. Styles continue to evolve as potters experiment with different clays, styles and forms. No other tribe produces a greater variety of crafts than the Hopi. Katsinas, silver work, weaving and 3 types of basketry are their products. (Back to top)

Jemez (HAY'-MEZ)

Bowl-shaped baskets made from the deserts Yucca plant, clay pottery favoring the designs of the fundamental importance of corn in Pueblo life of the Indian. Whimsical and lovable storyteller figurines, and sculptures as well as some jewelry are the arts and crafts being produced at the pueblo today, which lies north of Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Back to top)

Santa Clara (SAHN'-TA-CLAR'-A)

Northeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico is the Santa Clara Pueblo.

Santa Clara is famous for it's polished black pottery. Over 300 potters are active today producing large numbers of bowls, jars, plates, figurines and miniatures. Both carved and painted polished blackware and redware are made along with some open-fired pieces having a brownish black appearance when the product is finished. Some red polychrome is also made, as is polished redware. Pottery making is an important and significant source of income for many in this pueblo. (Back to top)

Santo Domingo (SAHN'TOH-DAH-MING'-OH)

Santo Domingo ceramists are still creating artistic pottery. Traditional styles and shapes remain strong. Jars for water, food, seed and storage are always being made for individual use and for special community days. Pottery and silver jewelry are produced also but beads of shell and turquoise heshi are the best known artistic crafts produced by the Santo Domingo Pueblo, which is located northeast of Albuquerque, NewMexico. (Back to top)

Zuni (ZOO'-NEE)

The Zuni are the best known fetish carvers. Over 1,000 stonecutters, fetish carvers and silversmiths work full or part time at their chosen craft. The Zuni have been working with silver since the late 1800's and the artistry of techniques we now are familiar with as typically Zuni, began to evolve about 1930. New styles continue but silversmiths still have their roots in the prehistoric customs of stone and shell mosaic work. The finished product of their jewelry is a beautiful petipoint and needlepoint design. They also create exquisite inlay designs in silver and gold, many of which have become collectors pieces.

Zuni Pueblo is located in New Mexico approximately 35 miles southwest of Gallup. (Back to top)

Navajo (NAH'-VAH-HO)

The concho belt is one of the earliest styles of jewelry created by Navajo silversmiths. The oldest had slotted centers through which the leather was strung. This particular style developed after the turn of the century and continues today in many beautiful variations.

Indian jewelry Artists have always used a full range of colors in turquoise, sometimes seeking the unusual stone for inspiration and other times looking for a specific type of turquoise to compliment the silver design.

As early as three centuries ago the quality of Navajo weaving was acknowledged. Navajo weaving surpassed that of the finest Spanish weavers and is still, to this day, very high in quality.

Navajo sculptures have excelled in creating some of the most beautiful Alabaster carvings and statues depicting their culture and life forms, in today's world of art. They also express their beliefs and customs in beautiful hand woven basket creations, pottery and Kachinas.

The Navajo Nation is located in the northeast corner of Arizona and a portion of the reservation extends into Utah and the northwest corner of New Mexico. (Back to top