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I have wanted to buy a native american rug for our coffee table. I went to a store on menaul called Indian Teepee.. it was overpriced and not very good. I was wondering if any of the posters here had a good recommendation for a native american jewelry and or rugs shop. I'd prefer something in the city... but I would travel if the place was within 25 miles.
The first question should be "Does it need to be authentic"? Or just "native styled"?
I'm very much in favor of promoting local artisans, but their goods will always be pricey
compared to Chinese and Pakistani clones that can be purchased all over the place.
There's a Navajo rug auction at the Prairie Star every November. They have rugs of all sizes and values. All are authentic and Bruce Burnham is also an authentic 4th generation trader. R.B. Burnham and Co. Trading Post (http://rbburnhamtrading.com/auctionandshow/maxwell-museum - broken link)
I was wondering if any of the posters here had a good recommendation for a native american jewelry and or rugs shop. I'd prefer something in the city...
I just read an article in the Wall Street Journal and also
recently saw an article on the Channel 7 news that discussed
fake Indian jewelry. The TV news showed a silver and
turquoise necklace that sold for $750. The silver was real
and the turquoise was blue-painted rock.
Buying Tips ( From the Federal Trade Commission site above ):
American Indian arts and crafts are sold through many outlets, including tourist stores, gift shops and art galleries. Here are some tips to help you shop wisely:
Buy from an established dealer who will give you a written guarantee or written verification of authenticity.
Get a receipt that includes all the vital information about the value of your purchase, including any verbal representations. For example, if the salesperson told you that the piece of jewelry you’re buying is sterling silver and natural turquoise and was handmade by an American Indian artisan, insist that this information appear on your receipt.
Before buying Indian arts and crafts at powwows, annual fairs, juried competitions, and other events, check the event requirements for information about the authenticity of the products being offered for sale. Many events list their requirements in newspaper ads, promotional flyers and printed programs. If the event organizers make no statement about the authenticity of Indian arts and crafts being offered for sale, get written verification of authenticity for any item you purchase that claims to be authentic.
For an Indian art or craft object to be an “Indian product” all work on the product must have been by an Indian or Indians.
It's sort of like eating out: If you can't afford to tip adequately,
stay at home and save your money. Why someone would knowingly
buy the fake stuff is beyond me.
The best way to purchase authentic Indian jewelry is directly from the maker. It's very easy to do around here.
Everyday, I think, Native American artisans sell their wares in front of the Palace of Governors in Santa Fe. Those spots are highly coveted and are only given to Native Americans who are allowed to sell only Native American made products. The sales along the plaza in Old Town are not so tightly regulated and you should be more wary there.
Most pueblos have an annual market. Kewa Pueblo, formerly Santo Domingo, has an arts & crafts market every Labor Day weekend. They have incredible jewelry makers. Jemez Pueblo has a market every Memorial Day weekend. Acoma has at least one market per year. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center has an arts & crafts market during Balloon Fiesta week, and occasionally other times. Bien Mur, across Tramway from the Sandia Casino, carries Native American jewelry. Some is not, but all I've seen there has been clearly marked with it's origin. The shop at Tamaya also carries Native American goods, at surprisingly decent prices. Every July, the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo hosts the 8 Northern Pueblos arts and crafts fair. They usually have 300 or more vendors, with about a third to half being jewelry makers.
Like with rugs, I'd avoid the dealers and buy from the maker.
I agree about buying from the maker. Those who sell at old town pay a premium price for those spots. You can bypass that additional profit by visiting the pueblos. Once you can make a connection with someone, you won't have a problem finding artisans.
Years ago I used to sell cars. Sold many cars to people who lived on reservations. Many were potters, jewelry makers, painters, etc... I got some awesome deals from them -- paintings for $50 that would have retailed for $350.00 and Kachina dolls for $15 that would normally cost $60.00. They'd come in the doors sometimes just to sell and make some extra money. The dealership had "no solicitor" signs up, but the management closed their eyes to these kinds of sales because everyone (including the managers) got such great bargains. The stores in and around old town buy their items from these same people but add a 300% mark-up.
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