One of the things that I love about turquoise jewelry is that it has a lot of flexibility as a style. There are many styles for women today, but turquoise jewelry was primarily worn by men and is still considered a very powerful approach to wearing jewelry, especially in the Southwest. You would be surprised […]
One of the most interesting facets of Native American culture that you may have seen are the fascinating figures , known as Kachina or Katsina dolls. These figures are heavily rooted in Native belief and have an important role to play in many of the ceremonies and rituals. These spirits are most commonly associated with […]
You might be thinking about buying someone turquoise. It’s a common practice for people that have January birthdays or maybe they just love the color, it’s unique and vibrant. If that’s the case, you might be wondering, how do I go about it? Well, you might like to learn that turquoise comes in many different […]
I’ve probably spoken about this at some point, but in 2016 the rise in renown Native American artists and designers has skyrocketed. After Vogue wrote an article about how some of the top designers in fashion, like Dior and Couture, owe their recent success by and large to Native American designers and since then, many […]
People often see stores making the claim of “Authentic Native Jewelry” when you see it on signs and ads. Not just jewelry either, but an array of patterns, dolls, art, and concepts that would bewilder the imagination to think that such a small community could be producing this much material every day of the year. […]
In my experience, all jewelry should adhere to three very specific elements: materials used, artistic technique, and quality. There are pieces that have one or two, but so few have all the elements that make for a truly great piece, this is especially true of Native American Jewelry. In my mind, I like to imagine […]
Pottery and basket weaving aren’t the first things that come to mind when people think of art. What spring forth are usually Renaissance sculptures, Matisse paintings, and independent films. However, these two art forms are much older and more in-depth thank you might think. Art, for the most part, is a way to express individuality […]
During the summertime, the Midwest seems to spring to life with all the festivals that takes place, from art to music people from around the country gather to see the festivities. If you’re not from around these parts, you may be interested to know what fashion works for the Southwest and how you can shine […]
For quite some time the Heishi bead style has dominated the American Southwest fashion industry. What makes this style so unique is the shape and material used to create this classic design. If you’re unfamiliar, Heishi beads are typically elongated cylindrical beads made from seashells or coral. This has been a facet of Native American […]
Let’s face it; we all have our lazy days. We want to sit and relax by the TV but sometimes obligations force us to dress up for the occasion. I’m all about a minimalist look. It’s simple and typically looks elegant if done right. That’s why accessories are so important. You want, at least, one […]
One of my favorite aspects of Native American culture is the concept of the warrior and the attributes that make them great, wisdom as well as strength. People have asked me about Native American symbolism and what my favorite symbols/patterns are. That got me thinking about Native warriors and their beliefs. It’s a bit of […]
Turquoise jewelry has a rich history over cultures around the world. Even Cleopatra wore beautiful turquoise and lapis lazuli pieces with gold settings to proudly display her elegance and allure. So how exactly does one go about adding turquoise jewelry into their wardrobe and pulling off the stone with matching outfits? Now the fashion gods […]
The American Southwest has enamored people for well over a century. The idea of cowboys and roaming the open countryside is a spirit that people still try to embody today. One of the few remaining designs of this era is the fashion of the Southwest. Right down to its core, the entire region is a […]
Language is the glue that holds a culture together. Without it, these cultures seem to unravel. This is the threat that many tribes face after centuries of laws geared towards integrating Native American into our culture. These laws were ill-conceived in the late 1800’s and their negative impact continues to ravage Native American culture to […]
Not only has Native American fashion taken the world by storm in 2016, but it’s also being reclaimed by Native American designers as well. This year has been especially beneficial to Native American art and culture, as popular brands have started to embrace, showcase, and acknowledge the cultural backgrounds of the artists that have worked […]
Recently one of my favorite jewelry sites put out a press release for their latest collection of feather jewelry. The amazing part about this collection is the story that inspired it. While the Irish were suffering from the Potato Famine, the Choctaw tribe donated a sum of money to the Irish to help them in […]
For quite some time, turquoise has been put down in the fashion industry as a “lesser-stone” and hasn’t made much progress in recent years. However, 2016 has seen the rebirth of this stone. From fashion designers to jeweler artisans, turquoise is becoming the “it-stone” of this year and will most likely continue onto the next […]
The recent uproar in Oklahoma at Sapulpa High School’s initial banning of traditional moccasins at graduations, despite their Native American mascot and general background, was washed away when a Native American student, Liseanne Yazzie, demanded that the school allow her to honor her culture and heritage. I don’t know about you, but it’s pretty hypocritical […]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Butterflies have always had a whimsical sense of wonder and mysticism to them. Think about, just the mere mention of a butterfly can take you back to your childhood, maybe chasing them in an open field or hoping one just lands on your shoulder so you can get a better view of their wing’s beautiful […]
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe. We’ve all heard the rhyme and it’s definitely cute, so much so that people seem to follow these rules religiously as they get ready to walk down the aisle. I’m not one to break tradition, so if you’re looking for […]
It’s no secret the Zika Virus is making headline news, it’s pretty terrifying if you ask me. I’m sure you’ve heard the news of infected species of mosquito swarming in and passing on the Zika Virus, affecting the health of people and even unborn children with microcephaly. The one thing we don’t see (that we […]
Typically an eclectic tribute to cultures, traditions, and art, this year saw a unique emphasis on Native American culture with animated shorts and even a very moving film that illustrates the passing of the Indian Child Welfare Act. The short film won the festival’s Best Documentary category and brought a little cultural awareness to the […]
In my mind, there are two great ways to engage people with another culture, food and art. Everyone wants to try a new tasty treat and art is something that can transcend language and cultural barriers by way of sheer aesthetic beauty. I think it’s important to embrace others cultures in as many ways as […]
Remember the start of December is on the way and if you want to celebrate all those December babies the right way, turquoise jewelry is the way to do it. Not to sound too preachy at this point, but they really do make the perfect December birthstone. The point of a December birthstone is to […]
Now, hear me out because I’ve done a bit of research on the matter. Turquoise jewelry has seen a recent surge in price and value because of the depletion of turquoise mines across the Southwest. Likewise, diamond prices continue to be driven down, due to newer and better ways of creating artificial diamonds. Among that […]
