I wanted to announce tomorrow is the last day to sign for my traditional Navajo weaving class for Ocotober.  See the blog info further down if you are interested.  It’s $650 for 5 days and students are responsible for their own hotel and food.  If you are interested in siging up, please go to click on the paypal link on my blog below that discusses making  down payment.  My fees will increase for next year as I gain more experience working with students. 

Please contact me if you have any questions.

I will be participating in the activities at the Wheelwright Museum during the week of the infamous Santa Fe Indian Market.  How exciting, huh?  I will be participating in the roundtable discussion about Native art collecting on Thursday, August 19 and I’ll be demonstrating Navajo weaving on Friday morning from 8:30 to 10:30, August 20. 

Last year my dear friend and second mom (in the Navajo way), Noel Bennett, came to support and assist me in showing and talking about my jewelry and weaving to the visitors who came out on Friday just before the Indian Market weekend.  She enjoyed helping me out and she will be again coming out to help me.  This year she will be siging copies of her books she authored.  Please visit her website at www.noelbennett.com to see her publsihed works.  Here’s a photo of us at last year’s Wheelwright Live Auction.  We had several photographers taking our picture.  I was looking at one while Noel was looking at the right one at the right time.  Ha, ha, ha….. It was so much fun. Thank you so much Noel!   

Please contact me if you have any questions about the activities at the Wheelwright Museum on August 19 and 20.

I want to thank all of you who participated in Convergence 2010 in Albuquerque.  It was the first time I attended a Convergence conference.  What a wonderful time I had!! 

I taught the Navajo Weaving Bootcamp Class along with Rose Dedman, Jennie Slick and Mary Walker.  We had about 53 students in a huge space we called “the echo room”!  Actually, once we got started it was not a problem to be in that room.  I want to thank Rose, Jennie, Mary and Pat for helping me in with the first ever class I taught.  I also want to thank my students for being patient and having a sense of humor.  I enjoyed meeting all of you and look forward to doing it again next year. 

-Morris

Did you know 2010 is the year for handweaving and fiber arts?  This year is highest number of handweavers in this country!  This will make for a very interesting Handweavers’ Guild of America’s Convergence 2010. 

Just like I promised in my blog here are my hand-selected handmade Navajo weaving combs.  I am a discriminating artist and weaver with regard to kind of wool I use, tools I weave with and finishing needles I use.  I want to assure you the following offering of handmade Navajo weaving combs is like no other offering in weaving supply stores on and off the Navajo Reservation!  I promise.  Here we go.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

	Navajo Weaving Comb Pins         These pins are the perfect gift for weavers or those who want to weave!  Perfect for your yarn bag or your Gilbert Begay bag!  Handmade by a Navajo artisan. Quantity available: 3.   Price: $11 each plus $5 shipping in the U.S.*
	Navajo Weaving Comb Pins with Natural Coral      These pins are the perfect gift for weavers or those who want to weave!  Perfect for your yarn bag or your Gilbert Begay bag!  Handmade by a Navajo artisan.   SOLD OUT
	Handmade Weaving Comb #1        This is a finishing or mini comb use to work in small, tight space of a Navajo rug.  Made of hickory wood found on the Navajo Reservation.   I have 5 of this style of finishing combs where no two are exactly the same. L=6.5″ approx.  W=0.75″ approx.    Price: $15 each plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Handmade Navajo Weaving Comb #2         This is a small weaving comb use for mini Navajo rugs or finishing your large Navajo rug.  Made of Purpleheart wood with no varnish nor laquer. Matte finished. Quanity: 1. L=8″, W=1.125″    Price: $26 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Handmade Navajo Weaving Comb # 3        This is an elegant weaving comb. Made of oak wood.  Made for weaving your large Navajo rug or mini Navajo rug.  The pointed handle is perfect for scalloping weft yarns.  Quantity: 1. L=8″, W=1.25″.    Price: $24 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Handmade Navajo Weaving Comb #4         This is one of three unique Navajo weaving combs with geometric rug designs “etched” in the oak wood of this comb.  It has a design on the other side also.  Perfect for display only or you could actually use it in weaving a Navajo rug!  Quanity: 1. L=6.5″ W=1.5″ approx.    Price: $24 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Other side of Handmade Navajo Weaving Comb #4
	Handmade Navajo Weaving Comb #5          This is another unique Navajo weaving comb with geometric rug designs “etched” in the oak wood of this comb.  It has a design on the other side also.  Perfect for display only or you could actually use it in weaving a Navajo rug!  Quanity: 1. L=6.5″ W=1.5″ approx.    Price: $22 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Other side of Handmade Navajo Weaving #5
	Handmade Navajo Weaving Comb #6        This is the last Navajo weaving comb with geometric rug designs “etched” in the oak wood of this comb.  It has a design on the other side.  Perfect for display only or you could actually use it in weaving a Navajo rug!  Quanity: 1. L=10.5″ W=2.5″ approx.    Price: $35 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Other side of Handmade Navajo Weaving Comb #6
	Handmade Navajo Weaving Comb #7        This is a good weight and size Navajo weaving comb.  The handle is unique.  Made of oak.  Quantity: 1. L=10″, W=2.25″ approx.    Price: SOLD
	Handmade Navajo Weaving Comb #8       I had these weaving combs specially made for weavers or collectors who want a little something extra on a handmade Navajo weaving comb.  These are made of oak.  As a Navajo weaver, I want to pay tribute to Navajos who herd sheep and the sheep for providing us with Navajo wool to weave with!  The image on these combs is an abstracted Navajo Churro 4-horned ram.  The execution is all done by hand.  I waited a few weeks for these to be completed.  I now offer them to you to use in Navajo rug weaving or for display.    Quanity: 2. L=9″ W=2.5″ approx.    Price: $75 each plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Detail of Handmade Navajo Weaving Combs #8

Summer is a very busy time for me.  Over the weekend I went to the Crownpoint Rug Auction, a couple of rez flea markets, and worked on my projects in Church Rock.  I am preparing for a couple of upcoming events for this summer.  I will be team teaching Navajo Weaving Boot Camp with Jennie Slick, Rose Dedman, and Mary Walker in a couple weeks at the Handweaver’s Guild of America’s Convergence 2010 in Albuquerque, NM.  I have a Board of Trustees meeting at the Wheelwright Museum this week and then my other event is demonstrating Navajo weaving, carding, and handspinning at the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, NM during the Santa Fe Indian Market. 

I will continue to go on my shopping trips on the rez and border towns.  Please contact me if you have any questions.   Until the next time….

-Morris

I am finalizing and working on my last series before the Santa Fe Indian Market.  This year, 2010, is a major year for weaving, weaving classes and Convergence 2010 in Albuquerque, NM.  There is a major exhibit at the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, NM, Nizhoni Shima’: Master Weavers of the Toadlena/Two Grey Hills Region (www.wheelwright.org).

Here’s my tribute to recognize and honor some of matriarchs of Dine’ weaving. Come and meet Daisy, Clara and Virginia.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

	Daisy (Pin & Pendant) Hand-fabricated sterling silver set with a piece of stabilized Chinese turquoise (body) and red spiny oyster shell (face).  This abstract figure is in profile with her traditional Navajo hairstyle, silver bead necklace, broomstick calico skirt and her cane she uses while herding her sheep.  All she needs is a Navajo sheepdog!  Price: $275 plus $7 for shipping in the U.S.
	Clara (Pin & Pendant)  Hand-fabricated sterling silver set with a piece of stabilized Chinese turquoise (body) and red spiny oyster shell (face).  This abstract figure is in profile with her traditional Navajo hairstyle, silver bead necklace, broomstick calico skirt and her cane she uses while herding her sheep.  All she needs is a Navajo sheepdog!  Price: $275 plus $7 for shipping in the U.S.
	Virginia (Pendant only)  Hand-fabricated sterling silver set with a piece of natural Bisbee turquoise (body) and natural red coral (face).  This abstract figure is in profile with her traditional Navajo hairstyle, silver bead necklace, broomstick calico skirt and her cane she uses while herding her sheep.  All she needs is a Navajo sheepdog!  Price: $375 plus $7 for shipping in the U.S.

I finalized my offering of a traditional Navajo weaving class.  Here are the details.

WHEN: Oct. 25 to 29, 2010 (5 days)
WHERE: Quality Inn Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ
COSTS:  Students will be responsible for their own room reservations (about $82/night incl tax for single occupancy, about $93/night tax included for double occupancy).  Here’s the cost for the class for 5 days:  $650 includes use of my handmade Navajo looms (available for purchase) plus cost of wool and basic weaving tools.

I am limiting the class to 10 students.  I will be the only instructor so you will receive all of my attention. 
We will be spending time learning techniques for warping, making edging cords, selecting warp types, weaving, use of Navajo spindle, and how we Navajos treat our yarns and weaving space.  It will be part art class and Navajo culture, but it’s just weaving in Navajo thought. It will definitely be stimulating and you will learn traditional Navajo weaving. 

If you are interested in this class, please click on the PayPal link to pay a deposit of $300 to hold a spot in this class. The deadline for the deposit is July 30, 2010 due to availability of facilities at the Quality Inn in Window Rock. 

Please contact me if you have any questions.  If I do not have 10 students signed up for this class by July 30, I will cancel the class and refund deposits.

I want my audience to experience the range of the jewelry I make.  I love making vintage, old style Navajo jewelry, but I also like making abstract figural pieces. 

Here’s my latest offering. Enjoy! Please contact me if you have any questions.

	Dragonfly Cross    Handstamped Dragonfly cross pendant on leather cord with a handmade clasp.  Sterling Silver. L=19.5″   Price: $155 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Navajo Spiderwoman Cross    Handstamped Spiderwoman Cross with center accent piece on leather cord with a handmade clasp.  Sterling silver. L=19.25″   Price: $160 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Navajo Flower Pendant    Handstamped flower pendant.  Simple, elegant and traditional appearance. Sterling silver.   Price: $125 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Traditional Style Navajo Ring    Handmade traditional style Navajo ring set with high grade natural Morenci turquoise. Sterling silver. Size 7. Turquoise measures 7/8″ high and 1/2″ wide.   Price: $295 plus $8 shipping in the U.S.
	Back view of the traditional Navajo ring.
	Old Style Navajo Ring    Handstamped ring with a center accent drop reminescent of the vintage Navajo Pawn style jewelry.  I left it with an “aged” appearance.  Sterling silver. Size approximately 7.5.   Price: $135 plus $7 shipping.
	Cloud style Earrings    Handstamped cloud earrings with tubular coral “rain” dangles.  Sterling silver and natural coral beads.  Handmade ear hook wires.   SOLD

I decided to share with my audience some of the treasures I’ve found and purchased from my weekend Native art shopping trips.  I am offering these items for you to add to your collections or perhaps you are beginning to collect. 

I am offering two silver bracelets that are imitations of handmade Navajo silver bracelet cuffs.  I purchased these pieces because of the fact they are high quality imitations.  I know of some collectors who collect authentic Native jewelry, but also some high quality imitation Native jewelry.  I am in no way misrepresenting handmade Native jewelry.  I buy what I like.  I am also offering a turquoise choker with a single spiny oyster shell “corn bead”.  The turquoise beads are likely Santo Domingo Pueblo handmade and stabilized (not natural).  The most unexpected piece I found is an authentic vintage Navajo silver and turquoise hairpin.  Contemporary Native hair accessories are not like their vintage counterparts.  I prefer vintage handmade Navajo hair ornaments over the contemporary ones. 

Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.  Enjoy!

	Turquoise choker   It’s likely this is a handmade turquoise choker. Turquoise is likely stabilized and not natural. I bought this choker because it’s charming and looks vintage. L=15″  Price: $40 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Imitation Native bracelet #1   This bracelet is likely “machined” rather than handmade.  It has “Sanford” stamped on the inside of the bracelet. I light polished it and it’s “white” like sterling silver.  Silver. Size   5.25″. Price: $40 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Side view of Imitation Native Bracelet #1
	Imitation Native Turquoise Bracelet #2   This bracelet is also “machined”.  The turquoise is like imitation and not natural.  It has “STERLING” stamped on the inside of this bracelet.  The bezel cups that house the turquoise pieces are quite nice.  Nice to add to any collection. Size:  5.25″. Price: $55 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.
	Side view of Imitation Native Turquoise Bracelet #2.
	Vintage Navajo Hairpin   This elegant, refined vintage Navajo hairpin has hand-cut turquoise.  I’m not certain if the turquoise is natural or stabilized, but it has facets that show it’s handmade.  Nice hairpin to add to any collection. Price: $35 plus $7 shipping in the U.S.

For some of you who already know I commute from Albuquerque to Santa Fe for work with New Mexico Department of Transportation.  Santa Fe is an artful place with an ecelectic aesthetic.  I am fascinated with the vintage style of Navajo jewelry and my personal style I worked in while attending Arizona State University.  Being in Santa Fe during the work week reinforces my love for the vintage and contemporary styles. 

Here are some pieces that reflect both styles. I am offering them for purchase.  Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing.  I do work with my buyers for a layaway payment plan, which I work out individually with each person.  Here we go!

	Flying Critter #1  Hand-fabricated pendant set with natural Morenci turquoise (face) and a piece of fossilized dinosaur bone (body).  Sterling silver.  Chain not included. Price: $350 plus $8 shipping in the U.S.
	Vintage Style Earrings #1  Hand-fabricated individually with silver wire and set with asymetrical natural Pilot Mountain turquoise. Hand-made ear wire.  Sterling silver. Price: SOLD
	Vintage Style Earrings #2   Hand-fabricated individually with silver wire and set natural red spiny oyster shell.  Different kinds of shell are important to the Navajo people as they are significant in different Navajo ceremonies.  Sterling silver. *This is a bargain price for these earrings. Price: $120 plus $8 shipping in the U.S.
	Textured Bracelet #1  This style of bracelet was very popular with my customers while I was in college at Arizona State University. I find this piece striking with the satin finish.  It has one silver rivet, some drilled holes, and side cut outs. W=0.5″, Size 5.75 (L=5.75″). Price: $120 plus $8 shipping in the U.S.
	Here’s a view of the other side of the bracelet cuff.  It’s an asymmetrical cuff.