Journal
Historically it’s been used as an offering to the gods for a good harvest or simply for needed rain. The Incas called it “mullu” and they made sure there was always someone to harvest the mollusk for temple offerings. Today it’s called spiny oyster, but its exotic beauty still makes it a prized material for […]
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Pen shell has a long history with Native American artists who have used the shell for a wide variety of types of jewelry. These days, however, the beautiful shell which has long been a traditional part of Native jewelry, faces some challenges thanks to environmental changes.
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Marion Lovato grew up making jewelry with her mother in her home in Santo Domingo Pueblo. She was the baby of the family and would sit on the floor while her mother made her heishe necklaces. Her first duty, she says, was to string the cut stones. Later she worked her way up to drilling. […]
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Though he admits he finds it a “little bit nerve-wracking”, Eric Joe loves creating pieces of handcrafted jewelry in the cluster style. He says “it’s just so pretty”. And it is indeed that. This style has a longstanding role in the world of Native American jewelry and rightly so. What is it? The name refers […]
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Authentic handmade Native American jewelry is valued for its unique beauty and hand craftsmanship. Because the jewelry is handmade, using natural materials, it may be more vulnerable to damage than the generic mass-produced jewelry found on the market. Here are 8 tips to consider for maintaining your authentic handmade jewelry: Avoid Water Avoid submerging jewelry in […]
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