Indian Jewelry

As I was thinking about the sand art I talked about last week, I realized there was another aspect of the Native American culture that I find fascinating. Their jewelry!

In looking it up I discovered there are several different kinds. Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, Pueblo and Cherokee -- and many more. I'm sure you've driven through the reservations in Arizona and New Mexico and seen the roadside stands selling authentic jewelery. It's amazing work of silver and turquoise. We stopped at Four Corners on our way back from Oaklahoma and it was fun because they had shops from all four states. Each state had their own particular type of jewelry. It was wonderful.



Back in ancient days, they made lots of jewelry with beads, corn, shells and other such available items, but the work they do with silver is simply amazing. I also am surprised at all the different shades of turquoise. I had no idea, I thought it was all just a basic blue/green.

This one is called an emerald valley turquoise.


This is called green king turquoise.



I could spend hours looking through all the various sites that offer authentic jewelry. There's a site that claims to have the only official Cherokee Nation jewelry, there are others that claim to be representatives of the Hopi, Zuni and others. It's mind boggling.

Especially when you think about how few of true craftsmen there are left compared to jewelers in our culture. Their training comes from the tribal elders or apprentice to others that know the craft.

Jewelry making has become a hobby for many women now, with beads, stones and other things available at every craft store in the state. But this is serious art -- something that takes years of practice and learning. Just like anything that is worth doing, takes time to do it right.

Next time you have the chance to go by a roadside stand, take a minute and admire the work -- tell them how much you appreciate their efforts, and perhaps purchase something that you will remember. Native American art abounds and is available to wear.

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A Day of Triumph and Beauty

This is the time of year that we get to remember some of the past that was more than just the beginning of Life for this valley. It was the start of the Desert blooming as a rose. I realize that some of that quote was for the middle east, but I think a great deal of it was for Utah.

Back in 1847, when the pioneers first entered the valley it was nothing like what we see now. There were some trees, mainly around what steams and rivers existed, but most of it was arid land. A desert.

Only the industry and work of those early saints turned this valley into what it is now -- a glorious area to see. One that I wouldn't trade for anywhere else.

I moved here from California when I was 18. I had lived in a couple of different areas, close (relatively) to the ocean and then further up next to the mountains. I don't remember being happy anywhere there as I have been here. (Okay...I do miss the ocean once in a while -- but we do have salt water nearby...grin)

The thing that I love most about this state is it's people. We have some wonderful people here, and they aren't all members of the church either. They are just simply kind, generous and welcoming. Hopefully my children will grow up to be like their neighbors...grin.

My favorite thing about the 24th, though, is the parade. I mentioned the Day's of 47 Parade last week, and I really wanted to mention it today. Talk about beauty and artistry! Some of those floats are amazing! I think anyone who works on a float deserves a medal, because that takes so much patience and diligence. At least they don't have to work with live flowers and stuff like the Rose Parade and have more time. They also don't have to worry about the thing dying and falling apart within 48 hours or so...grin.

If your curious about the floats before the parade, there's always the KSL preview party, held Monday and Tuesday down at the South Towne Center. Personally, I'd like to go see them after the parade, so I can go gaze longer at the ones I liked best.

Have you ever thought about the art of putting a float together? Not only do you have to consider the base and foundation, how it's going to move and be driven, you have to decide if there are going to be people standing on it, how they are going to be secured and what is going to happen around them. I guess it's always the theme first and then figuring everything else out.

I've never done a float, but I have a friend who has done many of them, and from listening to her -- they are a lot of work. I don't think I ever want to work on one ... I guess if someone asked me. grin.

What really amazes me is that this year marks the 159th year of the parade. I remember when it was the 150th and they did the commemorative entry into the valley. We lived in Salt Lake and were really excited and thrilled with the event.

There have been many gifts from our pioneer ancestors. Among them the drive to succeed, the desire to change the world around us, quilts that last to be heirlooms, dutch oven cooking, and last but not least the hoe-down. Okay -- I'm sure they weren't the inventors of dancing, but they knew how to party and have fun.

If you don't have pioneer ancestry in your family tree...I'm sure there's someone back there that has proven their worth. I myself don't have pioneer stock, but my hubby does and I'm proud to be able to associate with them.

My parents were converts. My father's family came over from England -- In fact I even had one that jumped ship and went awol. Kind of exciting family history, huh? I like it.

Anyway -- I hope you take this time to celebrate families and take pictures, read journals and make some memories of your own this month. I know I will.

Didn't someone say there was watermelon in the fridge?

Oh...and don't forget:

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