Native American jewelry - The Southwest

Tarl Michael

For several years, I have had the fortunate opportunity to be a purchasing agent for Bearlanders Native American Indian jewelry & gifts. I have enjoyed the Southwest for the past 47 years and I would like to bring a part of that experience to you.

The American Southwest has some of the most unusual and beautiful sites in America. You will find awe in the whether worn walls of the Grand Canyon, (Arizona) and beautiful red sandstone in Zion (Utah). Since earth's creation, the wind and the water have carved beauty in the landscape, the likes of which no man could duplicate. Valleys so deep, you could fit the tallest skyscraper. With just about every color imaginable, blues, reds, greens, browns and purples scattered though the sides of the cliff walls. You see trees (scrub pine) growing out the side of the canyon walls, hanging on by only 1/2-inch roots. One could question how or why they exist there. There is water running through many of the canyons year round. With paths and trails to be hiked by all ages. For a rock collector, you could fill your pockets until your pants fell down. Or until your back grew so tired from the weight of the backpack filled with magnificent little treasures. No doubt the national park service doesn't condon filling your pockets or backpack with rocks. But the west is vast and there are many little jagged treasures to be found.

The Mogillion rim is located roughly half way between Phoenix and Flagstaff and is every bit as inspiring as the Grand Canyon. Located near Strawberry (Arizona), overlooking the Mogillion, the rich, thick forest resembles a beautiful dark green carpet. Using your imagination, you can picture many places a cowboy could hide from hostile Indians. Better yet, picture the beauty of vast plateau's and deep gorge's where Indians, Soldiers and Cowboys alike, of the 1700, 1800 and early1900's traveled and made camp. When thinking of the southwest many only picture desert and scorching heat. Not so in this beautiful high country. No doubt the temperature never reaches the low 80's. When you hear the word Arizona or American southwest, you no longer need to imagine desert, tumble weeds, snakes and unbearable heat. Now picture rich green forests, cool weather and the skies at night filled with so many stars it would take a lifetime to count them all. While watching the stars, you will still hear the howls of the coyote calling to the night sky. In the southwest and Arizona you will still find American Indians, not with bow and arrow in hand, but selling their handcrafted goods at road side rest stops. The American Indians have been crafting jewelry, pottery and carved items for centuries, an art that has been passed down from generation to generation.

While traveling I have purchased handcrafted, Native American jewelry as gifts for my family and friends. I have been intrigued by the fact that Native American Indians have handcrafted jewelry for centuries and are still making their jewelry by hand. In the 1800's a Mexican Silversmith taught the Indians of the southwest how to use silver in their jewelry work. I realized that not everyone could visit and enjoy the Southwest or afford much of the Indian jewelry and handcrafted goods. As many know, handcrafted Indian jewelry can range in price from $2 to as much as $10,000 and more. Fortunately, I have found a wonderful source to supply beautifully handcrafted Indian jewelry from the Southwest, at very affordable prices.

American Indian jewelry is crafted with just about every gemstone imaginable, including everything from Amber, Amethyst, Jasper, Opal, Tiger Eye and of course Turquoise. Turquoise has been mined and used as far back as 5000 B.C. Turquoise jewelry is as popular today as it has been for centuries. Turquoise is said to have many healing properties, which is one of the reasons for its popularity and use in so many cultures, for so many centuries. All gemstones are said to have spiritual and medicinal healing properties. At Bearlanders Trading Co.com we carry a large selection of authentic American Indian jewelry, most of our Indian jewelry consist of the many gemstones listed in this article.

www.BearlandersTradingCo.com is the leader in affordable Native American jewelry. Bearlanders is currently offering every item at reduced prices and through the month of July take advantage of additional 30% saving by using the coupon code jly5x.

Tarl Michael owner of Bearlanders Trading co., On-line store http://www.BearlandersTradingCo.com, has been purchasing American Indian jewelry for retail sales over the past 6 years.
Any business venture can prove to be difficult but not impossible. Just like: "Landing a Bear!" Bearlanders is inspired by the traditions of the American Indian including their crafting skills passed down from generation to generation.

Handicrafts of Kerala
Jayachandran.R

Handicrafts of Kerala

Kerala, the Gods own country Situated in India has a rich tradition of Handicrafts. Kerala's traditional handicrafts are a class of its own. The artisans of kerala have traditional expertise in carving in wood, jewellery design, both gold and silver and also in other mediums. Making idos and figures in metaletc. The gifted artisans makes beautiful idols of Lord Krishna, Ganesh, Goddess Saraswathi, Lakshmi etc. in sandal wood ,elephants in rose wood and other art works in varieties of other woods.These items are showcased in http://www.aayurmart.com

Life size models of Kathakali, and models depiciting snake boat race of kerala are exclusive masterpieces of kerala aritisans. The idols of Lord Nataraja in dancing posture and the various lamps (vilakku) which are essential for every ceremonies of keralities are also created by artisans.

Industrial arts and handicrafts form an invaluable part of the Cultural heritage of Kerala. Metal crafts have the pride of place among the traditional arts. Bell-metal casting is an old time industrial art. It has involved mainly two kinds of activities. Images or idols of deities made out of copper, bronze and brass are used for consecration in temples and other religious purposes. Huge Varpus (shallow basins of hemispherical shape), multi-layered lamps and household utensils are all made of these metals. These products are noted for their high degree of perfection.

Lamps of the most artistic beauty are also made by Kerala craftsmen. The Greek lamp (Changalavatta), the Archana lamp, the Arati Dipa etc., deserve mention in this context. The Aranmula metal mirror has attained fame among the products of the bell metal industry. A product of an accident in metal casting, it is made of an alloy of copper and tin and resembles the glass mirror in every respect in point of utility. The Koftagari work, one of the popular metal crafts of India, is also being practiced by a few artisans in Trivandrum. Figures of deities, landscapes, floral designs and fancy articles of a wide variety are produced in Koftagari.

Wood craft is one of the ancient arts of Kerala as is testified to by the temples and churches of the State which abound in wood carvings. Items of furniture like chairs, tables settees, sofas, almirahs, cots, radio castings etc., and models of animals and deities, toys and Kathakali accessories produced by Kerala craftsmen are very much in demand. The models of caparisoned elephants and the carvings of Kathakali dance-dolls are items of popular demand.http://www.aayurmart.com showcases some of the items.

The craftsmen of Kerala have also developed a variety of handicrafts using the rich wealth of flora in the State. Screwpine mat weaving is one of such handicrafts. Such articles as pillow covers, cushions, vanity bags, purses, hats etc., are also made of screw pine. The art of weaving bamboo-reed mats, baskets and fancy articles is also one of the simplest of Kerala handicrafts. Kora grass is similarly used for making mats of different sizes and colours. Rattan is used in the manufacture of articles of daily use like chairs, settees, teapoys, cradles, trays, shopping bags and a variety of other utility-cum-fancy articles. The coconut shell is used for the manufacture of such articles of utility and beauty as lamp stands, flower vases, ashtrays etc. Coir carpets and mattings produced in many attractive designs and colours find a ready market in India and abroad.

Lace and embroidery work of high quality is being done by women in several parts of Kerala. The Talangara village of Kasaragod taluk is famous for the textile cap making industry. The cotton caps manufactured here find a ready market in the African and Gulf countries.

Ivory carving is another traditional art of Kerala. The art was given an impetus by Swati Tirunal Maharaja. An ivory throne made by Swati Tirunal is still preserved as a show piece. The craftsmen engaged in this art at present produce a variety of models of mythological characters, animals, birds, cigarette cases etc., to cater to different tastes. A typical specimen of ivory carving produced in Kerala is that of the snake boat (Chundan vallam) and it is cherished by tourists to the State as a memento. The craftsmen engaged in ivory carving also use other materials like the buffalo born for practicing their art.

The jewelry of Kerala is noted for its artistic perfection. Each caste or community had its typical ornament. An ornament of the Nair women was Nagapadam or serpent hood, so called after the shape of the pendant. An ear ornament called Toda, a double convex disc, was worn after dilating the earlobes. Mukkuthi was an ornament for nose and Kappu for the wrist. The most important ornaments for the neck were Addyal, Yantram, Avil Mala and Puli Nakham. Cherutali was a kind of necklace worn loose over the breast by Namboodiri women while Kasu Mala and Oddyanam were used by Tamil Brahmin. A kind of heavy guilt brass ring called Mekka Motiram was worn by Christian women after boring their ears in several places. Ottezhapathakkam, Kombu, Tala etc., were also typical Christian ornaments. Though most of the traditional ornaments mentioned above have become defunct now, the Kerala women are still found of ornaments, and jewelry items like necklaces, bangles, chains, earrings, studs etc., are now made by Kerala goldsmiths in a variety of attractive designs.

Apart from the main crafts described above, there are also a few others which deserve mention. Granite carving is one such art, which is mainly centred in Chengannur. The granite workers manufacture a variety of articles like idols, household equipment, pillars, survey stones etc., which are in great demand. The manufacture of musical instruments like Chenda, Maddalam, Mridangam, Edakka etc., is done in some places. The costumes and accessories required in Kathakali and Teyyam are being manufactured by some craftsmen. In Tellicherry, the home of Indian circus, the peculiar kinds of umbrella required by circus companies are manufactured. Being a maritime State, Kerala has its own handicrafts based on marine materials. Conch-shell articles like paper weight, pin cushions, ashtrayas, studs etc., are made by craftsmen in the Trivandrum area. In Kasaragod area articles like bangles, vanity bags and name boards are made of glass beads. Thus the legacy of Kerala in the field of arts and crafts is a rich and varied one.

Jayachandran.R.
Author is a freelance content writer who also owns http://www.aayurmart.com. For more details mailto:ayurmart@gmail.com