Coin Purses with Navajo Artwork: The Perfect Gift for Your Mom

Searching for the perfect gift for your mommay sometimes feel a little challenging. With so many options out there, how do you narrow down on that one item that is unique and aesthetically appealing but is more than just another decorative item that goes on her shelf? May I suggest choosing Native American beaded purses? Beautiful Navajo art is imprinted on the purses which lends them uniqueness while allowing your mom to make the perfect style statement! 

Navajo Art

Let’s talk a little about Navajo art, shall we? The artform is associated with Native American Navajo tribes and is a reflection of their cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. You must be acquainted with Navajo rug designs and patterns. Well, originally the artworks were created on animal skin or other natural flat surfaces; the use of tools was minimal. Maybe because the artworks were created free-hand, they always had a raw fluidity and an alluring appeal about them. Pigments from natural elements were used to add the exuberance of colors to the artwork. Take Navajo art on a coin purse for example, the patterns and designs are hard to miss and add some flair to a daily use item! 

For the Navajos, these paintings were not just artwork but complete rituals in themselves. They believed that these painting traditions absorbed negative energies and cleansed the environment. The beginning of this wonderful art form can be traced back to sand paintings but eventually the Navajos started using them to adorn their utilitarian articles. Today, you will find quite a few daily use items embellished with Navajo art. You will find Navajo art on coin purses, wallets, mugs, jewelry, and even face masks, something without which nobody should be stepping out of the house today! These may be newer ideas but the roots are embedded in the cultural traditions of Native Americans. 

Where to Find 

You must be wondering where to find coin purses with authentic Navajo art. I happen to know just the right place. Heard about NAVAJO ARTIST? You should checkout their website. Their coin purses are beautifully imprinted with Navajo artwork. You will find tribal representations of flora, fauna, pottery, dancers, ceremonies and so many other themes. The indigenous charm of Navajo art on a coin purse makes it the perfect gift for your mom. I have picked out 7 designs that I totally adore, you are free to explore their whole gallery and find something else that you like! Here are my favorites:

1. Bearer of Good News 

2. Above and Beyond

3. Circle of Najas 

4. Midwinter Home

5. Nine Day Ceremony

6. Sun Flower 

7. The Wedding Gift 

It’s time to do some gift shopping now. Buy Native American beaded purses at NAVAJO ARTIST!  

Few Things to Know When Storing Your Art Work

 The adage “art is priceless” is most probably correct, and art lovers know why — art is made with passion, love, and a touch of madness. It’s irreconcilable and notably irreplaceable in the sense that you can’t buy the same piece of art with the same feeling, as you would do with a home appliance or car or any other thing. Hence, storing artworks — whether bought from a Native American gallery or an online store — the right way is crucial to keep them unscathed and new throughout the lifespan. Here are a few things to know when storing your precious art pieces:

Avoid direct sunlight

Prolonged exposure to sunlight is likely to deteriorate your paintings and other artworks because of ultraviolet radiation. The colors may fade or lighten on coming in contact with the direct sunlight, especially in watercolor and oil paintings. Even if you have covered them with a UV-protected film, it’s not worth the gamble. So, store or hang your artworks where the sun can’t get to them. 

Store them in a dark, dry, cool place

Considering the damage that the sunlight could cause to your art pieces, the best place to store them is in a cool, dry, and dark place where temperature fluctuation and humidity are minimal. 

Don’t clean your art pieces with soap and water

Because artworks are sensitive to moisture, it’s not a good idea to clean them with water and soap. Should you need to clean your paintings or other pieces of art, use a soft dusting cloth or take them to an art restoration store.

Don’t touch paintings

There’s a reason staff at a Native American gallery always wear cotton gloves when handling paintings and artwork. The natural oil from your palm and fingers can cause a chemical reaction with the oil and chemicals used in the painting, which can damage its color and texture. Plus, touching them may leave your fingerprints, making them look less appealing.

If you want to know more about art care or want to buy art, many online Indian Art galleries can provide you with everything you need to keep your love for art alive and moving. 

Navajo Jewelry: How It All Started & Notable Artists

Jewelry made from turquoise, coral, wood, leather, bone, antler, jet stone, crystal, and the shell has been founded in ancient sites throughout the Americas. In the southwest, the confluence of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican cultures brought metalwork to the Navajo and Pueblo people. Atsidi Sani, old silversmith is believed to be the first Navajo to learn metalworking. He first learned the art of blacksmithing from a Mexican man named NakaiTsosi in the mid-1800s, and then later studied silversmithing around 1865. Check out some gorgeous Navajo silver cuff bracelets!

During the 1870s, other Navajos learned their trade from regional blacksmiths and tinsmiths and used their skills to create items for everyday use, such as bridles, bandolier bags, buttons, and bells, and more. Native American art jewelry soon followed. Slender Maker of silver learned from his brother Atsidi Sani, and became known for his innovation and refinement of the art, especially during the 1880s through the 1890s. His son learned silversmithing and worked for years in his workshop at Olvera Street in Los Angeles. Their pieces are highly valued even today.

Grey Moustache, another notable figure, also learned silversmithing from Atsidi Sani and some of the local smiths. Atsidi Chon, who learned silversmithing from his brother-in-law, Grey Moustache, is thought to be the first Navajo to set turquoise in silver. The skills of silversmithing spread to Zuni and then First Mesa of Hopi in the 1880s. Not long after, traders such as the Fred Harvey Company, Wallace, and many others provided the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Rio Grande Pueblo artists with the raw materials of silver turquoise, shell, jet, and coral to create thousands of pieces for trading posts and the newly developed rail concessions in the southwest. This trade continues to be a huge part of the economy of the region today!

This was a brief insight into the Navajo jewelry making and notable artists who made the work extremely popular throughout America and elsewhere. For more posts on Navajo art and culture, keep checking with us!

Top 3 Purse and Bag Trends in 2020 That You Should Know

While 2020 has been quite unfriendly to most of us — owing to the current COVID-19 pandemic — you can’t turn your head away from 2020’s purse trends, even though you are, in all likelihood, not going out displaying your handbag for a few more weeks. The year has brought a never-seen, fresh array of purses and handbags collection that is more than ideal to suit any outfit and catch more eyes in the crowd. 

Let’s dive into the top 3 purses and handbag styles that are popular in 2020:

Navajo Coin Purses

Navajo art has earned a lot of attention lately primarily because of the significance it holds for the Dine people and the use of vibrant colors, symbols, and textures, which reflects Mother Nature one way or another. Following its popularity, few brilliant minds brought it on handbags and purses, imprinting each piece with unique, meaningful Navajo art. And people love Navajo coin purses to such an extent that they are unlikely to go out of style for the next couple of years. 

Quilted bags

Quilted bags of varied sizes and colors dominated the runways, from Alexander McQueen to Burberry to A.W.A.K.E. Mode. This style is sure to add an air of sophistication to your overall personality, regardless of your outfit. While you may think of it as old-world, it is going to be the thing of the year, showing that old eventually becomes new, especially when it comes to fashion. 

Frame bags

After Navajo coin purses and quilted handbags, frame bags that comprise a metal frame to support the leather of the bag are the next big thing in 2020. If you look at any of the local thrift stores, the chances are you will come across a range of frame bags, designed and decorated to suit your specific preference. They were also seen gathering applause on the runways, proving that people still love them in 2020.

Final note

If you think 2020 has been nothing but cruel to us, you might want to have a good look at the purse and handbag trends, including Navajo coin purses, it has brought, and feel good about displaying your arm candy when the pandemic is over. 

A Brief Insight into Navajo Nation and What Makes it Special

Covering portions of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico, Navajo Nation is a place where you get introduced to the astonishing art and culture of the Navajo or as they call themselves —The Dine! The Dine or The People of Navajo form a large and vibrant American Indian nation. In fact, the Navajo Reservation is the largest of them all — about the size of the state of West Virginia. You will never forget the things you learn and the appreciation you gain of a culture like Navajo that is unfamiliar to many. The Navajo nation also opens the door to an interest in and an appreciation for other cultures and people groups who are our neighbors on this increasingly small planet.

What Makes Navajo Nation Special

Navajo Nation is special in so many different ways. Even after centuries, the community resists changing and not a lot has been changed since the Navajo first became popular. Navajos are known globally for their beautiful art and thoughtful, striking, and intriguing designs. The designs tend to have strong geometric patterns, and symbolic and realism are reflected in the artwork that brings you much closer to Mother Nature. Not just the United States, the artwork is unique even amongst the different Native American tribes. Be it sand painting, basketry, or weaving, the Navajos are one of the pioneers whose idea inspired generations and it still continues to do so. A variety of Navajo inspired items like jewelry, rugs, mugs, Navajo pattern trifold wallet etc. can be found online. If we talk about the Navajo language, it is as unique as their traditions and culture. In fact, it was used as a code language in World War II as a secret weapon for marine missions.

If you want to make the centuries-old Navajo art a part of your lifestyle, there are a lot of cool items you can shop for. Native American beaded wallets feature Navajo-inspired designs and offer you the perfect combination of style and functionality. Get your hands on them!

Importance of Beadwork in Navajo Culture

Navajo people are known for designing jewelry using stones and beads. In Native American Culture, the significance of beadwork is not limited to creating visually appealing, colorful designs only. Their skillful work of beads also represents their rich culture and significant history.

Navajo jewelry making art form dates back centuries but has evolved with time. The beadwork and their designs were inspired by the customs and beliefs of the tribe.

What material did they use to make beaded jewelry?

In the early days, Navajo people used natural stones, pearls, shells, and bones to create beads to create Navajo beaded bracelets, necklaces, and chokers. They gave the shape to beads using handmade stone tools and wood, which was a time-consuming process.

What was the game-changer?

Originally, they use large beads to create accent jewelry. But when European trading revolutionized the beadwork of Native American, Navajo people started using small glass beads to create jewelry. The introduction of pre-made glass beads reduced the preparation time for creating beads and made it easier for tribe people to use more beads in a single design.

Besides, small glass beads open the gates of creativity, allowing people to create new beadwork designs and incorporate more colors in a single design. Soon the demand for trade beads increased and people, eventually, started using beads to create other items like bags, clothes, moccasins, and tipis.

The importance of beadwork today

Even today, the beadwork is highly respected in Native American culture, including Navajo culture. Still, the art form is prominent among the tribal people. The use of beadwork is seen in costumes that people wear during Native American celebrations and dances. Even people buy beaded jewelry like Navajo beaded bracelets as accessories and add different designs to their wardrobe collection. 

Besides beaded jewelry, there are Navajo sterling silver cuff bracelets and Navajo rug-designed wallets and mugs that people prefer to buy for themselves or give as gifts to someone 

Navajo Symbols and Associated Meanings

Knowing your history is as important as being aware of the most sought after new technologies. After all, technology has never been about forgetting your roots! While history is a lot about learning from the mistakes of our forefathers, it is also about drawing inspiration from them. Talking about inspiration, Navajo art, which goes back to the Navajo tribe, is truly inspirational. Today, the Navajo tribe inhabits the southwestern US and boasts of a rich culture. Navajo art has come to occupy an important place in today’s modern art realm. From Navajo coin purse to Navajo art on coffee mugs and wall hangings, you encounter a little of Navajo everywhere.

The essence of being Navajo is beautifully depicted by Navajo artisans. They have depicted Navajo art on coin purses, rugs, shawls and what not. Different meanings are associated with various symbols and patterns used by Navajo artisans. Navajo art is an amazing blend of history and proficiency. Exotic color palettes and prominent themes used in Navajo art are not only aesthetically pleasing but also reflect this native American tribe’s history, spirituality, and legends!

Let us try to understand the meanings associated with some designs used by Navajo artisans:

*Diamond and triangle are two of the earliest designs used by Navajo weavers. These design elements that were incorporated into wearing blankets are still quite popularly utilized in contemporary Navajo rugs. Elders of the community will tell you that the diamond depicts the Navajo homeland also referred to as Dinétah. Four corners of the diamond symbolize the four sacred corners of Dinétah that are marked by four sacred mountains.

*Triangles, on the other hand, are considered to be the basic building block of Navajo design. When placed one upon another, triangles come to stand for prayer feathers or songs. Navajo coin purse, a relatively new idea, also adorn these designs!

*The ‘spirit line’ emerged as an important element with many Navajo weavers after 1900. The main reason being the request from traders for borders around the weavings done for them. Weavings were being sold using the trading post system by this time and most traditional Navajo weavers were worried that their creative spirit will get trapped within the weaving and they wouldn’t be able to weave any further. The ‘spirit line’ is just a tiny strand of yarn consisting of contrasting colors flowing from the inner design to the outer edge of the weaving.

Another design element used by Navajo artists is the symbol of lightning. Navajo mythology dictates that not only was lightning used to make tools for weaving but it also helped define the power of a particular rug or blanket!

If you want to make a style statement each time you walk out of the house, just carry a Navajo coin purse and trust us you will be sorted! Visit NAVAJO ARTIST and checkout some elegant and enamoring Navajo art on a coin purse and be enthralled.