I’ve said it before, a woman can never have too much jewelry. Well some women anyway. And I’m one who’s addicted to jewelry. Every time I buy I say it’s my retirement. Well if I can ever part with it.
But after last year’s fire in Yarnell when I lost a shed full of ‘stuff’ including some jewelry I just wasn’t in the mode, or financial place, to buy more. Thank goodness most of my collection was safely in the RV at the North Rim.
This year seems to have changed that for me and some delightful pieces have come my way.
I am especially addicted to Native American jewelry, silver and turquoise specifically. On the way to training on the South Rim we stopped for lunch at the Cameron Trading Post. They carry every kind of native art imaginable, rugs, pottery, paintings and of course jewelry. Plus they always have a case of two full of ‘pawn’ jewelry, my real weakness. Although I already own a couple of Zuni petit-point cuffs they are difficult to find that will fit my skinny wrist. And this one is a perfect fit.
Plus they had another cuff that is the twin to one I recently lost.
Even in South Africa I bought a few items. But mostly because the few pieces I had along were stolen in my bathroom bag. Including a cuff like the one above and a sweet old round petit-point pendant.
Coming home yesterday I just had to stop at Jacob Lake Inn, a most favorite for it’s home-made cookies, milkshakes, and Native jewelry. My eye is immediately drawn to the pawn tags and I recognize a piece that’s been there for a while, a petit-point broche with the pin part broken off. Suddenly I see the answer to wear this as a pendant by hooking a chain on the rings that are still soldered to the back. And so it is added to my collection.
But I don’t wear it all as I collect and create jewelry and have enough to open a store. The bottom of this display case is lined with sterling silver rings of various sizes, mostly used as is the rest of the chains, pendants and watches.
I haven’t really made anything much since I started blogging. Now I just own a lot of marvelous semi-precious stone beads, glass seed beads, cabochons and rocks, plus all the findings and such to go with this craft including sterling silver wire for wrapping.
OK, so I’m addicted to jewelry. It could be worse. How about you? What are your addictions?
Some beautiful pieces there Gaelyn. You forgot to do my stone!! I am saving it for the next time you are here. 🙂
I’ll bring the wire next visit.
Thank you for posting this article. This is me. I like beautiful, artistic, vintage and striking jewelry. I buy items on trips and a piece to three pieces once a month. I have real gems and some beautiful costume jewelry. I am not in debt and I keep to a budget. I have a friend who does the same thing.
I get excited when I see a beautiful piece of jewelry and it is in my budget. lol
Wow you do have enough beautiful stuff to open a store but how could you part with it. I have a weakness for Native American earrings but have calmed it down since being on the road. Somehow I just don’t hike or kayak in earrings. And that seems to be all I do now. 🙂
I really only wear some of it but figure it won’t loose its value. Besides it’s silver. I don’t usually hike in jewelry either.
Wow! Amazing collection. I must admit I have a weakness for turquoise too, but just earrings. They’re the only jewelry I own.
Nina
As you can see, I like it all.
You definitely have some beautiful pieces; I love looking intently at the photos. I too like jewelry, earrings and necklaces, though I’ve got a couple of nice bracelets. Silver is for me, not so much gold, and a piece is ‘valuable’ to me if it has sentiment, not monetary value necessarily.
You’re going to get lost at Jacob Lake. They have a marvelous assortment.
Love your collection. I too have a soft sport for Native American jewellery. I also used to make traditional (to me) silver jewellery. Unfortunately all my equipment as well as collection of silver, gold & gemstones met the same fate as your shed.
Fire consumed a lot of tools for the future of learning silver smithing. But they can be replaced.
Yoh, you really have a big collection of jewelry. Love all the Native American stuff.
It’s so fun to wear.
Beautiful pieces ….I think it is like art….a collection. I bought a nice turq. necklace in Silver City and a ring in Bisbee…really like them but seldom wear them …I should though…don’t know why I keep saving for a rainy day….
I’ve always told people to wear their treasures or at least display them to be enjoyed.
Wow! I love every single piece. If I had even two cents to rub together I would have a collection like this too! When I was married a had a bit of gold jewelery, but never really liked it. What I have now is all “native” or antique (couple of pieces of my mom’s). I can see that if I ever make it your way I will need to have some spending money too!
Never was into gold. Good thing, or I’d own no jewelry. Have been collecting for decades and love the feel of the old stuff.
I love the Indian art and jewelry. My mother used to have a bracelet somewhat like the one I see in your photos. I’ve wondered many times whatever happened to that. I have a lot of the turquoise jewelry. I don’t buy it much anymore. Still wear it though.
My Mom gave me a couple pieces and I try to buy when it’s a good deal.
Your jewelry collection is beautiful! I love old pawn. I saw some beautiful pieces at Three Rivers Trading Post in New Mexico last weekend. I have a book about trading posts of the Southwest that has a lot of really good info about where to find authentic Native American jewelry, pottery, etc.
I also make jewelry. I have enough beads to open a store, too. I’m starting to get a really nice collection of turquoise but I’m having trouble parting with any of it so I mostly just use it now in pieces I make for my family. We were driving through Kayenta once and kept seeing these handmade signs that said “beads.” We followed them and ended up at this little trailer, owned by a Native American woman, that was just crammed full of beautiful turquoise. She was great to talk to and could tell me where he had bought everything-which mines the turquoise came from, etc. I love learning about the different types of turquoise from different mines so that was really cool for me.
That store at Jacob Lake is one of my favorites, too. Anytime we are anywhere even remotely close, I always want to go there. I’ve even thought about checking into working there one summer but I’d probably spend more than I made.
What a special treat to learn from the locals. I dare not work at any place that sells Native jewelry as I’d owe them money.
I love Native American jewelry as well. After my Mom died, Dad gave me some of her pieces including some turquoise necklaces that were very nice. I enjoyed possessing them for several years but felt the need to pass them on so last Fall I gave them to my sister who actually wear them and who has three daughters who could have them later. So I felt pretty good about both phases, having them for a good long time and then giving them away. Strange I know but there it is.
Not strange at all. You were lucky to enjoy the native jewelry for a while and it’s nice to pass it on to others who will also appreciate it.
So gorgeous. The designs are extraordinary. I liked them very much.
OOOhhh…I would love to buy one of your necklaces if you ever make any! My weaknesses are books and fabric! I can never have enough of either one!
Thanks. Because I lost all this jewelry and the beads I’m not making anything now.