SOUTHWESTERN PRODUCTS
Southwestern gifts carry a magic with them that brightens and enlightens everyone’s day. We have a wide range of products from jewelry to kachina dolls, and peace pipes and blankets.
I admire indigenous peoples, their simple way of life, their spirituality and respect for all aspects of nature. It seems repetitive to classify those things separately because together, they embody native traditions. Thirty years ago, necessity steered me to the retail business in Denver when opportunities to work as a wholesaler with native American artists fell into my lap. As time passed, I expanded my wholesale business into other areas.
During those years, I learned that Gallup New Mexico is the largest retailer of native American products in the world. I also learned of the many international scams operated by unethical merchandisers to outsource native American knock-off products and sell them around the world.
These knockoff scams devastate native American artists who provide for their families with their beautiful creations. When wholesalers buy cheap knock offs and pass them on as native-made, the real artists in America cannot compete, and are often forced to turn to another means of work to provide for their families.
When I had my stores – one in Denver and one in Philadelphia – I went to great lengths to maintain the integrity of the products buying only from reputable dealers. All my artifacts had tags of authenticity with the federal census number of the native artist who created the piece as well as his signature.
Years later, I managed a thrift store in Tucson as a source of revenue for the homeless shelter I built and managed. I returned to Gallup and reestablished old business acquaintances. By now, many of the children had grown up and managed the businesses I knew that their parents owned and operated. The young adults continued to honor and exercise the same values that their parents had.
Last year, I tried my hand again and set up a little kiosk outside the canteen at the VA here in Prescott. I really enjoyed what I did. Sales were acceptable, but what I enjoyed the most were the new friends I made along the way.
While I don’t have the time or financial resources to open a store dedicated to native American artwork, I love the business so much that I decided to focus one aspect of Carl’s Corner in Prescott on native American items.
The products I have are primarily Navajo or Zuni creations and fall into several categories.
- Rings
- Bracelets
- Necklaces
- Earrings
- Pendants
- money clips
- Belt buckles and other jewelry
- Kachina dolls
- Peace pipes
Although not necessarily native-made, I have many southwestern-style products such as handbags, serapes, jackets, and rugs. If you are looking for something special that I don’t have in stock, I will be pleased to find it for you.
We have recently opened our online store that displays items by category that you can purchase online. We are adding items daily, so check back frequently.
If you have an interest in these types of Southwestern products, I invite you to stop by my house and view the full display of products. I will pass on savings to you that you won’t get in retail stores. That is my promise to you.