Southwestern Souvenirs

This year’s Indian Market was less crowded in the morning, although the word was that serious collectors were still buying. Many of these purchases occur in the hotels where dealers hold open house. Prices were fairly high, including all the categories. Frankly, compared to other years, I was underwhelmed.

An interesting note: I saw fewer heishi sellers from Kewa Pueblo than in the past, and fewer beaders and fetish carvers. Jewelry remained predominant. Prices for adornment were definitely higher than what one found at the Heard Museum Guild Fair and Indian Market in March. Pottery seemed strong , a trend that has been steady for a while. 

Below is what you need to have when touring SWAIA Indian Market.

Because the desire to buy at low prices is so ingrained in some Indian arts consumers, disgruntled parties refer to this market as “Indian Mark Up.” Nevertheless, it’s important to try to understand how critical it is that Native artists get a fair price for what they bring. As mentioned before, many artists and craftspeople do not have an outlet to sell their work during the rest of the year. They create their items for sale specifically for this show. When they are paid directly by a person, this money goes into their pocket; they avoid a middleman, such as a trader or dealer, who will extract a percentage of the price in advance.

Some collectors, including myself, actually don’t really like Indian Market precisely because great work is on sale to the highest bidder, and we don’t have the funds to compete with certain fellow collectors. Many collectors and enthusiasts go to Indian Market with a budget, and usually lose out on pieces they’d really have liked to own. I remember such an experience many years ago when I first started collecting. The jeweler Ray Tracey had made a fabulous pink coral ring I really wanted. He saw me eyeing it and gallantly pulled it out and slipped it onto my finger with a flourish. It fit like it was made for me. Holding my breath, I asked, “How much?”

He said, “$2,000.”

I remember crying for half an hour on line for the bathroom at the La Fonda Hotel.