We just finished up 3 days in Albuquerque (and surrounding area), and yesterday we met up with @Stracci. Oh my gosh, we had the best time. Lunch (green chile burgers) and jewelry shopping (bet that was a surprise) most definitely were the plan. Stracci had on her Anthony Bowman cuff which I love (along with all her other fabulous stuff), so I kept hoping to find one similar. We went to Rio Grande Trading, Palms Trading, and Albuquerque Pawn. They were all great stores, and I almost bought a small Dino Garcia cuff at Palms, but just couldn’t quite pull the trigger. I had already shopped in Gallup (I’ll post that after we get home eventually), so was being a bit careful. But…at Albuquerque Pawn I found the perfect Anthony Bowman cuff (yes another cuff - my holdout was only temporary)!
I wore it to Bandelier today, and when I was in the visitor center an exhibit in the museum talked about the volcanic tuff (same material used in tufa casting) that makes up the canyon walls. So I thought it appropriate to take pics of my cuff on a rock of tuff (tufa). The designs in the cuff remind me of the ruin walls and some pictographs and petroglyphs that were on the cliffs.
@Ziacat That’s a spectacular cuff! To me, I see a design that speaks to movement and energy. (The perfect hiking cuff .) I hope that you’ll enjoy wearing it often. Congrats!
@Ziacat Yes, we had a great time! No surprise that I took you for green chile cheeseburgers, so iconic to NM!
Gee, that cuff looks gorgeous posing on the tufa! It was a great choice. They had lots of beautiful jewelry at Abq Pawn. And the bench beads were fabulous as well, with good prices, too. The beautiful and kind owner is a good sales lady, too. No pressure.
My hubby says we should skip Indian Market and spend our money there! But that may be his plantar fasciitis talking…….
Awesome share, @Ziacat! It’s really enjoyable tagging along with you on your trip. It sounds and looks like you’re having a blast. Your new cuff is just beautiful: I love the contrast of the rough cast and polished surfaces.
Absolutely incredible photography! Such a killer idea to place your new cuff on the material it was born inside.
Also neat to hear about you and @Stracci’s enjoyable time together. Being brought together online is a treat, but getting to spend time with others from this community in person is a real blessing.
Wow, what a stunning cuff. I really like how you captured the original tufa and your finish piece of wearable art. Well done!
So happy you were able to spend time with @Stracci! I feel like there may have been some enabling going on.
I am chomping at the bit waiting to see the rest of your beauties!
Yay, how fun! I’m having a little FOMO and jealousy thinking back to my fun shopping day with @Stracci last summer and knowing I won’t get out there this year. But also super happy that you guys got to meet up and do some shopping. I love your new cuff, and you got such fabulous photos of it at Bandolier! Did you guys get Laguna Burger? And @Stracci did you find anything? Is Rio Grande Trading the place that we went to as well, I think kind of near Palms?
And @Ziacat, what all did you do at Bandolier? I’ve gone twice and done the Pueblo Loop Trail and Alcove Trail and continued on a little farther into Frijoles Canyon which was worthwhile. I’m thinking next time I need to do the Falls Trail as well as Tsankawi ruins.
You shoulda been there @OrbitOrange! We would’ve made a great team! The Three Sisters! (Squash, corn and beans, in NA cuisine…yes I read too many cookbooks…lol)
We had Laguna Burger, and it was delish!
You and I didn’t go to Rio Grande Trading because I did not know about it at the time. I thought it was a touristy souvenir place. Boy was I wrong. Or I definitely would have dragged you over there! Next time, for sure!
What?! A jewelry shopping opportunity in ABQ you didn’t know about? I don’t believe it. What was the place I was thinking of? You guys were slacking slightly only making it to three places though. You and I made it to six by my count! Was my belt gone from ABQ Pawn?
I too had the pleasure of meeting @stracci while in ABQ for a short bit last week. Living in Albuquerque, she’s bound to run into her fellow Turquoise People! And how gracious she is about it!
Rio Grande Trading was on my list, and what a great place. (My Zuni hummingbird necklace was waiting for me there, and a couple other things as well )
@tepowell It was fun meeting you and your husband! And I’m so glad you got some beautiful things while here in Abq! I’m always up for meeting Turquoise People!
I apologize, @Stracci, I’m very good at confusing people.
I should have clarified when I quoted you that my intent was to simply tie in Abq Pawn’s website with that photo.
I’m afraid it’s nothing too dramatic or romantic, rather plain, really. In November of 2024, I was talking with the owner of Peyote Bird, Mark Alexander, and he shared with me that he had just decided to let that belt go. After discussing it and seeing more photos, I ended up buying it from him. He must have acquired it from Abq Pawn?
Please, @OrbitOrange, tell me this isn’t the belt you were looking at.
Thanks y’all! Been a busy day so I’m thanking all at once.
@OrbitOrange, I’ll add a post later about the park and what we did.
@Ravenscry, I’m sorry, I’m still confused. So did you buy that belt in '24? Because I think the one that OO was looking at is still on the site, and it was last year that she was considering buying it.
Nevermind me, I should have read things a bit closer. It wouldn’t be the first time that OO and I were looking at the same piece, and I figured with my luck…
Looking forward to all you share! This has been such a treat to follow along!
So I still don’t understand; I think I’m kind of slow after a crazy busy day. You bought the one in '24 that is on the site that she looked at last year??? I don’t get how that’s possible unless you still don’t have it.
Such a killer idea to place your new cuff on the material it was born inside. 
What was the place I was thinking of? You guys were slacking slightly only making it to three places though. You and I made it to six by my count! Was my belt gone from ABQ Pawn?
)
