I have been looking for the perfect cross pendant for years. I have an inlaid one that I love, but it pretty much only fits on a leather cord (bail is small). Many that I have looked at were either too small, too big, too expensive, or too ornate for my taste. Then I saw this one at Twin Rocks (I’m calling it my Goldilocks cross since it was just right). The artist is Kary Begay, and she learned silversmithing from her late husband Steven.
I read that she likes to use Navajo rug designs in some of her jewelry, and that was one of the things that drew me to this cross (they had a couple for sale). I also like that it has a nice weight to it.
I knew it would go on my smaller heishi necklaces, but didn’t think it would slide onto any of my beads. But I got home and surprise, surprise! It fits on this set.
I was really happy when I got home, and found out they fit. Even though the store had one of her crosses on some beads, I thought they were smaller than mine. It doesn’t fit on my other Navajo beads (they are rounder so they won’t quite go through), but one is fine with me
Thank you! I also love them together, and you can take partial credit for it since you helped convince me to go back to Twin Rocks My hubby is convinced that’s the main reason I wanted to go to Bluff, which is partly true but not completely; I love so much else in that area.
The first time we were there was probably the mid-'90s. My guidebook has this photo in the front of the book, and the trading post is reviewed farther back.
It’s apparently changed some from what is in my guide book, and this building is a cute little coffee shop. An adorable Navajo gal working there chatted with me in the morning, and told me she liked “my bling” - gotta love that The other building (which I don’t have a picture of in my phone, it’s still in my camera which I haven’t uploaded) had Native American art, and it was never open during the hours when I had time to check it out. But the coffee was very tasty!
Here’s a different video from Twin Rocks about another one of Derek’s cuffs. The owner of the post goes into a little more in detail regarding how it was made. I know it’s not exactly like mine, but I found it very interesting now that you and @mmrogers discussed how my piece was crafted. Thought you might enjoy this.
I had never heard of Searchlight Turquoise until this video.
Could have been done either way since the area directly underneath the appliqué wouldn’t be stamped. I’m going to say probably after since the nature of the visible stamp work might cause the metal to stress and separate in the thinnest worked areas as the middle is bent out from the center to create the center separation.
Thank you! I had taken a pic the day before in bright sunshine. We stopped by the next morning and with the sun at my back and the clouds the other direction, I knew it would look better.
I really wish we could have gone in the other building which had the Native American art (although I had pretty much spent my budget at Twin Rocks ), but the Navajo gal working at the coffee shop (the building in the picture) said the owner doesn’t have set hours, and you never never really know when she’s going to open it.
I was just telling my hubby I really want to go back to Gallup (haven’t been there in a loooong time), and visit Perry Null since I’ve never been. I just looked at their website, and what do you know! Right on the home page where they have new items in is this beautiful squash by Derrick Gordon! Total coincidence!
thank you for sharing. I hope to someday do the great road trip out west and visit some trading posts. this will be going on my "to do"list. Your cuff is fabulous.
You are so welcome, thank you! I hope you can get out there and see all the crazy beautiful places - and shop for jewelry of course Whenever you head west let us know, and I’m sure we’ll have all kinds of tips!
It can be more expensive to shop at the stores/trading posts vs online, but I love the experience, and learning from some of the store owners. So I just really save up!
@Ziacat…I think the Bluff area is becoming one of your favorite places, just like it’s one of mine. Can’t beat the red rock bluffs and the wonderful old historical structures, Cow Canyon especially.
Thanks for the great videos by Barry. Years ago he was at Twin Rocks much more, but, IMO Steve is much more personable; he really enjoys talking with visitors at the store. They both are very knowledgeable about turquoise (and Navajo baskets😄). Years ago, Barry looked at some old turquoise nuggets I was thinking of purchasing. but other than being natural he wouldn’t go out on a limb to identify it (which I appreciate). I also have a few Navajo pictorial baskets I purchased at Twin Rocks.
Anyway, great to hear about your experience and see your purchases. You did great!
@Bmpdvm, it is most definitely becoming one of my favorite areas! If you like Tony Hillerman, the Bluff area was featured in Thief of Time, and in one of Anne Hillerman’s latest. We went down around sunset to the Sand Island Petroglyphs which are about 5 minutes away. We were the only ones there, and it was beautiful. This pic covers just a very small area of the panel.
It was Steve we chatted with. I learned from the videos that they have a stash of turquoise cabs that they give (their words) to the artists who then make an item to sell. The stone in my cuff was described by Barry as “old high grade Blue Gem.”
While we were there I mentioned that I have a cuff by Charlie John, and Steve said he hadn’t heard from him for awhile, and wondered how he is. They have a number of his pieces in their short videos, and said he made them quite a few items to sell. In one video Barry said Mr. John has changed styles through the years. He first worked in heavy silver that he stamped (which is like my cuff), but now does more overlay. I’ve learned a lot from their YouTube channel.
Do you still have the baskets? I’d love to see them
@Ziacat, You are bringing back so many wonderful memories!! There are such wonderful petroglyphs areas in the Bluff area! We thought about stopping by Sand Island on our last trip; wish we had! It’s been way too long since I was there. We also hiked out to some lesser known areas in BLM land with a Bluff resident we met through a friend. Are you familiar with the Wolfman Petroglyph Panel? It’s another great one.
Yes I have several Navajo baskets. My favorites feature dance or ceremonial designs:
“Four Holy People with Four Sacred Plants” by Alicia Nelson. This basket was displayed at the Museum of Arts and Culture in Santa Fe some time ago:
These would photograph better on the wall, but we took everything down acouple weeks ago when we painted. I just haven’t gotten around to putting them back up😊.
I’m not familiar with Charlie John. I’d be interested in seeing yours!
Your baskets are beautiful, thanks for posting them. The only basket we have is a traditional Navajo wedding basket we bought pawn at Shush Yaz in Gallup many years ago.
Here is my Charlie John cuff I bought many years ago also at Shush Yaz (also pawn). I’ve posted it on here previously.
I haven’t seen your cuff before, but it’s gorgeous! Beautiful turquoise and I love the cut of the cab and setting! Is this typical of his style? I’ll have to look at more of his work.
Thanks! I love it also. I don’t know what the turquoise is (I didn’t used to know what things to ask except about the artist - I got this pawn in prob the late '90s), but when I posted it here and asked, Jason thought very possibly Indian Mountain. It’s one of my favorite cuffs.
No, it isn’t typical of his present style, except that he generally uses one lovely stone in a central setting. In one of the Twin Rocks vids, Barry mentioned that Mr.John went through phases, earlier was like this - heavy silver with stamping, and now he does overlay.
The other building (which I don’t have a picture of in my phone, it’s still in my camera which I haven’t uploaded) had Native American art, and it was never open during the hours when I had time to check it out. But the coffee was very tasty!
