The Elusive Naja

While your naja looks beautiful coupled with your silver beads, I think this is an eye catching combination due to the pattern of the cuttlefish bone texture emulating the discs on your new Lita Atencio necklace. The pattern and hung necklace are almost like mirror images, super cool to my eye! :+1:

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I hadn’t thought of that; the heishi mimicking the silver texture. I did wear them together today, it hangs pretty long which I like.

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Well now you have to post a picture of Sage.
+/- Naja.

I appreciate all the info about Cortez and the surrounding areas, too. I passed through Cortez once on my way to Mesa Verda in 2017, but we didn’t stop. Now I’m really sorry I missed the opportunity to shop at Noteh-Dineh. I hadn’t heard of the other places you mentioned, but would love to check them out if I make it back.

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I will try when I return home. Heading toward MI to visit my mom.
Cortez is a neat town. Do visit Mancos too while on the area. If you like tufa cast check out Jeff Dement. He is a Mancos local.

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I’ll wave at you from here in NE IN! That’s not far from us, and one of my brother-in-laws lives in Livonia MI (SW Detroit suburb).

My mom and I shopped many years ago at Noteh-Dineh, and she bought a lovely pin (which I gave to my riding instructor/dear friend). I’ve been to Mesa Verde five times (it’s one of my favorite National Parks), but always stayed at the Far View Lodge, and never really spent much time in Cortez, however I always think it looks like a cute town when we’re driving through. We were at Mesa Verde in '21, but I had spent the budget on a rug from Toadlena, and a cuff from Cowboys and Indians Antiques, so I didn’t even want to be tempted :laughing:

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My mom is in Monroe county. Near the Ohio line at Toledo. It’s where I grew up.

Notah-Dineh had a LOT of Ray Lovato while we were there. They had new pieces and vintage ones like the one I bought. Next time you’re in the area, be sure to go.

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Now this is an unusual cast Naja:

But wait….its a ring!

I could NEVER wear this​:persevering_face:. I’d like it as just a Naja. But for those of you who love large unusual rings, this one is at auction through Retro Roadshow Auctions. A friend told me about it; we were discussing which of us would outbid the other - Not!!! :laughing:

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That looks rather dangerous…:flushed_face:

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I love a simple lone naja, though I only have one, recently acquired. I bought this one virtually from Gary Custer at the Heard Museum Fair earlier this year. I’ve gotten a lot of wear out of it since and love how bold and powerful it feels.

I hope to get some more; I’ve been eying Jesse Robins’ najas for a while.

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@OrbitOrange I love this! The short chain really makes it stand out.

I have a sweet spot where I like my pendants to hang …you have it just right! :heart:

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Your Gary Custer naja is beautiful, @OrbitOrange. It’s tough to beat great castings. :+1:

Jesse’s work is incredible, and I, for one, fully endorse acquiring one of his najas. :innocent:

I’m still kicking myself for not stepping up to the plate for this one from last year…

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Thanks!

The great thing about paperclip chains is that they are 100% adjustable. This one is a little longer but I just set it wherever I want.

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Stunning! Congrats. Looks great on the chain, too. A naja by itself is such a laid back but still impactful look.

I’m with you about Jesse’s najas, which I saw years ago, when he was just starting out and not seen everywhere—this was at Four Winds Gallery. Dang it I should’ve gotten one then.

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Beautiful. I love his work.

As I have been reading through the books I recently bought on historic Native American jewelry, I see that it was typical early on for Natives to wear just the naja on beads (yours looks lovely on the chain) so you are just going updated old school!

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Fabulous naja OO!!! As others mentioned I really like it on a shorter chain. I’m also a fan of simple manas on paper clip chains! I’ve always warn mine on a longer chain, but love the shorter chain look on you! And I agree completely about Jesse’s work. I’ll definitely check his work at SF market this year!

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@OrbitOrange Very nice choice! I am drawn to the Custer family’s work. You wear it well.

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