.new blue.bird shoulder bag.

Made by Venaya Yazzie, New Mexico artist
Photo courtesy of Venaya Yazzie 2016

.new blue.bird shoulder bag.

w/screen printed design

made by Venaya Yazzie

#yazzgrlart #nmartist


for purchase go to
https://squareup.com/market/venaya-yazzie/bluebird-beautyway-shoulder-bag

Kewa earrings of Beauty

Pueblo-style earrings from Santo Domingo, NM

Truly, New Mexico holds the key to 'Beauty.'

This southwestern state is home to many Indigenous desert southwest tribal people. They inlcude: Jicarilla Apache, Mescalero Apache, Navajos from the northern and eastern region of the Navajo Nation, and the Canoncito Band of Navajos and Alamo Navajos, and then there is all the Pueblo people along the Rio Grande River.

The best of all Indigenous jewelry can be is made in this wonderful 'land of enchanment' New Mexico, USA. I personally would not live anywhere else, New Mexico will always be my home, its sky and sandstone cliffs reflect my soul.

I am inspired above all by the jewelry my Native people make. I buy it and treasure it whether its hanging in my jewelry collection or wearing it on my person. I was initially inspired to create this blog because of Indigenous jewelry.  I have pictured here a new addition to my earring collection. This pair was purchased by a Pueblo artisan from the village of Santo Domingo, or Kewa, as they call themselves.

I just wanted to share such 'Beauty.'

In a good way.

Masani and mePhoto

Photo credit: Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The story of my maternal grandmother concerns: nomadic life, boarding school, religion, arranged marriage, and so much more.

I often find myself in awe of her life. When I find myself feeling sorry for me, I think of all my grandmother has been through in her life. She is a Navajo heroine, a true woman of strength and dignity. She is the model for my life as an adult. I feel so very blessed to be able to care for her in her golden age, she blesses my spirit on a daily basis. But, above all by her expression and grace she has humbled my human condition of pride. When my grandmother enters a room my ego goes running away like a coyote with its tail between its legs.

In the Navajo sphere of life, the family unit has the understanding and importance of the role of the first-born female granddaughter to the first-born daughter.  In this case I am the 'first-born granddaughter' and my mother is the 'first-born daughter' - to my grandmother Jane. I am identified as 'tsoi.' This is a term of endearment, when my grandmother or any female elder or clan affiliated aunt expresses this to me, its about my identity as a continuing legacy of them, our Navajo clan.

When I was  younger woman I did not respect this term, in fact I did not want to live up to it. I wanted my own way, my own choices of longing to be an "American" - following the life of modern society, which led me down the path  of not thinking about my grandparents. But, thankfully I seen the light, and I feel I am understanding and respecting my role better.

My role as 'tsoi' asks me to be a caretaker for my grandmother and I do not hesitate. The elder woman express that its a 'good thing' for me to be present, cause that is why I am here, to ensure the care of my maternal grandmother. I am blessed by this identity.

Beauty all Around.

Handmade earrings by Venaya Yazzie

Handmade earrings by Venaya Yazzie

I grew up amidst the work of women who diligently hand-crafted clothing, jewelry, rugs and other cultural arts.

As an adult I continue that family and cultural tradition of jewelry making. These earrings pictured are some of my newest editions, they are made of desert southwest materials including: shell and turquoise.

Navajo women and traditional games

Historic photo of Navajo women
Photo source: Internet

This capture is 'beautyful' for many reasons. I first adore this historical photograph because its a true portrayal of tribal desert Navajo women in the late 20th century. They are amidst their Indigenous social behavior via their participation in the Navajo traditional games of chance, this one called the Tsidil, or loosely translated 'Navajo Stick Game.' I have seen this type of game played in my youth while visiting the Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance grounds o the Ute reservation near Cortez, Colorado. It was at that time that the Navajo men and women would play these traditional games together. This game in particular is played by women only, and is rooted in the traditional Navajo origin stories of Creation.

The second reason I love this photo is because it displays honest Navajo women's Indigenous Adornment at its finest. These women are so very 'beautyful' in their Navajo velvet and cotton skirt garments and their fine Navajo silver and turquoise jewlery. They are beauty! As you may notice some of the women wear their traditional scarves on their heads, many elder Navajo women practice this kind of head adornment. Oh, this image is superb and I smile everytime I look at it. It blesses my spirit.

I do not know the origin of this photograph or who took the picture. I found this image on the Internet. If you know, please comment.

Bless.

Heirloom Navajo Turquoise Rings

Venaya wearing Heirloom Navajo rings.
Photo courtesy of Yazzie Family 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

My life has been blessed by turquoise.

Raised in the immediate company of my Navajo matriarchs I was very aware of Navajo Adornment, and was often 'gifted' silver and turquoise jewelry by my great aunts and grandmothers.

To be sure these ring I have posted an image of are above all my favorites. I was given the square ring by my maternal grandmother who was initially given the ring by her mother, my great-grandmother Louise. I wear this ring on a daily basis.

The oval ring was my maternal grandmother's which she gave to me at my undergraduate college graduation. And the smaller ring was initially owned by one great aunt.

I treasure these rings and were with with the notion of the Navajo matriarch and how their cultural ways of being left their essence with these object and therefore I feel its a true statement that turquoise holds the power to heal and to gain strength. They bless me.

Bless,

Venaya

Earrings by Venaya Yazzie

EarART Earrings made by Venaya Yazzie 2016

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Get some for your special Valentine!

These are made on a wood base and are hand-painted accent earrings, each one is truly unique.

This earring design is available for purchase at my Square Store, please visit soon.

Blessings

Ear Art Designs by Venaya

Papa

My late maternal grandfather Alfred Yazzie Sr.
Photo courtesy of  Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2016

This season of the American calendar is called January. But, for many of the Navajo, this season is expressed as 'yas nilth tees' - its the time when the 'snow is cooked by the sun.' For me this time reminds me of my late maternal grandfather. He left this earth two years ago now. I miss his presence in my life, and I always think of him everyday it seems.

I just wanted to share his smile with you. His birthday was this time of year on the 18th of January.

Rest in Peace Papa.