For many years, I had been collecting Native American jewelry and accessories from antique shops and stores near to my home, but it wasn’t until I finally visited the Southwest for the first time in 2010 that I realized that treasure hunting directly from the source would be the most rewarding. Santa Fe, with its plethora of street vendors, galleries and stores, ranging from consignment shops to custom boutiques, and hosting traditional and contemporary artisans, is the most fertile hunting ground I’ve found for one of my greatest passions- the style of the American Southwest.
My gems are not only of the mineral variety. I am equally enamored with belts, buckles and boots. When I am walking through the streets, galleries and market stalls in Sante Fe, I rarely set out with something specific in mind. I wait for something to speak to me. I see a color, a shine or a texture or, better yet, a combination of all three. I always respond to the beautiful hues of turquoise. As of late, I am drawn to amethyst and garnet, and I find that these stones are used by a number of my favorite artists. Each artist has a signature touch: the hummingbirds of Philbert Begay; Myron Panteah’s touch of gold; Shawn Bluejacket’s artfully mismatched earrings, and Keri Ataumbi’sbold, contemporary designs.
Outside of Indian Market, my favorite haunt for jewelry is the Santa Fe outlet of my good friend and Western style icon, Carolyn Pollack. There you can find jewelry from her eponymous collection, her Southwest inspired pieces and her collaborations with many of the Native American artists whose work she supports. The last time I visited Carolyn’s boutique, I bought six pieces, including my favorite labradorite drop earrings from her eponymous collection. (And if you’re curious, there will be much more about Carolyn and her company coming soon.)
For vintage accessories, I favor a consignment shop in Santa Fe, Act 2, located just around the corner from La Posada, one of our favorite hotels in the city. A couple of years ago at Act 2, I scored a major Zuni Sterling Silver buckle on a nicely worn leather belt. My newest addition is my huge Sleeping Beauty turquoise belt buckle, bought from a very good friend with a discerning eye who acquired the buckle in Tucson. For what seemed like ages, I searched for the perfect belt for the buckle, and finally found it on my last trip to Santa Fe this past August at Tom Taylor, located just off the Plaza.
There is something both liberating and joyful about the uniform of Santa Fe- a place where you never worry about too many accessories, or going over the top. Brightly colored fabrics, a great hat, blue jeans and boots, layered with tons of bracelets, rings and necklaces, all finished with a bold earring is my ensemble of choice for every day in the Southwest.