Ghost Bears and Spiderwebs (and Ghost Fish!) for Halloween

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

It's Halloween, and at The NDN Silver Blog, we may not have hobgoblins or wicked witches, but we do have ghost bears and spiderwebs. Also a ghost fish, believe it or not.

I have some edits to make later, linking to the actual items for sale; for inquiries, simply e-mail me through the Web site contact form for now. Every piece shown in the post is available for purchase, and each is stunningly beautiful.

Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are very much needed and are welcomed with our thanks.

#TBT: Indian Corn

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

It's #ThrowbackThursday at The NDN Silver Blog, and today, it's a seasonal spirit (along with some memories, some educational info, and a little indignation, too). The featured piece is a stunner, and although not from my own tradition, it has a way of making me more than a little nostalgic for one of the good parts of my childhood.

Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks.

All New: Waters Flow

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

All new at The NDN Silver Blog, it's one of those perfect pieces by Wings, a piece where everything comes together flawlessly. I want it. 

But it's meant for someone else, so shares of the post itself might help it find the person for whom Spirit intends it. Shares of Wings's main page are welcomed, too, with our thanks.

Turquoise Blue-Bloods

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

It's Turquoise Tuesday at The NDN Silver Blog, and today, it's not precisely royalty, but it is the blue-bloods of the stone (even though they show up in blue, and green, and even white).

Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks.

A programming note:  He has used up the last of his silver creating a few new pieces in time for the holiday shopping season. They're amazing. We'll be bringing you images of those in the days to come.

#NotYourRedskin, #NotYourMascot, #NotYourstoWhitewashAway

Image credit:  Mother Jones Magazine

On a day when I find myself, once again, in the unenviable position of having my life, my very self, whitewashed out of existence, I also find myself about to do something completely out of character: Root for the Dallas Cowboys.

Yes, it's the Washington Racists at Cowboy Stadium tonight, and while I have no love for Jerry Jones or any part of his organization, for once I hope Tony Romo's got his head on straight tonight. I don't know how much of the game we'll be able to watch; it's next to impossible for us to tolerate the redface and the fake war chants and the tomahawk chops anymore. But we'll at least be checking in, if only to support the #BraidUp/AIM Central Texas and #EONM protestors outside and inside the stadium. I may hit Facebook and the Twitters occasionally, if I feel the need to say something, so shares and retweets would be appreciated. It'll be more of the same on Sunday, since Haskell and other groups are apparently busily helping to provide cover to the Kansas City Thiefs. [Yes, I know it's not correct pluralization. It's still their name in this household.]

And I'll just say for the record, right here, right now:  I am not going away. I will continue to write, to speak, to be who and what I am, every day. I've danced this dance my whole life, and I'm not about to stop because my existence is inconvenient.

Holiday Gifts: A New Weekly Feature Taking Wing

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

Today at The NDN Silver Blog, it's the launch of a new weekly feature series for the holidays. Yes, I know, but the creative process requires lead time, and like Wings, our other artisans will be busy filling last-minute special orders closer to the holidays themselves.

Today, it's one of my favorites, a new-ish piece from our friend Randy.  Take a look; this little guy is very modestly priced, and has his own unique character.  Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are very much needed right now, and are welcomed with our thanks.

"In the Circle"

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

Today at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a very short feature, mostly a musing on one of Wings's simplest pieces, yet one carrying some of the greatest symbolism.

It's another hugely busy day, and we desperately need to make some sales, so shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, would be much appreciated.

Gifts: Animation.

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's the second installment in our new weekend miniseries on the gifts of life's journey.

I am swamped today already, so I'll just make our usual request for shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page. The bandwidth issue is fixed, and we really need to make some sales.

Thanks.

Tiny Bears

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

Now up at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a series of tiny tributes to Bear, that symbol of protection and healing. These are among my favorite of all the carvings in our inventory, despite being the most modestly-priced (by far — only $35-40 each!).

Come and take a look. Maybe you know someone who needs to see these beautiful little guys. For us, we're just hoping that they likewise protect the young bear who's visited us already this year and seems to be on his own. Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks.

#TBT: Old Woodwork, By Way of Stone

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

It's #ThrowbackThursday at The NDN Silver Blog, and we've got a photo of some amazing woodwork, along with images of some of its masters.

I have a long and busy day ahead of me, and I'm behind already, so I'll just ask folks to share the link: of the post itself, and of Wings's main page. 

Thanks.

A Little Morning Magic . . . .

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

It's a little morning magic today at The NDN Silver Blog. Just a feature of a piece in one of Wings's signature series, filtered through the lens of the dawn skies. It's one part meditation, one part imagery, with some photos to underscore the intensity of dawn's natural beauty here.

Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, welcomed with our thanks.

"Who's 'we,' white man?"

Image credit:  Mother Jones Magazine

So Matthew McConaughey, alleged hearthrob and celebrity flake extraordinaire, doesn't want the Washington R[acists] NFL team to have to change its name.

It’s not going to hurt me. It’s just….I love the emblem. I dig it. It gives me a little fire and some oomph. But now that it’s in the court of public opinion, it’s going to change. I wish it wouldn’t, but it will.

"Fire," huh?  And "oomph?"  What, exactly, is that, Matt?  Hey, I can call you Matt, right?  Even though I've never once seen you use it yourself, it's all good, right, because lots of guys named Matthew have let people call them that since, oh, at least the last 2,000 or so years, probably, and besides, I'm doing it to honor you.  Really.

Gah.

It gets better. And by "better," I mean ridiculous, natch:

Man, it’s twofold. What interests me is how quickly it got pushed into the social consciousness. We were all fine with it since the 1930s, and all of a sudden we go, “No, gotta change it”? It seems like when the first levee breaks, everybody gets on board. I know a lot of Native Americans don’t have a problem with it, but they’re not going to say, “No, we really want the name.” That’s not how they’re going to use their pulpit. It’s like my feeling about gun control: “I get it. You have the right to have guns. But look, let’s forget that right. Let’s forget the pleasure you get safely on your range, because it’s in the wrong hands in other places [emphasis added].

"WE were all fine with it?" Who's "WE," white man? 

Yeah, no. You're reading from a seriously wrong script, dude.

Turquoise Tuesday: On the Trail of the Sacred White Buffalo

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a very special edition of Turquoise Tuesday. We have Indians, of course, but also a ghost town, a sacred animal, and very puzzling mystery. Some aspects of it are solved; others not. But it coves a stunningly beautiful stone, and clears up a little of the misinformation rampant out there.

Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks. And, of course, since sales are very much needed right now, referrals are also very welcome: If you know someone in the market for a purchase of Indian jewelry or other Native art, please consider sending our link along to them. We have items ranging from $25 to $2,500, and a full spectrum of media and styles to choose from.

Thanks.

Glimpse In Return

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

It became necessary to add an update to today's post over at The NDN Silver Blog.

Every one in a while, an unexpected gift delivers itself.

"Glimpse"

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

New and now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, on this day it's a very personal meditation, as seen (and felt) through the lens of Wings's old film camera. 

On some days I feel as shy and skittish as the photo's subject, with nothing of his power and grace to support my own flight. Today, perhaps he's lent me a little of his.

As always, shares via the social-media buttons of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks.

That vision thing . . . umm . . . RING.

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Now up at The NDN Silver Blog, it's just a short little straightforward feature. And, yes, a wildly self-indulgent one; I gave myself this weekend to highlight personal favorites of mine, simply because they're my favorites.

Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks. And stay tuned: Later today, we'll have a couple dozen additional items up on the site, as well as a feature posted elsewhere, just in time for early holiday shopping.  I'll send the links around when it all goes live.

Gifts: Transformation.

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

Today at The NDN Silver Blog, it's the gift of transformation, manifested via Wings's preferred medium.

As happens occasionally — and thankfully, with remarkable rarity — it's a piece I confess to coveting. But it's meant for someone else, someone who perhaps needs this particular symbolism. It's simple, and powerful.

Take a look. Maybe you know someone undergoing their own transformation right now. And as always, shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed (and right now, very much needed).

"Little Feet."

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

Today at The NDN Silver Blog, it's something all new, small but very, very special. [Very modestly priced, too.]

Believe it or not, I manage to tie together children and corn, moccasins and medicine wheels. It's all in there, and it's nowhere nearly as contrived as it sounds; it all . . . grew organically, shall we say. [Those of you who know our gardening practices will get the joke in that last phrase.]

We need to make some sales, and the holidays are coming fast, so shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks.

#TBT: Toys! And not-toys.

Photo copyright Aji, 2014;
all rights reserved.

All new at The NDN Silver Blog — both new and very, very old, actually — it's toys!  Fully functional toys, I might add, one that makes a great holiday for kids from 3 (okay, maybe 13) to 103. With all the appropriate cautions about eyes, of course.

This one was fun to write.  But today's featured items are both inexpensive and in very short supply — there are only three, so get 'em while you can.  Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks, as always.

"Little Jewels"

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

Today at The NDN Silver Blog, it's little jewels, both literal and metaphorical: jewelry and its wearers, pint-sized. Nothing too long; just a brief meditation on the role of traditional jewelry for children in our cultures.

I know it seems early to say this; I'm nowhere near ready to begin thinking about the holidays myself. But since most of our clients tend to commission new custom pieces for holiday gifts rather than purchase from existing inventory, I need to remind folks to start thinking now about what they might want. It takes some time for him to design and create, and there's always a last-minute rush. (Every year, I invariably see very little of him during the day for the first three weeks of December, because he's working furiously in the studio to fill orders.) 

In the meantime, shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks. 

"The Nevada Greens"

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

It's still Turquoise Tuesday at The NDN Silver Blog, and today's entry is up at long last.

Actually, it's been up for a bit. Just as I posted it, I was summoned outside to help raise a section of fence. Yes, just the two of us, the old fashioned way, with a rope. It's chicken wire strung on widely spaced latillas, to keep the girls inside their range area. Over the last couple of weeks, Coyote has grabbed four of them — the last yesterday, in broad daylight, right in the open. The ravens and magpies tried to save her, but to no avail.

At any rate, i have a few minutes to spread the link around, so if you'd help with shares, we'd be grateful. It's an exploration of the Nevada Greens, and it's got some pretty cool imagery in it. Here's a link to the post itself, and here is Wings's main page.

Thanks.

On Indigenous People's Day, We Are #NotForSale

Photo copyright Aji, 2014; all rights reserved.

As promised, Wings's has issued a public statement today, choosing to speak on Indigenous People's Day to call for unity of spirit in action in  opposing appropriation and theft, and the ongoing cultural destruction inflicted by mascotry and minstrelsy, racism and redface.

Originally, he had planned to issue a broader message, but yesterday's events required him to revise a bit. It's now focused more pointedly on the issues outlined above. I should note here that his actions are not intended to penalize artists of the nations mentioned; indeed, every one of them has long since been paid in full for the art that we removed from inventory yesterday. But when Indian nations' leadership pursue deals for political ends that have the effect of selling our collective histories and present and selling out our children's future, he feels that he must use the one avenue open to him as a Native artist to apply pressure to such leaders to reverse course and conduct themselves with honor. His statement is intended to call on his fellow artists across Indian Country to join him.

It is also intended to support the work of #EONM, a Native women-led organization that works daily, tenaciously and tirelessly, to call attention to these ongoing wrongs and to right them through education. It is their shirt he wears in the photo above. I likewise wear the shirt, and support the work with my own voice and actions.

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Please share his statement with all your networks.

Ta'a and chi miigwech from both of us.

We Are.

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

It's Indigenous People's Day. [No, I'm not even going to use the name of the racist celebration of a genocidal invader.] So today's featured photo at The NDN Silver Blog, which in the normal order of things would likely have appeared next week instead, has been moved up to this week.

If you're looking for cold hard facts today, you'll be disappointed. I've written about them many times in the past. Today is devoted to things more of spirit: our survival, yes, our existence, but more, our very being. 

Shares via the social-media buttons at the bottom of the post, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks.

"Finding Balance"

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Today at The NDN Silver Blog, it's the companion piece promised yesterday — companion both to the post itself and to the items featured in it.

It's also a meditation on power, in part through the lens of the today's date and meaning. It's as close as I'll get to writing about that this year.

Shares via the social media buttons at the bottom of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks.

Twenty-one years this afternoon.

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Sun Serpents

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Today at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a feature of one of my favorite items — pair of items, technically. Also a little about symbols, about power, about such mundane things as the weather.

Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are very much needed and are welcomed with our thanks.

Deer Medicine

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Yesterday, we talked about hunting; today, it's about the deer. Now up at The NDN Silver Blog, a featured piece by a friend of ours with a very distinctive style, and a little exploration of its subject's identity and power (including a photo of one of Wings's old pieces evoking the animal's spirit).

It's a beautiful piece; the stone alone is both incredibly simple and simply incredible. It's also very modestly-priced, especially for its size and weight, perfect for a holiday gift for someone in need of a little light or a little medicine.

Shares via the social-media buttons at the bottom of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with many thanks from both of us.

#TBT: Hunting Season

Photo copyright Wings, 2014;
all rights reserved.

It's #ThrowbackThursday at The NDN Silver Blog, and today, it's something for the season: Autumn, yes, but specifically, hunting season.

This piece needs to find its home, so shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks.

Hugely busy day here, so I'll try to check in later. 

Spirits In the Wind

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

As promised, we have an all new — and truly breathtaking — featured piece for you today at The NDN Silver Blog. 

Wings has been hard at work on this one for weeks, and I've been privileged to watch it take shape. To call the result "compelling" doesn't begin to do it justice. It's powerful — so much so that I had to try it on. And, yes, for the first time ever at his site, there's a photo of that, too.

Come and take a look. And please use the social-media buttons at the bottom of the post, and of Wings's main page, to share it with your networks. This piece represents an enormous investment — of materials, time, labor, talent — and it's looking for its home.

Turquoise Tuesday: Real Royston

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

This week's edition of Turquoise Tuesday is now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, and it's worth the wait. Today it's Nevada's answer to the idea of "real Indian turquoise," which is to say, Royston. And scattered throughout are a lot of photos of some really amazing pieces made with some equally amazing stones (and that's only a fraction of the body of work he's created with this stone). Only one of those pieces still remains in inventory, but when you see them, you'll see why.

Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are welcomed with our thanks.

The Grace of Young Spirits

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

We get visitors — and visitations, which are another matter entirely. It's that time of year, perhaps more than any other.

This visitor, and her children, are the subject of today's featured piece at The NDN Silver Blog. Messengers and message, they brought a little magic into my own day yesterday, and they deserve a wider hearing.

Shares via the social-media buttons at the bottom of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are very much needed, and welcomed with our thanks.

The Path Is a Hoop

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Now up at The NDN Silver Blog, something different today, and something important. It's October, which means that it's National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It's an issue close to both our hearts, and so today's post is devoted, in its own way, through the filter of Wings's art, to a discussion of the topic.

Because of the topic, there's no sale information in today's post; it doesn't feel right. What there is, at the bottom, is a request to our family and friends and clients to get involved. If you need help locating an organization in your area, or one that specializes in a particular set of sub-issues or campaigns, contact me. I'll help you find one.

And of course, because this post deal with an issue that is truly a matter of life and death, we hope you'll share it on that basis.

Chi miigwech and ta'a.

The Midwife of Dawn

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Today's featured piece is finally up at The NDN Silver Blog. Caring for Griffin, dealing with chores on increasingly shorter days, and too long a to-do list have made me late today.

It's a simple little piece, and its very modestly priced.  Shares via the social-media buttons at the bottom of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are very much needed and welcomed with our thanks.

Need a little help here (Griffin) . . . .

Photo copyright wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

He always waits until after hours on a weekend, so that it costs more.

Actually, it doesn't matter; for Griffin, we would move heaven and earth. But he could use a little help from his friends tonight.

Just got back from an emergency trip to the vet; driving at sunset and nighttime with post-concussion syndrome has blown my migraine (4 days straight, this time around) back into the open with full force. The good news is that he's improving.

It appears to be an apparently very severe flare of his CVS. It's possible that he had either a seizure or a stroke that set it off or occurred concomitantly with the beginning of the flare; no way to tell without an MRI, and that's beyond our means (and probably completely unnecessary stress for him, anyway). He had been in the studio with us, and fine; a few minutes later, we were getting ready to go in, and found She-Wolf worriedly standing guard over him in the field. He saw us and tried to get up, and collapsed.

Call feverishly for an available vet; get a 55-pound dog in clonus into the car, drive in in a panic. One prednisone/dramamine IM injection (and a weekend surcharge) later, and we're back home, with a pred scrip and instructions for an increased dramamine regimen (we've had him on it anyway).  So we''l see.

In the meantime, if you can spare some good vibes for Griffin, we'd all appreciate it.  Thanks.

A Bear for Autumn

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Today at The NDN Silver Blog, we have a bear for the season. We also introduce you to another of our artists, his inimitable style, the symbolism involved, and a fantastically gorgeous stone.

The artist is an old friend. Looking around at what some area sellers are charging for his work, it looks like we've been underpricing it more than a bit, making his pieces that we have in inventory a really, REALLY good value. No, we're not going to raise the prices any; they are what they are now. But today's featured piece is a really good deal for whomever the person is who is meant to serve as his permanent home.

Shares via the social-media buttons at the bottom of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, are both needed and welcomed, with our thanks.

#TBT: Sherds of Life, Ancient and Modern

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

All new at The NDN Silver Blog, something very, very old:  It's #Throwback Thursday, and today, we go WAY back. Wings requested today's edition specifically, or, rather, the subject thereof; I added his own previous work into it.

Nothing for sale in it today; just beautiful indigenous art, ancient and modern both. Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, welcomed with our thanks. It contains some fascinating images and information for anyone interested in Native arts, culture, and history.

Sight and Sunlight

Photo copyright Wings, 2014; all rights reserved.

Today at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a meditation on sight and sunlight, and safeguarding the former while enjoying the latter. And, yes, it was prompted by something: October is here, and with it, the beginning of a couple of seasons of brilliance from the sky like you find nowhere else.

Shares of the post itself, and of Wings's main page, very much needed and welcomed with our thanks.

And now, I'm off to try to put a dent in a to-do list that seemingly multiplies by the minute. I think I'm going to name it "Rabbit."