Ajijaakwe: February 2016

Monday, February 29, 2016

Green

That's what the lawn looks like now. Green.

It's too much green for the end of February, actually, but we'll take it. The ground, frozen worse than solid for a couple of months straight, has thawed completely.

Which means that work can begin again on what I've taken to calling The Home Project. [If you don't know the backstory, you can read the abbreviated version here.]

Which also means, of course, that we are finally at the stage of needing to raise the other kind of green.

The YouCaring page will go up tomorrow. Our goal this time is substantially bigger, obviously; there will be a lot more to do. Also obviously, this won't be the last fundraising stage, either: This just gets the basics into the ground and the structure going up, if all goes well. the blueprints are being finalized (although they will also be subject to change as we go; we're taking a flexible approach), and we expect to have that complete roughly mid-March. The excavation for the plumbing and wiring will begin immediately thereafter. [A note: We already have the well, two standpipes, the septic system, the full-sized propane tank, and the electrical hook-ups from before. This is just a question of laying the pipe and other things that need to go in before the foundation.] We're hoping that this stage of fundraising, coupled with the funds we have set aside, will cover the excavation work, the laying of the pipe and plumbing and wiring needs, the laying of the foundation, the construction of the frame, and at least the beginnings of the adobe work.

At any rate, we're going to need help. Lots of it. Donations through the YouCaring page are the most obvious means. [And those who don't want to use their system, which does subtract a fee, can hit the PayPal button in the upper right corner of this page. If you designate it as a "gift to friends or family," there's no deduction.] There's also our Amazon wishlist, which, with only two obvious exceptions, contains items the animals need; purchases from there help defray our expenses, especially in light of what's been going on with Cree in recent weeks, allowing us to put our cash resources directly to the house. [A note on the wishlist here: I've just noticed that it says near the bottom, with regard to the vitamin C crystals that are helping to save She-Wolf's sight, that we have four out of five. We don't. I don't know where the mix-up lies, but we haven't received any of them, so the amount needed over the course of the full year is five.]

Finally, and what we always prefer: Buy Native art. Wings's silverwork and photography are always available, and I've uploaded images of some fabulous new pieces of the former in recent weeks, with more to come. He's working on some spectacular stuff right now. If something you love is marked "Sold," hit me via the site's Contact form; chances are, he can make a version just for you that you'll love even better. And if you're looking for non-jewelry items, we've got plenty of other indigenous art available, too.

Which reminds me: For those of you who have purchased Wings's work in the past, there's one more way you can help. Send us a testimonial to post on the site in our new "Client Testimonials" section. If you need inspiration, the first one is already uploaded. For instructions on how to submit your own, go here.

And, of course, one for the things we most need is for everyone to share the link to the YouCaring page when it goes up tomorrow. Small donations add up fast. We've got a long, hard task ahead of us, but we can't do another winter in this place, nor risk another fire.

Thanks, everybody.

Into the Wind

To watch the day, thence night, slip past time's threshold.

Monday Photo Meditation: Learning How to Grow

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a photo meditation for this final day of February, a quadrennial gift, and for the unsettled hybrid season in which it arrives. It's an image of hope, a harbinger of gifts to come, but seeing it requires adapting the angle of our view.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. As always, the photo is available for purchase in any of the usual three formats; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Day's End

Intentional and intent, Raven flies into the light of the setting sun.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Honoring Spirits of Water and Sky

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's Wings's latest, completed only yesterday afternoon. It's a beautifully classic piece, one offered at a very inviting price.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Stormy Seas

In a lake of light, the clouds draw Father Sun downward through a spiraling vortex to his rest.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Keeping Our World Balanced

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's one Wings's more recent works, one that evokes the week's themes with hints of heavenly feminine power. These earrings were completed on the day of last autumn's famous Blood Moon, and thus named themselves accordingly.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Hawk and Dove

In a rivalry of survival, sharing space, uncontended and uncontested.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Friday Feature: Emerging Spirits

Photo copyright Aji, 2016;
all rights reserved.

It's our Friday Feature at The NDN Silver Blog, and today, it's a pair of emerging spirits to usher in the new day. These were not created as a pair, but they nonetheless seem to belong together. They also need to find their home.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Of Horses and Homes

So, I've basically been up since just after 2 AM. For the second day in a row. Day 2 of a migraine, too. Actually, it's the fourth of five days with little to no sleep, and I seem to be fighting a bug, too. So needless to say, this day started off just wonderfully, thanks.

At morning prayers, I was startled by a bird alighting in the cedar tree next to me, practically close enough to touch. It darted around, murmuring softly, then stopped to look directly at me. I finally realized it was there with its mate. at first, I thought they were bluebirds, from what little I could see in the branches, coupled with the sounds.

Robins.

About as skittish as bluebirds. And the bluebirds did show up, a small and anxious flock of four to six, a few hours later. They are entirely out of season, five months later than usual; the robins are a couple of months early (although even they mostly show up late in summer and depart fairly soon).

Considering when this occurred, I took it all as a good sign.

Today was Cree's check-up, and her first X-rays since January 7th. We were hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, praying for a miracle.

We got a better one than we ever could've hoped.

To levitate; to bid farewell; to say hello; to pray.

#ThrowbackThursday: To Capture the Moon

It's #TBT at The NDN Silver Blog, and today, it's a work from about six or seven years ago, one that expressly summons the spirit of our post from Monday. It's a beautiful harnessing of an ephemeral spirit, one done in such a way as to remind us of our own fragile relationship to the world entrusted to our care.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. This piece sold in 2010 or so, but if it speaks to you, Wings can make a unique version all your own (with virtually any stone); simply inquire via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Sun Dog

Sun Dog, all flamboyant fire, heralds Bear Moon's stealthy hoarding of the light.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Sky Woman Walks the Path of the Stars

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's Wings's latest work, the first in some time in the signature series that is closest to his heart. It's a tribute to warrior women of earth and sky.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

What We're Up Against [Updated to reflect sold items]

Last week, Wings's nephew began working for us again. Nothing major; he's just helping out around here with the heavy labor. Our bodies (and our schedules) need the break, and he needs the money. Desperately.

This young man has a lot of obstacles in front of him. Some are of his own making; some are not. Most, probably, as with most people, are a combination of the two — bad circumstances complicated by certain bad decisions that have snowballed in a way that would never have occurred but for the accident of biology (by which I mean, not being born white). But he's trying. He is an incredibly hard worker, and very skilled, and he does his assigned tasks rapidly, thoroughly, and without reservation.

He's also a skilled smith.

He's had some training, years ago, and he's gotten some help from Wings along the way. When he has both the time and the resources, he produces very good work. He's young, and he's nowhere near the level of older, more experienced jewelers, but if he's ever able to give up other jobs to focus solely on his art, he'll become very good indeed.

And he's getting screwed.

He has a daughter who is in kindergarten or first grade, I forget which; he and his partner have a baby due in two days. The daughter's school had a Valentine's dance (yes, apparently this is a thing now for 5- and 6-year-olds), and she needed some things for it (these things cost the parents, too). He needed to make some money. On Valentine's Day, he went into town, to the Plaza, to try to sell some copper cuff bracelets he'd made. These are high-quality pieces: skilled workmanship; tight, clean design; good detailing. He tried selling the larger ones for $10 apiece.

Now, ten bucks per is worse than a steal. It doesn't cover the cost of the copper, much less his labor or his talent. But he needed cash, and on Valentine's weekend, there are plenty of wealthy tourists in the Plaza, spending money like water at the ski shops and elsewhere.

They offered him $5.

Five dollars. I am not shitting you. Everybody who asked offered him half of his already well-below-cost asking price. One guy actually demanded (and sadly got) two for eight.

This is not acceptable.

But leaving aside the Republican greed on display here, this literally hurt my heart. I know enough about our field, and about what's what in it, to know when something's done well, and to be able to fix a ballpark reasonable price based on all the factors at play. And this literally made me weep for him.

Wings told him never to settle; set his cost, and insist that people pay him what he's worth. Which, of course, is easier to do once you're an established artist, and when you're not trying to scrounge up the necessary scratch for the most minimal essentials. It was, obviously, advice for the long term. But Wings isn't going to give a young artist that kind of unworkable advice and do nothing else, so we stepped in.

We bought six of his cuffs outright. Two were for me to wear (copper seems to help the horrible arthritis in my arms, wrists, and hands a bit, so I now wear one on each wrist) The other four we are selling as part of our inventory. That was all we could afford right now. However, we took another six cuffs, the smaller ones, on consignment, to sell for him. These are relatively small in length, probably five inches rather than the standard six. Still, they're very easily adjusted, and he's finished them so well that they fit very comfortably.

Of the ones for sale as part of our inventory, there are two like the one above, a pair of solid copper wire strands hand-twisted together, shaped, and cut and finished off on the ends. You can see how cleanly he's finished those ends in the photo below:

This is the second cuff in the same design:

These two retail for $55 each.

The second design is slightly heavier and thus a bit more expensive. These two are made with thicker strands, hand-twisted together far more tightly. Where the other two look like braids, these look a bit like a snake rattle (from my own people's stories, that's especially fitting). This is the first:

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.
SOLD

And this is what the ends look like. These are spectacularly wound, and very beautiful.

This is the second of these two:

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.
SOLD

Again, as you can see, there are the slightest of irregularities in the twist work, showing that it was done by hand rather than by machine. With copper of this thickness, that's not easy. Each of these retails for $75 apiece.

Now, to the consigned pieces.

These are a bit thinner that the ones shown at the top of this post; same design, same beautiful finish, but the braided strands aren't quite as thick. We have two in stock; they retail for $45 each.

And finally, we come to the really delicate ones. I thought at first they were copper bead wire, that's how tightly he's managed to twist them. They're not; they're plain copper strands of really slender size, hand-twisted so closely that they appear like a long row of tiny beads. We have four in stock, each of which retails for $35.

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.
~~THREE~~ ALL FOUR SOLD~~; ONE AVAILABLE~~

Shipping, handling, and insurance on each runs $10.

I'd really like to be able to sell out on all of these for him. Spirit knows he needs the money, especially with a new baby only a few hours in the offing now. And if he can get some breathing room, maybe he can go back to making jewelry on something a little closer to a regular basis. Wings has already committed to helping him with materials acquisition.

So, if you're interested in having what my people believe is a piece of the Great Water Snake, a bit of prosperity and abundance and good luck, all for what are incredibly reasonable prices, you'll be helping a young Native man who really needs the support, moral and financial alike. You can order them by e-mailing me or by using the Contact form at Wings's Web site, or simply by hitting the PayPal "Donate" button at the upper right of this page and identifying which piece(s) you want in the "Notes" section of the PayPal entry window.

And please share this post around. He's family, and we really want to help give him a hand up.

Thanks.

Sanctuary

Hail bird crosses icy waters to seek sanctuary in a faraway stone.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Indigenous Arts: Letting the Spirits Speak

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's this week's entry in our series on Indigenous Arts. Today, we take a look at a very particular style of native art, one in which the artist allows the spirits within the medium to speak for themselves.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Several of the works pictured in today's post have long since been sold, but several also remain in inventory; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Eye of Spirit

In neither a warm nor a cold season, a fiery golden Eye of Spirit.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

A Reminder:

I've had several people talk to me about submitting testimonials for Wings's art, both silverwork and photography. I've finally set up a means for folks to do just that. You can read the announcement here, but I'll reproduce the process here:

First, submit each one individually (i.e., one per item). If we're fortunate enough to have sold you more than one item that you love this much, we'll post them at different times; I don't want to overwhelm the site with a flood all at once.
Second, please submit via the site's Contact form ONLY. With our connectivity and attendant e-mail problems here, it's the only way to ensure that it reaches me.
Third, please describe the piece in question for me so that I can post a photo of it (I've got photos of nearly everything). Put the part of the message that you want quoted in quotation marks.
Fourth, sign it how you'd like to be known, with your city and state (or country): e.g., John Smith, New York, NY; or J. Smith; or John S.? Jane Doe, Santa Fe, NM; or J. Doe, or Jane D.? We'll respect all identification requests for anyone who needs a degree of anonymity. We also will never post your words unless you expressly request that we do so as a public testimonial.

Scores of you have sent me private testimonials over the years about what Wings's work has brought you, what it has meant to you, how it has helped you. Now I'm asking you to help us by making that public.

Thanks.

Monday Photo Meditation: Eternal Revolution

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's our photo meditation for this last full week of the year's shortest month. It's also one that harks back to a more fundamental meaning of a word much wielded of late, and carelessly so, with little regard for reality. The photo very much resembles last night's skies, although Wings took this one two or three years ago. It remains available for purchase in any of the usual three formats; simply inquire via the site's Contact form.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

A Veil Against the Storm

Father Sun sends the clouds east, to shield the Bear Moon's glow against the coming storm.

Sustaining the Traditional Spirit of the People

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's the final entry exploring the themes of the week just past, those of familial and familiar spirits. Today, one such sustaining spirit finds expression through one of Wings's masterworks, and one of my all-time favorites among his entire body of work.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Hail Bird and Bear Moon

One flies early; the other late.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Spirits Ready to Gather and Grow

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a work that continues this week's themes of sustaining spirits. They have much to teach us, if only we are willing to listen and learn.

Friday, February 19, 2016

The Old Man

He bids farewell to the warm waning light, and prepares to greet a colder one.

Friday Feature: Evoking Form, Invoking Power

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's our Friday Feature for a week in which we have been visited by founding fathers and familial spirits. Today's work is one that evokes the forms and invokes the powers of multiple spirits, all in beautiful, mysteriously simple form.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

#ThrowbackThursday to 2013: James Hood Dies: Defied Wallace; Integrated U of Alabama

Photo credit: The Birmingham News/Tamika Moore

Author's Note: This is a repost of one of my pieces, then breaking news, which originally appeared elsewhere on January 18, 2013. I'm reproducing it here as part of my archive of works for Black History Month.

_________________________________________

A hero left us yesterday.

James Hood, one of two African American students determined to attend the whites-only University of Alabama, has died at age 70. James Hood, one of two African American students determined to attend the whites-only University of Alabama, has died at age 70.

Attribution unknown

In 1963, Mr. Hood and Vivian Malone defied Alabama's racist governor George Wallace, and a racist power structure and populace, to avail themselves of the right to a public college education.

She is escort and guide, a mediator; she dances, turns, shimmers, weeps at the beauty of the world.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

#TBT: A Flowering Ancestral Spirit

It's #ThrowbackThursday at The NDN Silver Blog, and today, we go back a scant two months to a flowering ancestral spirit, one that turned what began as a commission into a gift (for us as much as for the recipients). It's a work that melds together the spirits of a dear friend's grandparents, turned into our friend's gift for their daughter, her mother.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. All of Wings's work is one of a kind, but this is one that is truly singular. However, if the concept of turning an heirloom into such a work speaks to your spirit, Wings can always create something wholly unique and individual to you and your loved ones in a different motif; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Seven Years Already

This day seven years ago was one of our worst.

It was the day we lost that little girl, Hunter, to multiple organ failure resulting from IMTP and IMHA, both of which were due to a toxic medication that had been prescribed for her. We had long since taken her off it, but the damage had already been done, even though it took more than a year to surface.

This is how I prefer to remember her, smiling around her toy. She was one of the happiest spirits I've ever known. The day I first came to this place, years before, she and BearGirl came running across the north field like a pair of fuzzy bullets, making straight for the strange car, both grinning from ear to doggy ear. By the time I opened the door, they were there and pushing their way inside the car. Hunter managed to crawl all the way up under my feet onto the driver's-side floorboards beneath the dash.

Wings said they had never, ever greeted anyone at first sight the way they greeted me. She made her wishes known immediately for her humans, the one who had been with her for some time and the one who had just entered her life.

We couldn't save her from the effects of a drug that she should never have been prescribed, but at least she got her wish for us.

A little while ago, I put cedar out where her ashes were scattered. I think tonight's spectacular sunset was another greeting from this baby girl, her brilliant sweet smile writ large across the sky.

Just Enough to Keep Her Warm

A soft reflective glow, the color of love's soft flame . . . just enough to keep her warm.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Familiar and Familial Spirits

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a work whose very existence both embodies and pays tribute to the memories of those walked on before us (as well as other spirits, too). It's one of Wings's masterworks, and for good reason. It's also a piece that speaks to my own spirit in this week, when markers of loss of all sorts abound.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

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Monday, February 29, 2016

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Friday, February 26, 2016

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Monday, February 22, 2016

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Friday, February 19, 2016

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

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