Bazaar del Mundo Blog

Bazaar del Mundo’s annual Santa Fe Marketplace brings the colorful arts, crafts and cultures of Native Americans and the American Southwest to its festive shops in Old Town, Friday through Sunday, September 16-18.

Amidst a vibrant outdoor marketplace, exquisite collections of authentic Native American jewelry, art, crafts and décor will be on display from Navajo, Cherokee, Hopi, Pima, Isleta Pueblo and Santo Domingo Pueblo tribe members, along with other noted Southwestern artists demonstrating and selling their goods.

Art lovers will enjoy rare and stunning collections of Native American art and can also find an abundance of hand-made multi-stone inlaid jewelry, hand-woven Zapotec pillows and rugs, leather accessories, fetishes, storytellers, Pendleton blankets and one-of-a-kind, authentic Native American pawn jewelry.

Returning to this year’s festival, pawn trader Art Quintana will appraise visitors’ fine Indian jewelry and family heirlooms (up to two pieces each). With 30 years in the Native American jewelry business, Quintana’s collection of traditional and contemporary necklaces, bracelets, rings, bolo ties, concho belts, earrings, beadwork and more, present a treasure trove of items he has discovered in pawn shops throughout the Southwest.

In addition to Quintana, artists and traders attending include:

• Jesse Hummingbird pursues both Cherokee and other American Indian themes in his acrylic paintings in what he calls “intertribal fantasy.”

• Veronica Benally, a traditional Navajo artist whose handmade silver and/or gold bracelets with natural stones were awarded “Best in Show” from the Museum of Man in Balboa Park.

• Federico returns with his stunning collection of dramatic turquoise, red coral and pearl jewelry.

• John Balloue’s vibrant acrylic and mixed media paintings are held in many private and public collections, including the Cherokee Museum in Tahlequah, Oklahoma; the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington DC; the SWAIA Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico; and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.

• Kim Yubeta uses vintage beads from far-off lands made of turquoise, coral, lapis, spiny oyster, amber, jet and onyx to fashion her necklaces that show in galleries throughout the Southwest.

• Harry & Isabelle Benally are award-winning Navajo wood carvers who carve beautiful human and animal figures out of red juniper, aspen, cottonwood, redwood and alabaster.

• George Willis incorporates natural elements such as horn, stone and bone into whimsical jewelry and accessories inspired by his Choctaw heritage.

• Anomaly Imports offers a huge selection of hand-woven Zapotec rugs, blankets, runners and more in glorious colors.

• Lester Abeyta from Santo Domingo Pueblo is a traditional lapidary artist best known for his beaded necklaces and lightweight earrings.

Santa Fe Marketplace visitors can take in this dazzling showcase while enjoying live musical entertainment, and mouth-watering cuisine from neighboring Casa Guadalajara.

The event runs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, September 16-17, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 18. For more information, visit www.bazaardelmundo.com.

We’re celebrating the art of delicious design! Come indulge your “good taste” during Bazaar del Mundo’s “Fashion + Flavors,” a vibrant new event by Diane Powers featuring food, fashion and fun, Friday and Saturday, June 17–18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the corner of Juan and Taylor Streets in Old Town.

To give the event added “flavor,” Casa Guadalajara’s Chef Jose Duran will present cooking demonstrations of his popular summer salad and dressing recipes. Guests can enjoy tastings of his splendid creations along with a light lunch served in the beautiful Bazaar del Mundo courtyard at 11:30 a.m. both days.

For eager “fashionistas,” guest artists will showcase their handmade creations, including unique fashion accessories, clothing and crafts. Shoppers can peruse collections of silk scarves, leather handbags and jewelry made from metals, glass, semi-precious stones and sparkling jewels that are contemporary, as well as ethnically inspired.

Visiting artists include:

• Mary Brown: Using unique stones and silver, Ms. Brown creates beautiful, one-of-a-kind ethnic jewelry pieces.

• Bonita Chamberlin: Ms. Chamberlin presents silver and semi-precious stone jewelry,   handmade in Afghanistan to support local villages.

• Beautiful Soul: Hand-crafted jewelry made with natural gemstones, pearls and metals.

• Melissa Gladhill: Found objects and ceramic pieces are incorporated into Ms. Gladhill’s unique jewelry.

• DanDee Silks: These hand-painted silk scarves, ruanas and ponchos are made and designed by self-taught, retired school teachers in brilliant color combinations.

• Kim Yubeta: Attending Friday only, Ms. Yubeta creates one-of-a-kind “treasure” necklaces.

• Erda Bags: Handbags for every event made from fine leathers and tapestries.

• Rochelle DiMaggio: “Day of the Dead” inspires Ms DiMaggio’s jewelry.

• Indiri Silver Jewelry: Made in Bali, each item is Fair Trade and handcrafted with pride in villages that specialize in ancient jewelry making, with techniques passed down over generations.

Musical entertainment will be provided by TINKU, performing over 19 musical rhythms from throughout Latin America on authentic native instruments.