Nizhoni Ranch News

Special Honors to Master Weaver Helene Nez

AYA Optical celebrates Indigenous Art.  Founder and president, Carla D’Angelo founded Claudia Alan Inc. in 2003 with a vision to create beautiful eyewear and accessories that make a difference.  

Master Weaver Helene Nez's work has been chosen to grace one of AYA's newest frames.  Not only is it an honor to be chosen, AYA pays a royalty to the artist.  Congratulations Helene!  

To support AYA/Claudia Alan Designs and Helene please go to their website at:   Claudia Alan Inc

Below is the award winning weaving which influenced the frame design:

What's In It for You?

Well, it is up to your interpretation.  We are talking images in Navajo weavings.  It is said that only 1% of Navajo weavings from the late 1800's to present have pictorial images.  If pictorials or weavings with pictorial images have been off your list, you might want to re-think the design style.

Starting in the 1870's weavers were encouraged to move away from weaving only wearing blankets to weaving rugs, items for the tourist trade, commission pieces and more.  As time passed weavers began to incorporate personal expression. Objects they saw or imagined would make their way into a weaving.  It could be something as simple as letters of the alphabet, numbers, spiritual image or an object they saw.  What do the images mean?  That is where interpretation comes into play. 

Below is a selection of weavings with pictorial elements.  Click here to view our entire pictorial collection.

Transitional Pictorial Navajo Weaving: Historic : JV 109 : $ 9,000

Yei Foxtail Navajo Weaving : Historic : 1939 : GHT 2168 : $ 9,500

Double Navajo Saddle Blanket : Antique : JV 102 : $ 6,500

Pictorial - Squaw Dance Navajo Weaving : Juanita Tsosie : B-13 : $10,000

Teec Nos Pos Pictorial Navajo Rug Weaving : 24 Cans: PC 14 : $ 19,500

Germantown Masonic Pictorial Tapestry : Navajo : Historic : PC 4 : $ 18,000

Not Just Another Pretty Face!

A dear client who lives in England recently lent one of his historic Navajo saddle blankets to his friend Julia Roberts and her award winning dressage horse Crunchie. Douglas thought Crunchie would look smashing wearing the saddle blanket. We agree. We also think Crunchie is absolutely beautiful au naturel. Love of Navajo weaving knows no borders - thank you Douglas, Julia and Crunchie for sharing.

Red Feather Changes Lives

Got a minute?  Well, 2 exactly.  Check out this uplifting video update from Red Feather - Giving Tuesday.  It's been a long hard year, we are grateful for Red Feather and all those who support this outstanding organization.  It is wonderful to see light during such a dark time.

About Red Feather...

Holiday Gift Picks of the Season

We have made shopping for the special people in your life even easier. Our Holiday Gift Picks for the Season gift guide showcases a few of our favorite pieces from many different categories and price ranges. To view our Holiday Gift Picks of the Season click here.

Even better - if you like we will wrap the gift along, add your personal message and ship direct for FREE!  The order date deadline for December 25th arrival (for delivery in the  U.S.A.) is December 17!!

Don't forget our 25% off sale is on.  The discount will be applied to the price when the item is added to your cart!  Be sure to provide the ship to address and in the order notes area of your shopping cart provide your gift message.  If you have something in mind and can't find it - call Beth and she'll help!

November 27th, Native American Heritage Day

The month of November is more than Thanksgiving. It's also Native American Heritage Month, a time designated to honor and recognize the contributions Indigenous people have made to the United States.

"Our resilience and our strength as the first peoples of this land should be celebrated every day," said IllumiNative founder Crystal Echo Hawk.  

"As Indigenous peoples, we stand in our power every day. We continue to pass down traditions through ceremony, protect the wellness and health of our communities, and fight for clean air and water," she said.

Native American Heritage Month provides a national platform for Indigenous people to shed light on their communities by leading discussions about culture and tradition, educating the public about tribal communities or celebrating culture by wearing traditional footwear for a week.

"The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people," according to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).

"Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges."

On Monday, Gov. Doug Ducey released a proclamation, first signed on Oct. 16, recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month in Arizona.

“Native American communities play a critical role in the growth and prosperity of our state,” Ducey said in a news release. “Arizona is enriched by the many diverse contributions from people all across our state, and this month, we are proud to celebrate the Native American community’s vibrant heritage, civic leadership, and history of service to our state and nation."

Arizona is home to 22 tribes, and tribal land makes up approximately 28% of the state’s land base, according to the governor's office.

A Francis Begay off to Oklahoma

We love to see how our customers are displaying their weavings!  Thanks for sharing!

Teec Nos Pos Gallery Show 2020

Currently at the Gallery
We have filled the walls with some of our favorite Native American Teec Nos Pos weavings. Check out the video above.  To view all Teec Nos Pos available click here.

History of Teec Nos Pos Rugs
Widely considered to be the most intricate and detailed of all Navajo rug designed, Teec Nos Pos Rugs offer a truly exceptional and distinct look. Named after a location important to the Navajo, this “Ring of Cottonwood Trees” has produced two distinct styles that have both long been influenced by the tightly-woven, brightly-colored Persian rugs of the Middle East. Large, bold and colorful, Teec Nos Pos boast a weaving unlike any other. Located in the northeast corner of Arizona, Teec Nos Pos rugs rose to prominence in 1905, spinning off of J.B. Moore’s Crystal Weaving Style. Since that time, Teec Nos Pos rugs have most often displayed one of two unique stylizations—one boasting elaborate geometric motifs and the other a collection of zig zag patterns with distinct borders. The zigzag patterns being the only designs to be carried forward from the pre-1900 blanket designs.


Elegant Patterns
The most amazing aspect of Teec Nos Pos rugs is the fact that weavers working in this area, were some of the most technically skilled weavers working on the Navajo reservation at this time. Traditional weavers often create the finished rug simply from a vision they have in their head and rarely from something drawn to paper. This unique choice lets the adventurous spirit, instinct and beauty of the Navajo culture shine through with each hand woven expression of art.


Unmatched Artistry
Navajo weavers are still using the same longstanding techniques passed down from generation to generation, even as it comes to shearing and cleaning wool, carding, dyeing and hand spinning. That’s why Nizhoni Ranch Gallery rugs feature an array of colors seen nowhere else in contemporary Navajo weaving, allowing weavers to deftly capture shapes, images, designs and styles.


Skillful Complexity
The Navajo that create the Teec Nos Pos rugs for the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery are highly-experienced weavers and craftsmen that perfectly balance the fineness of each woolen strand with the tightness of the weave. This allows highly-detailed patterns to shine through on each piece without sacrificing comfort, durability or overall artistry. In fact, the amount of work that goes into each of these handmade Navajo rugs means that every single one is completely unique. Some weavings can take up to 2 years to create on the traditional loom. NRG supports and encourages each weaver to work as long as it takes to accomplish their masterpieces.

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Nothing Short of Amazing!!!!

Setting Sun in England

Great Location!