Nizhoni Ranch News

Beth's Navajo Weaving of the Week April 23 2018

3RD PHASE NAVAJO CHIEF BLANKET : KATHY MARIANITO : CHURRO 1506

I love Chief blankets.  The colors, the dimensions and the linear designs.  You can wear them,  throw them on a bed,  over the back of a couch,  hang on a wall , well... you get the idea.

This piece is woven with beautiful browns, indigo, cochineal red, and white. It measures 4'7" x 5'7".  Circa 2015.  

This was woven by Kathy Marianito.  The Marianito Family (Kathy, Jamie, Lucie, Jalucie, Laverta, Julia Upshaw and more) have been weaving for Steve since the late 1990's.  When you see one of our Churro Chief Blankets, I can pretty much guarantee it is woven by a member of the Marianito Family. 

Master Weaver Kathy Marianito

Chief Manuelito, who was a prominent Navajo leader before, during and after Bosque Redondo is Kathy's Great Great Grandfather.  Kathy's design inspiration for this weaving came from a blanket she remembers her Great Great Grandmother wove for Manuelito. 

Watch this video of Kathy explaining the design and the significance of the stars in this weaving.

Have a great week!

Beth
520-455-5020

Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hill Exhibit Special Reception

In March 2018 we held a special reception for our Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hills exhibit at the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery in Sonoita Arizona.

We were so fortunate to have Master Weaver Elsie Begay and her grand children Natalie and Dylan join us for this special occasion.  Elsie and her grand children were kind enough to bring their looms and allowed us to watch them weave.  

The Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hills exhibit highlights differing phases of influence on the Navajo weaver, in the Two Grey Hills area. Showcasing historic textiles we have collected over the years, as well as those commissioned from weavers we have worked with over the last 45 years.

This exhibit has been extremely successful and nearing a sell out. We are offering a 20% discount to those who call and reference this blog 520-455-5020. To view the Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hill catalog along with our entire collection, please visit our website, www.NavajoRug.Com.


A capacity crowd at the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery as Steve Getzwiller takes the crowd through a personal tour of the Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hills Exhibit.

Master Weaver Elsie Bia with her two grandchildren, Dylan and Natalie all demonstrating their weaving skills. Dylan and Natalie are both weaving their first rugs.

Below is a little more information about the exhibit:

Historically traders encouraged unique signature designs for Navajo rugs in their particular area, in this case Toadlena and Two Grey Hills, to enhance marketability and cultivate regional styles. Sheep and their wool were vital to the livelihood of the Navajo. Using this natural resource of the sheep's wool to make rugs, weavers created a viable economic collaboration with post traders. The traders helped the Navajo by marketing the rugs they made beyond the borders of the reservation to the rest of the country. This brought "beeso" or money to their artisan economy by turning the sheep's wool into decorative and functional goods.

Design innovation and progression by osmosis...J.B. Moore, the resident trader at Crystal (1896-1911), influenced the early Two Grey Hill rug design. The weavers from the Two Grey Hill area had summer camps for grazing their sheep in the Chuska Mountains.

J.B. Moore generally offered to pay a very fair price to these weavers depicting the designs presented in his mail order catalogs. The catalog designs along with the Two Grey Hill area weaver's preference to use the natural wool colors of their sheep, brought the design style of J.B. Moore to the Toadlena and Two Grey Hill areas, located on the east side of the Chuska Mountains.

The J.B. Moore designs, such as the storm pattern, influenced the Ganado and western reservation area weavers and contributed to the evolution of other regional styles such as Teec Nos Pos and Bistie. The Two Grey Hills regional style became more clearly defined by the 1920's, evidenced by the progression of the styles presented in this exhibit.

Historically Master Weavers from the Two Grey Hills area have been some of the most talented of the Navajo Nation. The elegant simplicity of the color palette, intricate geometric design, and expert carding and spinning made their textiles some of the best and finest examples of Navajo rugs and tapestries to emerge from the Navajo Nation.

Steve's Two Grey Hills Navajo Weaving of the Week April 16, 2018

TWO GREY HILLS - SANOSTEE NAVAJO WEAVING : HISTORIC : PC 135

Kids of the Loom

In 2013 Master Weaver Elsie Bia, along with her children and young grandchildren, visited the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery.  She came to bring Steve her latest weaving.

Over the years we have watched the grandchildren grow.  Each time Steve sees the grandkids he makes a point of asking when will they start to weave.  Turns out March 2018 was the time.  During the opening of our current show - Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hills Natalie and Dylan brought their very own handmade looms and started their very first weaving!

No matter the age, all weavers are to make their own looms.  Look closely and you will see Dylan's ingenuity and imagination. 

With the influence of their Grandmother, we have no doubt they too will become Master Weavers in their own right!

 
Elsie Bia with her grand son Dylan and grand daughter Natalie March 2018 at Nizhoni Ranch Gallery

Natalie weaving her first rug March 2018

Dylan weaving his first rug March 2018

Robin's Navajo Chief Blanket Weaving of the Week April 9, 2018

3rd Phase Navajo Chief Blanket: Historic : PC 280

This is such a cool blanket.  I love the subtle colors in this weaving and the history is gripping.  Most likely woven at Bosque Redondo.  Under the horrific conditions and experience of Bosque Redondo, it amazes me this weaver could create such a magnificent chief blanket.  

This was woven between 1860 and 1870, which makes this 3rd phase extremely rare.  Steve says this could be one of the very first 3rd phase blankets woven.  

4'8" x 6'1" 

Call or email, I'd love to talk more about this blanket!

Robin
520-455-5020

Weaver of the Month - Elsie Bia - April 2018

Master weaver Elsie has been weaving for over 50 years.  We are so blessed to have her weaving for us exclusively.  Since 2013 she has woven over 25 rugs - and another is currently on the loom.  The rate which she weaves exquisite rugs is nothing short of incredible.

Additionally she is extremely versatile.  She weaves many different patterns and styles including Burntwater, Ganado,  Teec Nos Pos,  Crystal,  Sand Paintings,  Bistie, Pictorials and Storm.

She has won the following awards at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial,  3 Best of Category; 6- 1st Place; 2 Artist Awards and many smaller awards. 

Her grand daughter Natalie and grandson Dylan have recently begun weaving.  No doubt they will also become Master weavers under the wing of their grandmother.

Shop Elsie's Weaving Now

Below is her weaver profile which is posted on our website:

Elsie Bia

Born: August 25, 1951
CLAN: “Big Water Clan” for “Tangle People Clan” My Grandpa Clan is “Edgewater Clan, and my Naali Clan is “Bitterwater Clan) 

Elsie, “I had no training for weaving, it was given to me from above.  I also learn from my mom and grandma.  When I was 14, I would watch my mom weave and then help her finish the rug.  My mom and grandmom helped me learn to weave.” 

Elsie has famous relatives that also weave;  Cara Yazzie, Helen Bia, Irene and Lucy Begay.  

Elsie, “My favorite designs are Burntwater, Wide Ruin, Ganado Red and Teec Nos Pos.  Weaving rugs is a Navajo tradition and it is passed down by my family, and I Love to weave.  It is my only income and it helps me a lot.  I enjoy doing my work.  It takes lots of time, not only to weave but all of the math and  counting.  I just love what I do, always challenging myself with new patterns and designs.  I really like taking my time to figure out what comes next in my weaving and then to see the outcome of the design.  Taking my time to figure out what comes next and the outcome of the design is exciting. “ 

“I would like to say that I love to do rug weaving.   I’m glad I learned to weave.  It takes time to weave.  People know me as a rug weaver.  I’m proud of myself.” 

“I’m glad I’m still weaving and I thank everyone that helped me.  Yup.  I watch my Grandma, Mom weave,  I got it from them….  We got our wool from the sheeps.  We use to shave it off from the sheep, carded and dye it, spindled it and make a loom and start to weave, that’s all of weaving.  Now I don’t have sheep anymore, anyway I love to weave, do my best for my buyer Steve Getzwiller.     

Thank You,

Elsie Bia 

"p.s. I even raise my kids with my rug weaving". 

Natalie Tso weaving her first rug - Granddaughter of Elsie Bia

Dylan Tso displaying his first rug - Grandson of Elsie Bia

Beth's Navajo Weaving of the Week April 2, 2018

Two Grey Hill - Bistie Navajo Rug : HISTORIC : PC 103

Forbes Magazine: Navajo Rug Gallery Weaves Ancient Art And New Technology Together With Bitcoin

Navajo Rug Gallery Weaves Ancient Art And New Technology Together With Bitcoin

Steve Getzwiller is a 7^th generation rancher who grew up just east of Tucson, Arizona. As a child, he spent a lot of time at the Amerind Foundation in Dragoon AZ, a museum and research center for Native American arts and culture. Inspired by the director of the foundation, Archaeologist Charles C. Di Peso, Getzwiller went on to study anthropology at the University of Arizona, and became a potter and turquoise trader. But his real passion was Navajo Rugs, and as soon as he could afford to, he became collecting them and wholesaling rugs to top galleries around the U.S. to be able to afford more expensive ones for himself.

In 1995, Getzwiller launched an online website, and in 2000, he opened his own physical gallery, The Nizhoni Ranch Gallery, in Sonoita, AZ. Today, he does about $1 Million of business a year, half through the website and half through his physical store. Getzwiller's Navajo rugs are sold around the world to collectors, business people and rock stars.

Steve Getzwiller, Owner of Nizhoni Ranch Gallery

The Personal Touch

Navajo weavers today are carrying on a 300-year-old tradition of weaving blankets and rugs. Their unique upright loom uses a traditional weaving technique that cannot be mechanized. The loom is warped with one continuous wool thread and the weft is woven through it, one thread at a time. “It is a very time consuming and meticulous process,” Getzwiller explains, “Small rugs can take a full week to weave, while larger Navajo rugs can take years to complete.”

 
Navajo weaver Cecelia Nez will work on a rug for years.

By their intrinsic nature, these rugs cannot be commoditized. Their weaving is personal and the resulting rugs are works of custom art. Getzwiller emphasizes these qualities in every aspect of his business and they inform his marketing. Each rug comes with a weaver’s profile and background information on the traditional process used.

In the store, Getzwiller works to highlight various artists. On March 11, for example, the gallery will host Elsi Bia and her 11-year-old grand-daughter at The Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hills opening. They will be demonstrating Navajo weaving at an upright loom. Another granddaughter, Natalie Tso, will be weaving her first rug. Getzwiller notes: “We try to keep these demos fresh and exciting, and not only present historic material, but also present and preserve the art of Navajo weaving today.”

As part of his commitment to the personal, he also emphasizes customer service. He focuses 100% on customer service, treating every sale as a personal relationship to be nurtured. “Even all our sales online have the personal touch, as each sale is completed with a conversation with the client and subsequent follow-up,” he explains.

We don’t outsource any of our customer service. We try to answer an inquiry within minutes if possible — and follow up with information immediately. Customer service is our top priority. All sales are totally guaranteed of course, as satisfaction upon receipt of a piece of unique art like these rugs is crucial. The client must feel at ease when making a large purchase from pictures. We have a small staff, so the client experiences a personal touch and often has a favorite person in the gallery that they work with on a first name basis.

It may seem strange that a business so rooted in history and pre-industrial technology would accept bitcoin, but for Getzwiller it makes complete sense. His son was an early adopter, buying Bitcoin back in 2011, and he sees the crypto-currency as a natural next step for online sales.

“Although retail adoption has been lethargic, Bitcoin's rates of adoption and price have been anything but that in the past seven years. We see the future impact of BTC as a relied upon and trusted payment method. More art galleries around the globe are starting to accept the digital currency. We want to stay in step with those galleries and businesses on the cutting edge. We feel the energy of the Bitcoin phenomenon even in our remote ranching community. As I like to say, the world really is getting smaller!”

When asked if the transition to Bitcoin was difficult, he replied, “NavajoRug.com was one of the first online rug galleries anywhere. The complexity of using crypto currencies for most of us involves the same learning curve we experienced when we first embrace the Internet and email as outreach tools. We are proud to be one of the first such galleries to accept Bitcoin. Early adoption may prove to be as ground-breaking as the second iteration of the Internet.”

Kate Harrison , CONTRIBUTORI write about green businesses and how to help startups succeed.  Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

@kate_l_harrison and find my marketing consulting business online at katelharrison.com. For the green wedding professional certification class, visit greenweddingprofessionals.com.

March 7, 2018

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateharrison/2018/03/07/navajo-rug-gallery-weaves-ancient-art-and-new-technology-together-with-bitcoin/#35dd5c385cfd

REMINDER! Weekend in Wickenburg?

Wickenburg...Historic Wonder of the West

Want an authentic taste of the wild west?  Wickenburg is the real deal.  The town has successfully merged the past with the present in a way that awakens the cowboy in everyone!

See One Trader's Legacy:  Steve Getzwiller Collects the West at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg Arizona.  

Mark your calendars for March 15 and 16!

WESTERN VIEWPOINT:
STEVE GETZWILLER ON "ONE TRADER'S LEGACY"

Take a day trip or spend a week, because there’s no better place to truly experience the historic wonder of the West.

21 Century Eyedazzlers : Tucson Desert Art Museum

Join us this Saturday March 10th at the Tucson Desert Art Museum Store at 11:00am for a Special Walk and Talk with Steve and Gail on "Weaving Stories: Ancient Looms, Modern Art".  Visit Nizhoni Ranch Gallery to view our collection of Eye Dazzler weavings.

OPEN HOUSE FOR Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hills Show Sunday March 11

 
Steve Getzwiller with Master Navajo Weaver Grace Nez and her extraordinary Two Grey Hills masterpiece.

OPEN HOUSE : SUNDAY MARCH 11, 2011

Featuring Master Weaver Elsie Bia and her grandchildren Natalie and Dylan demonstrating on their looms.  Natalie and Dylan are working on their first Navajo Rugs and we will be auctioning them off, as a way of encouraging them to continue to learn to weave.  If you can't make the opening and want to bid on their rugs just email us and we will put you down on the list. 

If you are considering purchasing one of our Two Grey Hills from the Show Catalog click here.

 We are so pleased with the response to our Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hills Show.  All are invited to visit our gallery to experience this wonderful and rare exhibit along with our vast collection of Navajo Textiles, Native American Baskets, Pottery, and North American Indian hand-made treasures. 

Questions? call 520-455-5020 or email info@navajorug.com

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