1/8/09

Embracing the 'Native Indian' arts

One of the places we got to shop at on our trip to Oklahoma City yesterday, was the Cherokee Trading Post, a fave of mine. As the name suggests, they sell alot of handmade Native Indian items, ranging from gorgeous turquoise jewelry, clothing, collectibles, dream catchers and fantastic pottery.

I haven't mentioned this before, but handmade pottery has always been a favourite of mine to collect. So much so, that I actually took pottery classes for a year in my thirties. I made quite a few things, my mum has my favourite piece in her garden, a big glazed pot that was way too heavy to ship here.

As a consequence I am always really drawn to simple pottery designs and patterns. The last couple of times we made it to this store, I have loved this particular design and range, the artist is an Indian lady who signs them all. So yesterday I treated myself to one, with some of my Christmas money and I just thought I'd share it's beauty.

Living as we do in what was formerly the 'Wild West', both the Hubster and I like to incorporate some western touches into our home. We specifically chose this squat shaped pot, so it's safe from Bon-Bon the terror kitten knocking it over, as she has to investigate and prod everything we bring in!

17 comments:

Sherri said...

My grandmother collected Indian pottery, which she bought every time she visited Arizona, which was every winter for many, many years. You piece is very beautiful. Sarah, I have awarded you with the Lemonade Award, go to my blog and check it out!

George said...

Sarah, you got a beautiful piece. I'm glad it will be safe from Bon-Bon!

Anonymous said...

Not usually a fan of "things" . In my place they just collect dust, but that is lovely. The colours are so vivd and the design is gorgeous in its simplicity

Fab

Z.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Sarah--That is a beautiful pottery piece. I went to a conference in New Mexico in 1986 and spend some time in Santa Fe. NEAT place--and I fell in love with the Native Indian arts.
Hugs,
Betsy

Pam said...

Lovely lovely! I would LOVE to take a pottery class too, always been on my wish list of things to do. I buy things with that same idea in mind -- low center of gravity vs. cats.

Daryl said...

Advice .. can you put something inside the pot to weigh it down, that will keep Bon Bon from pushing it off whatever its on .. its absolutely lovely

Anonymous said...

Great piece of pottery. Loving the colour and simple design.

Kat said...

That is a mighty fine pot you got!

PS- I am glad that I was not the only one who was lost and had to use a Garmin GPS when I moved :)

Jan said...

This piece is beautiful and has my favourite colour in there !

A Brit in Tennessee said...

A lovely piece of pottery "don't mind if I say so"
When we lived in Colorado I collected quite a few native American-Indian pottery pieces, made by the local Manitou Cliff Dwellers. They have the most vibrant colors, and shows how talented these artisans are at their craft.
I hope you can weigh it down with something, like pebbles, poor puss would definately be in the dog house, if she broke that >^..^<

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great piece of pottery. I grew up in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah and grew to love the Southwest Native American pottery.

Walker said...

Nice pot. We visited the cowboy museum there once, loved it.

Jill of All Trades said...

How pretty. I like that one.

Janet said...

That's a beautiful pot, Sarah, Native American art is fabulous.

Not only do you live in the "Wild West," but in Indian Territory, or at least it was until 1907.

Winifred said...

That is a lovely piece, gorgeous colours and very simple.

Sandi McBride said...

Me too, Sarah. I love big clay pots and really get annoyed at plastic trying to appear elegant....I love the jar you have pictured here. Now I know what to get my niece, Sissy (who is from Oklahoma) to get me next time she visits her dad!
hugs
Sandi

Tonya Staab said...

That pot is gorgeous. I love pottery too. I would really love to take classes ... one day ... in all my spare time. *sigh*