Support Local: Shopping at Four Corners

 
Support Local Shopping Series: Hi there friends, I’m Lauren! For those who are new to my blog, you may not already know that two of my [many] passions are traveling and shopping. Combine these two loves and so was born my Support Local Shopping Series! In this series I share all about the local vendors and artisans I’ve discovered during my travels! Whether they’re artists, designers, craftsmen, or farmers every single one has something incredibly special to share! If you’re someone who likes to bring home unique gifts, seeks out truly one-of-a-kind souvenirs, or simply loves supporting the locals, you’ve come to the right place!
Support Local: Shopping at Four Corners
Have you heard of the infamous Four Corners Monument in the US? If not, it’s a landmark and popular tourist attraction in Navajo Nation where four US states [New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado] meet. It’s actually the only place in the country where four different states intersect at a perfect point.
Unfortunately, the monument itself is pretty much a complete tourist trap: it costs $5 a person to enter the parking lot and is basically just one long line of people waiting to pose for a picture. [Which of course, I couldn’t resist]
The concept behind it all is pretty cool [I mean who doesn’t want to say they were in four places at once?], but it’s turned into just another tacky site attracting the camera-carrying masses. If you don’t Instagram it, did it even happen?
Still, if you happen to be in the area, I’d definitely say the Four Corners Monument is worth a visit! And surprisingly, this isn’t the gramer in me talking, it’s the shopper 😀

Lining the monument, in a square crossing the state borders, are a bunch of little stands run by the local Navajos. Some of the merchandise is a little dingy and definitely overpriced, but if you take a closer look you can find some real gems (pun intended)!
Luckily I got to visit during the off-season, so I was able to spend a good amount of time browsing without getting hassled by the usual crowds.
Visiting on an off day also gave me an opportunity to chat with the different Navajo craftsmen I planned to purchase from. They were all so friendly and open and some of their stories were really extraordinary!
Meeting the artist behind a craft is truly my favorite part of shopping!
These were my two favorite stands:
Leroy & Erma Jewelry
Leroy and Erma’s handmade bracelets attracted my attention right away. Their elegant display, sprinkled with stones, propping up the delicate bangles with small rocks certainly stood out among the other stands! These nickel-silver arm charms are adorned with hand-etched designs and semi-precious stones like turquoise. Leroy and his wife design each and every piece themselves and while they may be considered costume jewelry, they’re gorgeous and a real steal! At only $20 apiece you better believe I didn’t leave empty handed!
 

There were also similarly styled reasonably priced necklaces and earrings available!

Leroy had the warmest smile and he even invited me in the back for a picture!
 
Wayne Tom’s Navajo Sandpainting
The art of Navajo Sandpainting was originally used by native medicine men during their healing ceremonies. The medicine man would create a large loose painting, either on animal skins or cloth and place the patient in the middle of it. They would then run some of the sand from the painting over the patient during the ritual. Later the piece would be destroyed, hoping to eliminate any illness along with it.
Today sandpainting is a popular tourist curiosity and Navajo art form, despite the fact that the pieces available for sale are rarely authentic. Authentic sandpaintings are considered sacred to the Navajos and are not to be used solely for viewing purposes. For this reason most of the available souvenirs are made with deliberate errors using variations of the originals. Still every colorful detailed design holds a specific meaning important to Navajo values and ideals.

Wayne Tom is kind of a big deal in the Navajo sandpainting world, which may not be surprising taking a look at his intricate artwork. His art has been shown in trade shows and galleries all over the US! My father and I had the pleasure of talking to him for quite a while and he thoroughly explained his story and his craft to us!

All of his designs are applied freehand using pulverized rocks, roots, flowers and bark to create natural color. He sticks these different minerals to the sand using his extremely complicated, top-secret ingredient– Elmer’s glue! Wayne Tom swears by this method and assured us the color’s not going anywhere!

Wayne also finishes off each painting with an explanation of its meaning, his signature and the date it was made making it the perfect gift or keepsake!

 
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