Last weekend, Sara R posted the third diary in the Spring, 2013 edition of the Kos Katalogue. We have dozens of artists, craftspeople, and merchants on this site who create and sell wonderful products and services, and whose businesses need support. With spring officially here, we have lots of gift opportunities in the offing - Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, weddings, new babies, and of course all the usual birthdays and other festivities. The focus this week is on graduates and friends, but spring is also a time for marking any new and important, exciting, or affirming chapter in life - someone else's or your own. Sometimes, it's important to recognize these changes with something that recognizes deeper meanings. We can help with that.
Sprite by Andrew Lang, image from wikipedia
Last winter, the Kos Katalogue launched the Secret Santa program: Kossacks nominated people (themselves or others) for specific items for Kos Katalogue merchants, and orange elves went to work donating to make it happen. It's now Spring, and Santa's busy prepping for Christmas, but never fear - we have the Sprite of Spring! Kind of like Rite of Spring, only with more bling: She helps make sure that Spring-y gifts make it to their intended owners. It all works exactly the same way, so if you want something from Wings's inventory but can't justify spending the money on yourself, or if you know of someone who you think needs a particular piece, let me know in comments or Kosmail, and I'll put them on the list.
You can see our current nominees, and the objects of their desire, in the tip jar.
WINGS: HANDS ON SILVER
In past editions, I've included items from our inventory that are made by other Native artists. In looking through photos of our current inventory for this edition, though, I realized that so many of Wings's existing pieces were appropriate for this week's theme that I decided to limit this one strictly to his silverwork. We do still have a huge assortment of other types of Native art - dreamcatchers, drums, fetishes, katsinam, leatherwork, medicine wheels, paintings, pottery, sculpture, weapons, and much more - by Native artists from the area, so if you're looking for something along those lines, leave me a comment or Kosmail me. But if you're looking for examples of gorgeous traditional silversmithing with enough of a contemporary edge to wear anytime, anywhere, follow me over the jump.
BRACELETS
The cuff bracelet is the iconic item when it comes to Southwestern Indian jewelry. Part of that is simply the fact that they've been worn traditionally by our peoples in this part of the country for a very long time. Part of it, however, is their versatility: most are unisex; they're easy-on/easy-off; they can dress up evening wear or dress down blue jeans; and stylistically, nearly anything can be done with them - cast, cut, stamped, overlay, underlay, inlay, plain metal, bezel-set gemstones, you name it. We have several additional cuffs besides those that appear here. What follows is simply a selection of our inventory, at a range of price points, that might be appropriate for new graduates or those embarking on some new stage of their lives.
"Spirit Lodges" Anticlastic Cuff Bracelet. Sterling silver. $275 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Sacred Peaks" Cuff Bracelet. Sterling silver. $325 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"North Star" Cuff Bracelet. Sterling silver with overlay. $325 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Sacred Drops" Cuff Bracelet. Solid sterling silver heavy-gauge triangle wire. $375 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Heaven's Eye" Cuff Bracelet. Sterling silver; Sleeping Beauty turquoise. $325 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Finding Buffalo" Dual-Strand Cuff Bracelet. Sterling silver; Sacred White Buffalo turquoise. $385 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Corn Beetle" Cuff Bracelet. Sterling silver; onyx. $375 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Spider Woman" Cuff Bracelet. Sterling silver; Sleeping Beauty turquoise; lapis lazuli. $1,200 (+ $25 shipping/insurance).
"Morning Star Blossoms" Belt Buckle. Sterling silver. $255 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Night Lodge" Belt Buckle. Sterling silver. $255 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"The Way of the Sun" Concha-Style Belt Buckle. Sterling silver; turquoise. $525 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Sunburst Sky" Concha-Style Belt Buckle. Sterling silver; turquoise. $480 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Spirit Path" Miniature Collector's Spoon. Sterling silver. $125 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Honor Fan" Drop Earrings. Hammered sterling silver. $135 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Evening Star" Earrings. Sterling silver; tiger's eye. $145 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Sun Serpent" Concha-Style Earrings. Sterling silver. $235 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Wind Dancer" Dragonfly Necklace. Sterling silver. $325 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"The World On Her Back" Turtle Necklace. Sterling silver; pottery sherd; beads. $975 (+ $20 shipping/insurance).
"Buffalo River" Pendant. Sterling silver. $125 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Buffalo Lightning" Pendant. Sterling silver. $125 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Dawn's Guide" Spirit Horse Pin. Sterling silver; garnet. $225 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Moonlit Trail" Spirit Horse Pin. Sterling silver; lapis lazuli. $225 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).
"Evergreen" Tree Pin. Sterling silver; onyx; Sleeping Beauty turquoise; jade. $95 (+ $10 shipping/insurance).