Friday, September 18, 2015

Purchase Native American Merchandise Online

By Daphne Bowen


The New World was occupied by many great nations made up of several individual tribes prior to the Europeans colonizing it. Each one had its own culture, belief system and unique style of craftsmanship and artistry. Modern descendants from these mighty people strive to carry on the treasured traditions of quality crafting, enabling the masses to buy authentic Native American merchandise online easily.

On designated lands known as reservations, several of the tribes still live and operate as completely independent nations, following their own laws, religions and ways. Modern day artisans residing in and around those borders have dedicated their lives to keeping the practices of their ancestral craftsmen active. They utilize trade secrets and skills that have been passed down through the generations.

The sun, moon, stars, animals, nature and religion are some of things with which the tribesmen have long felt a spiritual connection and as such, they are commonly represented in their art. The traditional use of only organic materials in their creations seems to give each hand crafted piece a special ambiance. Beads, feathers, quills, wood, sand, stone, shells, gems, clay, silver, bone, leather and wool are just a sampling of the natural supplies often utilized.

There are companies who will mass produce products based on the various styles of these tribes, to sell as representative pieces. These items generally tend to be manufactured by machines in great quantities and fabricated using synthetic materials like plastic, nylon and acrylic. Authentic works will always be crafted by hand utilizing traditional construction practices.

Souvenir focused websites tend to feature such popular items as beaded purses, dream catchers, seed bead bracelets, jewelry made of silver and turquoise, drums, moccasins and totem poles. These are the type of things that the general population associates with the tribal communities most easily. They also sell novelty products like books, paintings, posters, key chains and trinkets.

A more elite line of products are typically offered on websites that feature authentically crafted pieces. These could be such items as carvings in soapstone or whale bone done by the Alaskan Innuit and Yupik tribes, or enchanting kachina dolls that are a Hopi specialty. Navajo rugs are frequently sought out because each one is an original piece, hand woven on a loom using high quality wool with the greatest of skill.

Hundreds of tribes produce so many incredible works of art in the form of clay pottery, woven baskets, beaded fabric, masks and musical instruments. Each one being a true treasure, created individually by hand. A determined shopper may even be able to purchase items made using the quills of porcupines, which were standard decoration before the discovery of beading.

Websites that primarily feature authentic items may offer specialized products that are harder to find on general markets. This might include pieces such as headdresses done in the many styles worn by both warriors and chieftains within all of the different tribes. Collectors of fine handiwork could also seek out treasured crafts like medicine wheels, hoop masks, baleen baskets, fetish carvings, or very detailed sand paintings.




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