Last week we spontaneously materialized a road trip on a wing and a prayer. On an idea to go visit the Indian Market in Santa Fe, which happens once a year. Why? Because lately I've been feeling stagnant in my work, lethargic in my shows, and in desperate need of a shift in energy. This trip once again proved to me that you can basically make anything happen that you would like to happen. It was positively rejuvenating! So here's the abbreviated version.
First stop, Kingman, Arizona. There I was delighted to discover a Mermaid lover in the desert, namely Carmella, owner of Sirens' Cafe.
And not only that! Carmella stays open late one night a week and makes PIZZA. Homemade GOURMET PIZZA. Serendipitously the same night we were in Kingman. Double score!! We got to enjoy her amazing food while surrounded by her Mermaid collection, AND I got to share my Mermaid work with her as well. Here we are spreading the Mermaid Love.
Next Stop: Gallup New Mexico
In Gallup the highlight on the way out was visiting the Flea Market on Saturday Morning. It was definitely a local event, and so fun. You could buy everything from beads
to bunny rabbits,
to herbal remedies for everything from allergies to spider bites.
And everything and anything in between.
Back on the road, the landscape turned even prettier.
We spent the night in Albuquerque and headed over to Santa Fe on Sunday Morning. Seeing the sign for the Indian Market brought tears to my eyes, because a week earlier we were just imagining we might go, and then POOF! Here we are. Incredible.
This is a BIG market. 600 Native American Artists. And we walked the entire event. The work was simply another level. Very, very beautiful. Highlights for me:
Finding a Mermaid in Santa Fe. This is the work of Tiffany Adams, of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe. I am here with her painting of the water spirit that she calls Watseep Malputs. A very beautiful piece, by a very beautiful and kind spirited artist.
The next highlight:
Meeting Navajo Jewelry Artist Tonya June Rafael, enjoying her large drop dead gorgeous pieces, and then spontaneously selling her the Mermaid pendant I was wearing around my neck. What an HONOR that she loved my piece. That was a very special moment for me!
And finally meeting up with our Native American Jewelry collector friend Robert from Los Angeles,
who was selling for the first time at the El Dorado Hotel off the Plaza.
Here we are with Robert and Friends...
I know Lalo enjoyed bonding with the Turquoise.
And believe me, there was no shortage of Turquoise at this event.
It's a staple in these parts.
It was a fabulous and inspiring day, and we spent the night in Bernalillo,
heading back the next day for another go round in Gallup.
And guess who we end up bumping into in Gallup? Robert! What are the chances.
Robert introduced us to one of our new favorite places there,
Perry Null Trading Company, where they let you try on anything you like.
I opted for this little Squash Blossom number by Navajo Artist Andy Cadman, priced at $15,000. It was simply to die for, but alas I needed to leave it there. Sigh.
Robert, however, was able to bring home a Turquoise Butterfly, and he was pretty happy about that.
Robert treated us to dinner in Gallup at Jerry's Cafe and it
was DELICIOUS.
Lucky us and "Thanks, Robert"!
We stayed in Gallup one more night and I finally got that swim that every Mermaid needs.
Highlights on the way home were another day in Kingman, Arizona,
where we coveted more Turquoise...
This was my favorite cab,
while I think Lalo preferred this piece. Alas, at least for now those pieces needed to stay there, too, just like Gallup. But it sure was fun to look!
The last wonderful surprise was discovering Laughlin, Nevada on the way home, a place where neither of us has been. We had a great buffet dinner at the Avi Casino with a view of the Colorado River, proving yet again that this Mermaid can find water in the desert.
We came back to Los Angeles content and happy, and it was great to be out on the road again. Thanks so much for following along!
Love,
Linda
