Rugs Of The Week - From The Benale Family

by John Aldrich

The Pinon food run is hosted by the Benale family. It's one of the smaller runs, and it's also an outdoor event. These are among the reasons that this tends to be a favorite among volunteers. It's part of the sequence of food runs based out of Chinle.

Pinon is quite a drive from Chinle, in one of the more remote areas of the reservation. And the Benales' homeland is actually even further, located in an area known as Forest Lake. They live on the edge of the Hopi Reservation on the flank of Black Mesa.

The recent additions to the rug catalog include a few from this family of very skilled weavers.

The first rug is called Butterflies and was woven by Jane Benale.

This evocative pattern in bold colors measures 19" x 24" and is priced at $135. The catalog listing is 7401.

Here is a photo of Jane taken at the May 2011 food run when she was honored with one of our ANE Limited Edition Pendleton blankets.

The other two featured rugs were woven by nieces of Jane. First is a Four Corner rug by Susie Benale.

This rug measures 25" x 36" and is priced at $600. Catalog listing is 7409.

This photo of Susie was also taken at the May 2011 food run.

The final rug is by Elsie Benale.

She calls it a Personal Design, but the inspiration seems derived from the traditional Ganado style of weaving. This rug is 6893 in the catalog. It measures 32" x 57" and sells for $1500.

The Benale family attends the rug show every November, and this photo of Elsie shows her explaining some of the rugs to an audience at a weavers' demonstration during the show.

All three of these rugs exhibit tasteful combinations of striking and unusual colors. The Benales are weavers of consummate skill, and you have a wide range of prices and sizes to choose from here.

To see more rugs, new and old, visit the Rug Catalog.

See this 2010 post for more information about the rug catalog.

Notes: Every effort has been made to photograph and present the rugs with as accurate rendition of color as possible. It's not possible, however, to be certain that your computer won't show some variance. Where two prices are listed in the catalog, the higher represents what the weaver hopes to receive and the lower, the minimum she will accept. As has always been the case at ANE all the proceeds of every rug sale go entirely to the weaver. Prices are set by the weaver, and since there is no "middleman" they are typically very reasonable.

And to see more of what's happening at ANE visit us on Facebook.

Weaving The Night Sky - Rug Show Theme 2012

by Linda Myers 

(Note: This post describes how the theme for this year's rug show evolved. Join us for the show at Deer Valley in Park City this fall, November 2-4.)

At the 2011 Rug Show, I had lunch with one of the Elders and her granddaughter.  The granddaughter had been struggling to stay in school and maintain positive family relationships.  Her grandmother explained that there is an order in life which was established from the very beginning when the Holy Ones made their plans for setting up the sky.  She said that when we go out in the evening and stand on Mother Earth we need to look up at the night sky and we will see the order above us.

The grandma said that there are star beings who watch over us.  She described how the moon changes at certain times, just like we do.  Sometimes we only show a little of ourselves, just like the quarter moon.  But regardless of the phase of the moon, its light is always there shining on us.  Sometimes when we have struggles with our families, we need to go outside at night and listen quietly to the stillness.  The stars teach us to be quiet and reflective.

She said that in traditional ceremonies people wait for certain stars to be above the hogan before starting and that different ceremonies are held during different seasons.  She said, “We always watch the night sky for guidance.”

As I listened to the grandma speak, I felt the faith she had in her beliefs and the strength of her connection to the skies.  There was such a beauty in the way that she talked about the stars.

Later, I met with all of the weavers to talk about the possibility of weaving the night sky for this Rug Show.  I asked them if they would be willing to share their traditional stories of the stars.  The Elders listened then discussed their perspectives.  Some said that they would weave rugs that represented the traditional star beings that appear in the sky when they weave their rugs.  Some said they would weave the stars in the skies over their homelands.

The special rug featured on the cover of this year's rug catalog was woven by Miriam Whitehair.  Miriam wove the rug to represent the sacred mountains at dusk.  The evening stars, represented by crosses, fill the sky.  The moon is shown with her feathers.  The corn stalk represents the sacredness of life.  A chief’s blanket at the bottom of the rug represents the male.  Miriam is a young weaver.  As we discussed her rug, I was touched by her knowledge of traditional teachings and their importance to her.

We received many rugs.  Some of the weavers even wove several rugs because they enjoyed weaving the stars.  Each rug has a story of sacredness associated with the design that brings me back to the grandma’s teaching to her granddaughter.

Rug(s) Of The Week - Handspun Rugs by Nettie Tsinajinnie

by John Aldrich

Continuing with rugs that have been newly added to the catalog, this week we feature two handspun rugs by Nettie Tsinajinnie. Nettie is a traditional Navajo Elder who lives in Nazlini and attends the Many Farms food run. She weaves rugs the old way using wool from her own sheep that she has processed herself. This is a declining skill as younger weavers almost always use commercial yarn.

The first rug is a beautiful Star Dazzler and, at 49" x 76", is one of the largest in the current catalog:

This is a gorgeous rug and is priced at $1650. That might seem like a lot of money, but for a rug this size and quality, it's a real bargain. The catalog listing is 7291.

The other new rug from Nettie is also a large one. Star Burst measures 46" x 58" and is selling for $950:

The catalog listing for this rug is 7290.

Here is a picture of Nettie by her loom:

And here she uses a traditional hip spindle to spin her yarn.

To see more rugs, new and old, visit the Rug Catalog.

See this 2010 post for more information about the rug catalog.

Notes: Every effort has been made to photograph and present the rugs with as accurate rendition of color as possible. It's not possible, however, to be certain that your computer won't show some variance. Where two prices are listed in the catalog, the higher represents what the weaver hopes to receive and the lower, the minimum she will accept. As has always been the case at ANE all the proceeds of every rug sale go entirely to the weaver. Prices are set by the weaver, and since there is no "middleman" they are typically very reasonable.

And to see more of what's happening at ANE visit us on Facebook.

What's Happening At ANE?

• Tuesday July 3: There will be no volunteer activities today. Enjoy the holiday.
• Wednesday July 3: There will be no ANE booth at the Park City Farmers' Market today.
• Friday July 6: Regular volunteer activities.
• Tuesday July 10: Regular volunteer activities.
• Wednesday July 11: Visit the ANE booth at the Park City Farmers' Market.
• Friday July 13: Regular volunteer activities.
• Tuesday July 17: Regular volunteer activities.
• Wednesday July 18: Visit the ANE booth at the Park City Farmers' Market.
• Friday July 20: Regular volunteer activities.
• Tuesday July 24: Regular volunteer activities.
• Wednesday July 25: Visit the ANE booth at the Park City Farmers' Market.
• Friday July 27: Regular volunteer activities.
• Tuesday July 31: Regular volunteer activities.

For more detailed information about volunteer activities please visit the Volunteer Activities page of our web site.

See You Later, Brenda (and Pete and Samantha)

by John Aldrich

In 2005 a star burst onto the firmament at ANE when Brenda Carey, newly arrived in the Heber City area, was looking for an organization with which she could volunteer. Brenda quickly became deeply involved with the program, taking on the huge responsibility of rug show volunteer coordinator almost immediately and then serving as Linda's assistant for several years until her daughter, Samantha, was born in 2009.

Liked by everyone, Brenda brought to all of her roles at ANE her talent for organization and efficiency. This helped to bring a renewed spirit of volunteerism to the warehouse as well as the rug show. She spent many hours working behind the scenes helping Linda in Park City and also took over some of the food run responsibilities in order to somewhat reduce Linda's burden.

Her genial husband, Pete, joined her on many of the food runs where he was a great asset on the box crew, sometimes serving as the logistical director. And it wasn't just because he had a 3/4-ton pickup truck that we liked having him around.

After Samantha's arrival in early 2009, Brenda's involvement with ANE was necessarily interrupted, but as soon as she was able, she again started to help Linda in Park City as much as possible. In 2010 Samantha was able to join Pete and Brenda on a food run to Oljato and Navajo Mountain. This went so well that she attended 2 additional food runs where she was a great hit with everyone, volunteers as well as Elders.

Now, Pete has a new job and the family will be moving to Colorado. Brenda has just completed yoga teacher training, so can look forward to something of a new career herself. We will greatly miss all of them.

Here are a few photos highlighting Brenda's time at ANE:

The first photo I have of Brenda shows her at the rug show in 2005 where she is already working as volunteer coordinator.

By spring of 2007 she had started assisting Linda on food runs. Here she greets Jean Fatt at the Oljato run.

Brenda started taking her turn at the microphone, as she does here, introducing volunteers at the Tsaile food run in May 2007.

At the same food run, she poses with a happy preschooler who has received a child's gift package.

In late June 2007 ANE sponsored a celebration for centenarians across the reservation. Brenda played a role at this event.

At the spring 2008 food run at Oljato, a group of performers from Monument Valley High School were invited to sing and dance for us. After they were finished, everyone joined together in some more dancing.

Later that spring at the Many Farms food run Brenda passes out food certificates to the Elders.

Brenda's parents were visiting at the time of the rug show in 2008. Here her mother joined her to help at the volunteer check-in desk.

After her hiatus from ANE following the birth of Samantha, Brenda returned to the food runs with the whole family in August 2010. Here they are during introductions at the Navajo Mountain food run.

At this food run they were able to visit with their adopted Elder, Jerry Smallcanyon.

Samantha returned for two more food runs - this one in March 2011, where volunteers are gathered on the patio at the San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat before leaving for Oljato.

And again in August 2011 where Samantha helps her mother demonstrate how to use the shovel that each male Elder received at the Oljato food run.

Brenda's mother, Mary, prefers saying, "See You Later" to "Goodbye" since it implies a more hopeful outcome at a time of parting. We're confident that we'll see Brenda, and Pete, and Samantha again soon.

Rug(s) Of The Week - New Storm Rugs

by John Aldrich

Among the new rugs that were recently added to the catalog are six beautiful storm pattern rugs. A previous post discussed the distinctive characteristics of this pattern, and this set of rugs illustrates some of the variety of design features that can be found in this popular rug style.

Storm rugs sell well, and it's unlikely that all of these rugs will remain in the catalog until the rug show. If you're tempted - - - don't wait!

Storm by Delorcita Francis: 30" x 44", $900, catalog listing 7106.

Storm by May Shay: 21" x 30", $175, catalog listing 7311.

 Storm by Anna Jean Bahe: 35" x 56", $700, catalog listing 7300.

Storm by Lucille Silver: 24" x 36", $500, catalog listing 7404.

Storm by Glenna Begay: 29" x 40", $650, catalog listing 7406.

Storm by Rita Jishie: 31" x 42", $600, catalog listing 7335.

To see more rugs, new and old, visit the Rug Catalog.

See this 2010 post for more information about the rug catalog.

Notes: Every effort has been made to photograph and present the rugs with as accurate rendition of color as possible. It's not possible, however, to be certain that your computer won't show some variance. Where two prices are listed in the catalog, the higher represents what the weaver hopes to receive and the lower, the minimum she will accept. As has always been the case at ANE all the proceeds of every rug sale go entirely to the weaver. Prices are set by the weaver, and since there is no "middleman" they are typically very reasonable.

And to see more of what's happening at ANE visit us on Facebook.

Rug of the Week - White Handspun by Sally Yazzie

by John Aldrich

Blindness would seem to be the most tragic affliction that could beset a weaver. Yet, despite their failing vision, many of our Elders who are so affected continue to weave since it's so much a part of who they are. Sally Yazzie is a prime example of what a blind weaver can accomplish with determination.

Sally is one of the Big Mountain Elders who relocated to the Sanders area of the reservation. Her solution to dealing with blindness has been to weave rugs of one color, usually white. She is completely traditional in that she weaves with wool from her own sheep that she has cleaned, carded, and spun herself.

Here is a new addition to the catalog, a white handspun rug of exquisite softness and beauty:

This rug measures 32" x 60" and is selling for the remarkably low price of $450. It always seems surprising to me that handspun rugs, with all the extra time and effort involved, typically sell for less than comparably sized rugs woven with commercial yarn. The catalog listing is 7296.

There are currently two of these white rugs in the catalog. In the unlikely event that they remain unsold until the rug show, they are not likely to last long there. Sally's rugs are featured in the Heart Rug area of the show and usually sell quickly.

In 2009 Sally was the recipient of a generous gift from Barbara Spelman and Mary Weinzirl. They were able to locate a rare hand powered machine that cards yarn and presented it to Sally at the spring food run that year.

See this 2010 post for more information about the rug catalog.

Notes: Every effort has been made to photograph and present the rugs with as accurate rendition of color as possible. It's not possible, however, to be certain that your computer won't show some variance. Where two prices are listed in the catalog, the higher represents what the weaver hopes to receive and the lower, the minimum she will accept. As has always been the case at ANE all the proceeds of every rug sale go entirely to the weaver. Prices are set by the weaver, and since there is no "middleman" they are typically very reasonable.