Last weekend’s Heard Museum Indian Market and Guild Fair in Phoenix took place under sunny skies and a balmy 81 degree temperature. The event was well-attended, although the quiet buzz among artist participants was worry over the effects of the economy. Fine and decorative art sales usually suffer when the economy is perceived as weakened. The jewelers told me how the price of silver and gold and other precious materials had gone up, and their dilemma was whether to pass on these costs in raised prices or not. Having attended the Fair last year, I didn’t see a too appreciably obvious rise in prices, but this trend has to have had an effect on consumers. 

Nothing stopped us collectors who swarmed the sidewalks of Central Ave prior to the opening of the gates. I sprinted to my favorite jeweler’s booth and had first choice of two delectable Navajo silver and stone bracelet cuffs. My favorite clothing designers, Virginia Ballinger-Yazzie (Navajo) and Tammy Beauvais (Iroquois), had a blanket coat and shawl just waiting for me. Serious buying completed, I could relax and enjoy the fair and the many friends and acquaintances encountered. If you want to see the result of one collector’s infatuation and determination to learn how to buy well, check out this book: Southwest Silver Jewelry.