Authentic Turquoise Jewelry, Fine Art and More at Old Town Event, Sept. 15 & 16

The Southwest is making a comeback, with boho lovers and free spirits across the country presenting bold pieces of turquoise, vibrant hues and Zapotec designs. Here in San Diego, the best of Southwest’s Native American jewelry, art and crafts will be on display and for sale at Bazaar del Mundo’s annual Santa Fe Marketplace, Friday and Saturday, September 15-16, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Amidst a vibrant outdoor marketplace, exquisite collections of authentic Native American jewelry, art, crafts and décor will be showcased from Navajo, Cherokee, Hopi, Pima, Isleta Pueblo and Santo Domingo Pueblo tribe members, along with other noted Southwestern artists demonstrating and selling their goods.

Visitors can take in dazzling sterling silver and multi-stone inlaid jewelry made with stunning turquoise, coral and other exotic stones, hand-woven Zapotec pillows and rugs, leather accessories, fetishes, storytellers, Pendleton blankets and more.

Returning to this year’s festival, pawn trader Art Quintana will appraise visitors’ fine Indian jewelry and family heirlooms (up to two pieces each). With 30 years in the Native American jewelry business, Quintana’s collection of traditional and contemporary necklaces, bracelets, rings, bolo ties, concho belts, earrings, beadwork and more, offers a treasure trove of items he has discovered in pawn shops throughout the Southwest.

Other artists include:

  • Federico, a celebrity-favorite jewelry designer whose stunning turquoise creations have been worn by Christie Brinkley, Ali McGraw, Elle McPherson and more.
  • Kim Yubeta uses vintage beads from far-off lands made of turquoise, coral, lapis, spiny oyster, amber, jet and onyx to fashion her necklaces that show in galleries throughout the Southwest.
  • Jesse Hummingbird pursues both Cherokee and other American Indian themes in his acrylic paintings in what he calls “intertribal fantasy.”
  • Anomaly Imports offers a huge selection of hand-woven Zapotec rugs, blankets, runners and more in glorious colors.
  • John Balloue’s vibrant acrylic and mixed media paintings are held in many private and public collections, including the Cherokee Museum in Tahlequah, Oklahoma; the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington DC; the SWAIA Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico; and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Veronica Benally, a traditional Navajo artist whose handmade silver and/or gold bracelets with natural stones were awarded “Best in Show” from the Museum of Man in Balboa Park. 

Visitors will also enjoy live musical performances, and mouth-watering cuisine from neighboring Casa Guadalajara.

For more information, visit www.bazaardelmundo.com.