The outdoor fair brings two dozen vendors of Native American arts, crafts, d\u00e9cor and jewelry every year to Old Town. Wares come from the Navajo, Cherokee, Hopi, Pima, Isleta Pueblo and Santo Domingo Pueblo tribes.<\/p>\n Some vendors are crowd favorites, some are talents spotted by the Bazaar coordinators throughout the year and some are found through the national Indian Arts and Crafts Association (IACA). This year, five of the Marketplace artists are previous \u201cArtists of the Year\u201d through the IACA.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery year, we try to bring exciting artists and new people in,\u201d explained Leslie Gregory, manager of The Gallery at Bazaar del Mundo and co-organizer of the Santa Fe Marketplace.<\/p>\n One of those new artists is Veronica Benally of Gallup, New Mexico. Benally makes intricate inlaid jewelry, primarily with turquoise and coral: stabilized turquoise mostly, as American turquoise became a rare and expensive item when the mines closed down (also see many American turquoise items at returning vendor Silver Sun\u2019s booth). Benally notes that in the Navajo, the color turquoise represents prosperity and wealth.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s how the holy people recognize someone in the spirit world,\u201d she explained. Turquoise allows the holy people to offer that person protection and bring good things.<\/p>\n Benally works with her husband, Ernest, who makes larger, more extravagant pieces, in a studio behind their house. They have their own equipment to cut and refine stone to fit their imagined designs.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like putting our own puzzle together,\u201d Veronica said.<\/p>\n Other jewelers will also be showing their talents. Frederico brings bold pieces of turquoise, red coral and pearl. Kim Yubeta uses vintage beads in a variety of gemstones, such as lapis, oyster, amber and jet, in her necklaces. Lester Abeyta\u2019s engraving and stonework includes beaded necklaces and lightweight earrings. And that\u2019s just to name a few.<\/p>\n Concho belts are another popular item at the marketplace. Some are made by the vendor displaying them, like Veronica\u2019s unique designs. Last year, a belt she made with spiny oyster shells and sleeping beauty turquoise won \u201cBest of Show\u201d at the Museum of Man\u2019s native market in Balboa Park.<\/p>\n Some have unknown stories behind them. Art Quintana of Art Quintana\u2019s Indian Trading Company brings his \u201cdead pawn\u201d for perusal. At his pawnshop in New Mexico, people use jewelry and other goods for collateral to borrow money. While most loans are paid off, less than 5 percent of these items do go unclaimed. After 14 months and two official notices, the unclaimed collateral becomes available for sale. Quintana has been bringing boxes full of these items to the Santa Fe Marketplace for more than 30 years.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople just like digging through the boxes,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s like a treasure hunt.\u201d<\/p>\n Treasure shoppers find include handmade sterling silver trinkets, squash blossom necklaces, bolos and concho belts. He has many other goods on display as well for those who don\u2019t want to forage for their wares.<\/p>\n![\"Screen](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Screen-Shot-2016-09-09-at-1.25.55-PM.png\")
<\/a>Take in the sights, sounds and rich art of Native American culture at Bazaar del Mundo\u2019s 35th annual Santa Fe Marketplace.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>
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