Ornament Marketplace

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• One-of-a-kind ornaments made by Native American artists
• Featured artists in-store selling their ornaments throughout the weekend
• Ornaments starting at $24
• Limited edition signature ornament by Tim Blueflint (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa)
• The Museum Shop has a variety of unique gifts for all holiday needs
• Plenty of free parking available makes for easy and hassle-free holiday shopping

Decorate your home this holiday season with handmade Native American ornaments acquired at the Heard Museum Shop’s Annual Ornament Marketplace. You will find unique ornaments in a variety of styles and mediums for each person on your holiday list or branch on your tree.

Featured artist, Tim Blueflint (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), has created 40 limited edition signature ornaments for this year’s marketplace. He has created a sterling silver waterbird with connecting star. Each signature ornament is signed and numbered by the artist and can also be worn as a pendant.

The signature ornament will go on sale at 10:00 A.M. on the first day of Ornament Marketplace, Friday, November 25 for $195 each.

*All ornaments are available while supplies last so visit us early for optimal selection. Because of the handmade nature of these items, there will be slight color and style variation of ornaments available. Signature ornaments cannot be held for purchase prior to the event.*

Patrons will find ornaments by Native American artists such as:

Ronald Chee (Navajo)
Michele Tapia Browning (Santa Clara)
Buddy Tubinaghtewa (Hopi)
Sheryl Susunkewa (Hopi)
Elizabeth Whitethorne Benally (Navajo)
Yolanda LaMone (Navajo)
Kevin Sekakuku (Hopi)
& More!

SIGNATURE ORNAMENT & ARTIST BIO (from artist):

Tim Blueflint Ramel is a citizen of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

A self-taught artist, he is highly respected in the Native American art community for the high standards of quality, beauty and elegance of his traditional and contemporary Native American Flutes and Jewelry. He is the recipient of over 30 international and national awards, including the 2021 Helen Cox Kersting Award and the 2015 Santa Fe Indian Market Innovation Award. His creative process was featured on the TV show “How It’s Made”. He has served as Artist-in-Residence for Eiteljorg Museum of Western and Native American Art in Indianapolis, IN. Blueflint has presented discussions on Collaborations Amidst a Global Pandemic, Turquoise: Real or Natural, flute making for the City of Las Vegas, NV and the Eiteljorg

Museum and an under-grad Master Class entitled “Applied Physics and the Native American Flute” at Purdue University. Tim Blueflint is currently Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the Native Arts Community Foundation, has served on the Education Foundation Board for the former Indian Arts and Crafts Association and has held Advisory positions on the boards for Resources for Uncovering Wonder and the Silver Sage Foundation.

Drawing inspiration from his familial stories, historical perspectives, and life experiences, Blueflint’s works are highly detailed, infused with care and creative passion. He combines and melds multiple art forms and techniques to further the evolution of his unique art forms, creating a unique voice in a complex and convoluted world. Through his art, Blueflint strives to provide his collectors a connection to tradition and inspire his vision of cultural identity and pride.

Ornament description:

The Commonality of the People

There came a time when the Great Creator made all the people and placed them in the far corners of the earth.

The People where taught all the things they needed for their physical and spiritual lives; how the world around them moved and changed through the seasons, to be thankful and respectful to each being, whether it be two-legged, four-legged, winged, finned, green-growing or stone.

They also learned of the Messengers, those beings that could fly so high, it was possible carry our prayers to and see the face of the Great Creator. These things were learned in the different lands and based on the People’s immediate environment, yet there was a commonality woven in the symbolism throughout the lands.

The Waterbird, like the Dove, represents the presence of the Great Creator and has the ability to carry our prayers and intentions after ceremony and manifest them into the physical and spiritual realms we, as human beings, inhabit. The star is representative of the Heavens and our connection to the Higher Spiritual Power. Together, they represent the hopes and answered prayers of all the People.

As we move towards and remember the original teachings, these symbols that connect us to the above and below, may we come to recognize that we share more in common in our existence than divides us.

Admission to the Heard Museum Shop is always free (museum admission additional).