What made you start your Native American Jewelry blog?
I am the manager of a large website www.horsekeeping.com where we have hundreds of articles on horse training and care, Native American jewelry, and vintage Dooney & Bourke handbags. Every day I receive a dozen or so questions and I soon saw that many of the questions were similar so I thought it would be helpful to post the answers and other information on a blog. That way, people could get some of their questions answered by searching our article base. Here is our Native American jewelry article list which has all of the articles on my blog plus others I had written before I started the blog.
Besides general information, I also answer more specific questions about people’s personal jewelry, hallmarks, and that sort of thing on the blog. I receive many questions of that nature so there are always 30-50 in the queue and there is about a 2 month lag time before an answer is posted. I provide what information I know or have access to and when I don’t have any answers, I post the photos and question so that others who read the blog might comment with something they know.
How long have you been curating Native American objects?
I’ve had Native American objects since childhood. I’ve been the manager here since 1997, so at this point 16 years of gathering and dispersing jewelry and other artifacts. I am a conduit – a channel for contemporary artists to display their wares to the public AND a way for people who have Native American jewelry collections to downsize or disperse them. One of the biggest parts of my jobs is evaluating and purchasing estate lots – it is common for people to inherit a relative’s Native American jewelry collection yet they have no knowledge or interest in it. I offer guidelines for them to establish value for their pieces. We buy about 10-15 collections per month.
How did you get your start?
I suggested to the owners of the website that they might like to offer some Native American made horse jewelry as a side line for the horse books they have written. So it started that way. Gradually I added categories over the years and now we offer quite a wide variety of Native American items.
Any advice for others that want to start an online store?
Do what you love. The money will follow. I am passionate about Native American jewelry (and vintage Dooney & Bourke handbags, another department of the store and a separate blog that I started) so all the research and photographing and describing is like play rather than work. That’s the key. Pursue your passions and the days are filled with discoveries and learning and sharing.
At first keep things simple. Start small, continually monitor, expand in parallel categories slowly. Provide as much information and description as you can. Not only will your customers appreciate that but the search engines will love you too.
What has been your favorite piece that you've found so far?
This pendant which I purchased for myself. It came in a large estate lot and I listed it in our pawn shop but kept looking at it and thinking about it and finally just had to make it mine. There is something about this pendant that just connected with me.
If you could go back in time to visit any tribe what tribe would it be and why?
I would visit the ancient Hopi during the time their legends related to deities were forming because their petroglyphs, kachinas and symbolism indicate a very powerful time. I would like to be there.
I also would like to spend time in the Great Sioux Nation in the late 1700s when the prairie grass was lush, buffalo were plentiful and life was good because I strongly relate to the Lakota horse culture.
Any inspiring moments or advice you'd like to share?
In terms of blogging or an internet store, ask yourself “Why am I doing this?” If it is a personal adventure or for social interaction, enjoy and the sky is the limit !
If, however, you hope to make money (profit) then plan to spend time every day of the week on your website and/or blog, adding new content or items, correcting glitches, and handing customer service issues. If you hope that your website can become your main source of income, you will need to spend much more than 40 hours a week in the first few years setting it up and grooming it. Success on the internet does not come overnight but with diligence it does come.
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