Shop early and #BuyNative for the Holidays!
At Change Labs we have the everyday luxury of working with inspired Native artisans and creative entrepreneurs to elevate their ideas. As a result, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the love and the labor that goes into the creation of high-quality products created by Native hands and hearts. If you’re on the hunt for unique and authentic gifts for the holiday season, here’s our list of 12 inspired Native American gifts to shop early this year!
Ah-Shi Beauty, Navajo, Window Rock, AZ
"Ah-Shi" in Navajo means, "this is me, this is mine, that's me!" Ah-Shi Beauty, founded by Navajo entrepreneur Ahsaki Baa LaFrance-Chachere, is all about embracing one's unique beauty. This luxury cosmetic and skincare line is famous on the Navajo Nation for its long lasting lipcolors and flawless foundation. LaFrance-Chachere's instagram feed is filled with indigenous runway shows featuring Ah-Shi cosmetics and the made up faces of her satisfied customers. Side note: when we purchased lip products for this review, we received a lovely handwritten note from LaFrance-Chachere along with a complimentary gift!
2. Lotus & Layne, Navajo, Cornfields, AZ
In the market for luxury handcrafted leather-goods? Lotus & Layne ships its dreamy hand-stitched leather totes, wallets, and keychains from the Navajo Nation to customers across the United States and beyond. We’ve featured this business before and there’s a good reason for it! Lotus & Layne is the unique company that continuously produces new high-quality products while embracing a deeper social mission. While many people working to start a business leave the reservation for better access to financing and infrastructure, founders Summer and LaMandez Brown believed returning home to the Navajo Nation was essential to their success for their business, their family, and their community.
3. Sweet Pea Creations, Hopi & Lakota, Polacca, AZ
Are you in the market for freshly baked goods to compliment your holiday meals? Look no further than Sweet Pea Creations, a Native-owned company delivering within a 50 mile radius from their operations in Polacca, AZ. (Note that delivery outside 50 miles comes with additional cost) In addition to holiday baked goods, Sweet Pea is available for catering this holiday season! Need some meals in the interim? This innovative company has teamed up with Navajo-owned Coffee Pot Farms to develop the Navajo Nation’s first “meal kits,” a tasty box of freshly harvested pre-prepped ingredients, seasonings, and the recipe you’ll need to make your own hearty and healthy meal at home. Sweet Pea is posting its next Meal Kit on November 14th with scheduled delivery on November 21st! Order early to secure baked goods and meal kits from this specialty brand!
4. Designs by DSinger, Navajo, Navajo Nation
Daryan Singer, founder of Designs by DSinger on the Navajo Nation, designs traditional Navajo clothing with a twist. “Each skirt is made with love and good thoughts,” says Daryan, a full time graduate student who enjoys sewing and creating art. “I’m keeping it traditional with a cute twist.” Indeed, her tiered Navajo skirts are cut and sewn in the traditional style, but her use of patterns, color, and texture bring a surprise to each garment! Our favorite is her space-suit-silver three tiered Navajo skirt, which she pairs with wrapped Navajo moccasins. Designs by DSinger is accepting orders for the holidays!
5. Hashké, Navajo, Dallas, TX
Founder Reno Tsosie was always interested in fashion and entrepreneurship. While working in New York, he all too frequently observed a misrepresentation of Native aesthetics in various collections. "I always thought that there was so much potential in offering something authentic that shares a special story." He created Hashké, his own menswear company, to do just that -- to respectfully share Navajo culture to a wide audience. His next step? Ryan's mission is to bring Hashké's operation back home to the Navajo Nation and employ a full team of creatives and professionals. "I want to see economic diversity back home and I can create something that allows young people like me to come back home, work in the areas we are passionate about, and be able to grow our Navajo Nation."
6. Deel Jewelry, Navajo, Tuba City, AZ
"Creating custom jewelry is a way for me to use my art to help others celebrate events, commemorate relationships, or remember our loved ones," says first-generation Navajo silversmith Thomas Deel Jr., founder of Deel Jewelry. He specializes in one-of-a-kind pieces, working closely with his customers to create unique work using turquoise, lapis, red coral, sterling silver, gold, platinum, and stainless steel. Deel's early work was accepted into the internationally acclaimed Heard Museum before he set aside his artistic aspirations in the 90s to support his family. Decades later, Deel is back home on the Navajo Nation, at his jewelry bench once again crafting timeless rings, necklaces, and bracelets that celebrate our memories. "Some people use photos, and some people use videos, letters, or postcards. I use jewelry." Due to the highly customized nature of his work, contact Deel Jewelry now if you'd like to get in an order for the holidays!
7. Big Sky Soap, Hopi/Tewa, Polacca, AZ
“Bubbles Guaranteed!” is the tagline for this woman-owned soap company paying homage to Hopi and Tewa culture! Founder Jennifer Himmel makes each soap by hand using ingredients inspired by and from Arizona. Our favorites? The luxurious Cedarwood Face Cream that will help your skin tackle the cold weather, and the Desert Rose Bath Bomb for a little bit of aromatic and hydrating self-care! Jennifer has also put together special holiday gift sets available now on her website.
8. Blacksheep Originals, Navajo, Window Rock, AZ
Beverly Blacksheep, Navajo artist and illustrator, created Blacksheep Originals because she wanted to "promote the beauty, art, and culture of the Navajo People." Her brand is known for its collectable gifts (mugs, art tiles, compact mirrors, totes, tees, phone cases, and more!) as well as prints of her original paintings. Her artistry is world renowned but Blacksheep draws her inspiration (literally) from her base in Window Rock, AZ, the capital of the Navajo Nation. While Blacksheep's art can be found in multiple galleries, you can buy directly from the artist this holiday season!
9. Crystal Dugi, Navajo, Kaibeto, AZ
Artist Crystal Dugi first turned to art as an outlet for personal health and happiness. When she found herself creating art every single day, she realized it was more than just an outlet. "I love the feeling of being inspired and I want to share that feeling with others," says Dugi. So she looks for fun and unique ways to translate her bright and colorful prints into life's everyday items. She uses per prints on face masks, stationary, clocks, comforters, travel mugs, pillows, bath mats, and more! "It’s awesome to see my art come to life and bring joy to those who support it. It inspires me to continue to be creative." You can select from a full line of products on her Redbubble page or contact Crystal directly through her Facebook page to select your own painting or print for the holidays!
10. R2 Blackhat Jewelry, Navajo, Tuba City, AZ
When COVID-19 hit the Navajo Nation, silversmith Robert Blackhat Jr. saw an opportunity. He always intended to create a website for his silverwork, but never had the time to look into it. When tourism and traveling came to a halt in his home town of Tuba City, AZ, he realized this was his chance to get his work online. He launched R2 Blackhat Jewelry's first website this month, which features his unique arrangement of spiny oyster and Kingman turquoise stones set in sterling silver. His organic curves in symmetrical layouts are his signature, but he's excited to use his new site to invite custom orders. Robert's website gives you a sense of his style, his pricing, and his craftsmanship. You can call him to purchase what you see on his site or to request s custom order. Visit https://www.r2blackhatjewelry.com/
11. Bit’ahnii Designs, Navajo, New Mexico
We first came across Bit'ahnii Designs' beautiful beaded earrings while casually strolling through our Instagram feed. The talented Navajo beadworker behind the brand, Carleigh Lameman, switches up her design frequently. She debuted her New Mexico-based business on Instagram one year ago with shoulder-grazing color blocked earrings before trying her hand at stunning beaded tulips and beaded Apple Watch bands. We requested a specific color palette for our order and she delivered! Carleigh does orders on request and posts new designs for sale regularly on her Instagram feed. DM her to place an order for the holidays!
12. Cynergy Diné Body Therapies, Navajo, Shiprock, NM
"Not all Native people have healthcare insurance and they need ways to receive comprehensive care," wrote Cyndi Frank on her application to a business incubator back in 2017. A licensed physical therapist and certified myofascial therapist, Cyndi saw an opportunity to offer therapy services to clients on the reservation who otherwise couldn't access services due to the lack of health insurance or the lack of providers. Based in Shiprock, Cyndi also recognized that transit is also a challenge. Which is why she ditched the office and built her business on wheels! Cyndi travels to her patients offering them relief, rehabilitation, and wellness without insurance requirements. If you know someone who could benefit from therapy or fitness services over the holidays, contact Cyndi through her website: http://www.dinecynergy.com/
