Hi! My name is Trace and this is my hobby (and that is my fire fighting son), collecting Southwestern Indian Art!
I am not in business, I actually have one of those real jobs too. I work for Pima County In Arizona which is where the Tohono O'odham Nation is located. I sell Tohono O'odham baskets to help supplement my spending on my own collection.
Just a little background: I have been buying, selling and collecting Tohono O'odham baskets for around twenty years. My parents were in the Indian Arts business while I was growing up. My father started the business which eventually grew to three galleries located in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Tucson, Arizona; and Payson, Arizona. My Mother also started Jean Lowe Pottery and Blackfeather Pottery which she operated until her retirement in 1995. My father spent much of his time on buying trips to New Mexico and Northern Arizona, and I met a lot of wonderful friends while traveling with him. My Father also had a vary rigorous schedule of shows on Air Force Bases throughout the country.
Although my parent's business was in all aspects of the Indian Arts trade, my passion has always been in the basket area. Papago, now known as Tohono O'odham, are the focus of my collection. I must admit I have collected a very large Acoma Pottery collection over the years too.
I have also followed in my mothers path by sculpting and pottery work. I developed a line of refrigerator magnets which I sold, with the help Of Millie Iaccino (My basket collector mentor) to over 400 accounts in the southwest. Unfortunately, The magnets lost favor to the mass produced cheap copies from the far east. Many Store owners opted to buy the cheap copies of my own designs over the hand crafted ones, which is sad. It shows the power of profit is much more important than the quality of work!
If you have any questions about the Tohono O'odham culture or their baskets, please contact me. I would love to help out and see scans of older baskets you may have come across. With the classes I have had in the O'odham culture and language, I feel that I have some knowledge to share!
If you are considering buying a basket, my advise is to deal with someone is reputable. I only sell baskets that I would not mind having in my home. In fact, If one does not sell, I usually hang it one of my walls! I never set a price on ebay or here that is not a bargain. If you are looking at my auctions, my prices are always lower than retail prices in local stores and galleries. There are other basket sellers on ebay (one is a good friend here in Tucson). All Tohono O'odham baskets are different. Just remember to buy from someone who will stand behind the basket!
Thanks again for visiting, and please sign my guest book. I would love to know where you are from!
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