Native American Handicrafts for Your Store

Hello and a warm welcome to the world of Native North American craftsmanship!

We are here to inspire you with a wide range of authentic Native American products that you can consider buying and selling. Your ability to integrate these unique creations into your store's product lineup will depend on various factors. If you are situated in or near a Native American Reservation, particularly in areas with a rich history of Native American heritage, you may find it appealing to open a store dedicated to traditional Native American products.

We hope that our selection of Native North American craftsmanship will provide you with a rich source of inspiration and potential opportunities for your business. Feel free to explore the beauty and cultural significance of these products and consider how they could add a unique and meaningful touch to your store's offerings. 

Many different types of stores can integrate Native American products into their product lineup, depending on the specific products and the target audience of the store. Native American products can include a wide range of items, such as arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, food, and more. 

Here are some types of stores that could incorporate Native American products:

Gift Shops: Stores specializing in unique and culturally diverse gifts can carry Native American crafts, jewelry, and artwork.

Art Galleries: Galleries may showcase Native American artwork and sculptures.

Jewelry Stores: Native American jewelry, including silver and turquoise pieces, can be integrated into the jewelry store's offerings.

Clothing Boutiques: Stores selling clothing and accessories can include Native American-inspired clothing, like moccasins, beaded belts, and fringed jackets.

Grocery Stores: Supermarkets can stock Native American food products, such as wild rice, dried berries, or Native American-inspired seasoning.

Home Decor Stores: Native American-inspired home decor items, like rugs, pottery, and dreamcatchers, can be sold in stores specializing in home furnishings and decor.

Museums and Cultural Centers: Institutions promoting education and cultural awareness can offer Native American products in their gift shops.

Outdoor and Camping Stores: Native American-inspired outdoor gear, like tents or blankets, may be included for those interested in traditional camping experiences.

Bookstores: Books about Native American culture, history, and art can be sold in bookstores.

Online Retailers: E-commerce platforms provide an excellent opportunity to reach a broad audience with a wide range of Native American products.

Art and Craft Supply Stores: These stores can carry materials for creating Native American-inspired crafts, encouraging customers to make their own traditional items.

Resort and Hotel Gift Shops: Tourist destinations in areas with Native American heritage can carry Native American products as souvenirs.

Health Food Stores: Stores with a focus on holistic and natural products can carry traditional Native American herbs and remedies.

Music Stores: Stores specializing in music may offer traditional Native American instruments, music, and recordings.

When integrating Native American products into your store, it's important to do so respectfully and ethically. Consider sourcing products from Native American artisans and suppliers, and be aware of cultural sensitivities. Engaging with Native American communities and respecting their traditions is crucial when selling products that are inspired by or originate from their culture.

Authentic Native American handicrafts are highly sought after for their beauty, cultural significance, and craftsmanship. Retailers who sell these items have the opportunity to provide their customers with meaningful products that connect them to the original spirit of the land. In just the same way as  The same as they do with  Native Mexican, Central American, and  South American handicrafts. 

While the specific tribes involved in crafting and the types of handicrafts they produce vary widely, here are a few notable tribes whose artwork  I admire. 

The Ojibwe People 

The Ojibwe People (also spelled Chippewa) are known for Dream catchers as well as birchbark baskets, and various types of beadwork.  The Ojibwe traditionally created dream catchers as protective charms to hang above a sleeping person's bed to catch and filter out bad dreams while allowing good dreams to pass through. These dream catchers are typically made with a circular frame made of willow and a web or net woven within the frame, with feathers and beads hanging from the bottom.   

Dream catchers are traditionally placed over beds or cradles for protection, mirroring the appearance of a spider's web. According to ancient lore, positive dreams and ideas glide through the center and down the feathers to the sleeper, while negative dreams get ensnared in the web and dissolve before dawn. Dream catcher earrings beautifully embody this concept.

This dream catcher has been adopted by various Native American and First Nations communities across North America. As a result, you may find variations in the design, materials, and symbolism of dream catchers among different tribes and indigenous groups. The Inca artisans of Peru have been inspired by this design to make a variety of things such as dream catcher earrings. You can purchase these for your store at RainbowRider.com. You can give guidance as to the 12-piece assortment you want, for example, Dream Catchers Tree of Life, dangly wire wrapped, mushrooms, etc.)

Navajo Nation:

The Navajo Nation is renowned for its weaving. It is located primarily in the southwestern United States and boasts a rich heritage of textile craftsmanship. Navajo rugs, blankets, and textiles are celebrated for their exceptional quality and intricate designs, often featuring geometric patterns and vibrant, natural dyes. The art of Navajo weaving is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of the tribe, with each piece telling a story and reflecting the unique identity of the weaver. 

Tomahawk signed by Navajo crafter on Etsy 

Hopi Tribe:

The Hopi Tribe is known for its intricate pottery often features distinctive designs and symbolism. As well as Kachina dolls. These dolls are a world away from the traditional dolls that permeate Inca, Mayan, and Aztec traditions. Just look how different they are when juxtaposed below these Native American ones.

Here’s the official Hopi site that showcases Hopi information. 

Haida Tribe:

The Haida Tribe, primarily located in the Pacific Northwest, is famous for its exquisite wood carvings, totem poles, and jewelry. Among the most coveted Haida handicrafts are their intricately carved totem poles, which can range in height from a few feet to over 60 feet tall. These pieces often feature rich storytelling elements and symbolic motifs that reflect the tribe's deep cultural heritage. These towering works of art often depict ancestral stories, spiritual beings, and the tribe's connection to the natural world. Additionally, Haida masks, intricately carved from cedar wood, are prized for their ceremonial use and artistic intricacy. Haida jewelry, particularly silver pieces adorned with traditional motifs such as ravens, bears, and killer whales, holds significant resale value. 

Zuni Pueblo:

The Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico is known for its exceptional jewelry-making skills. Zuni artisans are celebrated for their intricate silverwork and stone inlay jewelry.

Cherokee Nation:

The Cherokee Nation:

The Cherokee Nation has a rich tradition of basket weaving. Cherokee baskets, known for their intricate patterns, are prized for their craftsmanship.

Lakota Sioux Tribe:

The Lakota Sioux Tribe:

The Lakota Sioux Tribe produces various handicrafts, including beadwork, quillwork, and traditional clothing such as moccasins and regalia.

Nez Perce Tribe:

The Nez Perce Tribe is known for its beaded bags, clothing, and regalia. Their beadwork often features intricate designs and vibrant colors.

Apache Tribe:

The Apache Tribe has a tradition of crafting baskets and intricate beadwork. Apache basketry, in particular, is admired for its quality and craftsmanship.

Ojibwe (Chippewa) Tribe:

Acoma Pueblo:

The Acoma Pueblo, located in New Mexico, is known for its distinctive pottery. Acoma pottery is known for its intricate hand-painted designs.

Inuit: 

The Inuit people, native to the Arctic regions, are revered for their masterful soapstone carvings. These remarkable carvings intricately capture the essence of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, seals, and walruses, as well as scenes of traditional Inuit life, showcasing their deep connection with their environment and their storytelling prowess. Soapstone is the ideal medium for these sculptures because of its smooth texture and malleability.

When sourcing Native American handicrafts for resale, it's essential to ensure that the products are made by tribal artisans and that the appropriate cultural respect and sensitivity are observed in the resale process. It's important to note that many other tribes across the United States have their own unique handicraft traditions, and this list is by no means exhaustive. 

Here are baskets you can see on Etsy.  Inspired by different Native American styles of weaving and dying