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Dreamcatchers

DreamCatchers

Dreamcatchers made of willow and sinew are not meant to last forever, but instead are intended to dry out and disintegrate over time as the child enters the age of adulthood.

In the Ojibwe or Chippewa culture a dreamcatcher ( Ojibwe language: asabikeshiinh )is the inanimate form of the word for "spider" or in their language bawaajige nagwaagan meaning "dream snare"; a handmade item based off a willow hoop which is woven into a loose net or web while decorated with personal and sacred items such as feathers and beads.

Although the dreamcatcher tradition originated in the Ojibwa (Chippewa) Nation, during the pan-Indian movement of the 1960s and 1970s, they were adopted by Native Americans of a number of different Nations. Dreamcatchers are recognized as a symbol of unity among the various Indian Nations, and are a general symbol of identification with Native American or First Nations cultures.

Traditionally, the Ojibwa constructed dreamcatchers by tying sinew strands in a web around a small circular or tear-shaped frame made of willow, which is similar to their method for making snowshoe webbing. When hung over the bed, the resulting "dream-catcher" is used as a charm to protect sleeping children from nightmares.

The Native Amercan Ojibwa believe that a dreamcatcher filters a person's dreams. According to legend, the good dreams were allowed to filter through, and the bad dreams would stay in the net and disappear with the light of day.

Dreamcatchers are hung above someone sleeping to guard against bad dreams. The good dreams pass through and slide down the feathers to the sleeper.

Another Native American legend believes good dreams pass through the center hole to the sleeping person. The bad dreams are then trapped in the web, where they perish in the light of dawn.

Due to the acceptance of dreamcatchers or dream catchers in popular culture today, there are some Native Americans that view them as "tacky" and over-commercialized. As they gained popularity outside of the Ojibwa Nation, and then outside of the pan-Indian communities, New age groups and other individuals began to make, exhibit, and sell "dreamcatchers". According to most traditional Native peoples and their supporters, this is an undesirable form of cultural appropriation.

Native Americans have been handcrafting jewelry since they first drew inspiration from their natural surroundings and transformed shell and stone into wearable jewelry. Some of the oldest discovered pieces date from over 10,000 years ago. The skilled artisans at Alltribes continue the age-old tradition and create captivating works of art that will surpass your expectations!

Alltribes is one of the rare jewelry stores that has a workshop employing Native American artists creating extraordinary pieces of jewelry on site. While most of our silversmiths are Navajo, we employ artists from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some work from home, on the reservation, and some work here in our shop. Alltribes Native American Art and Jewelry blends ancient history, natural beauty, and unparalleled expertise flawlessly. We are conveniently located near Scottsdale, Mesa and Phoenix, AZ in the historic town of Gilbert. Unfortunately, due to Covid and other factors, we are unable to take walk in customers at this time. We are more than happy to offer curbside pickup if you are in the area, give us a call.

Our Jewelry

The design and quality of our Silver and Turquoise jewelry are unmatched and stand far above the rest. Turquoise conveys a special meaning as it has for centuries and in populations across the globe. Turquoise signifies healing, spirit and good fortune. With masterful techniques, our artisans incorporate this semi-precious stone into beautiful and intricate designs, drawing customers from around the world.

You can own a piece of Native American artistry without spending a fortune. Alltribes provides deep discounts because we don't purchase our jewelry elsewhere. Our in-house artists and silversmiths create custom pieces without the extra expenses of middlemen, shipping and tariffs.

Our Local History

Gilbert, AZ provides the ideal location for crafting our Native American jewelry. The Navajo and Hopi Indian tribes have inhabited nearby lands for many thousands of years. Their eternal respect for natural beauty and their innate talent shines through in every handcrafted piece of jewelry.

Our dazzling, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise comes from a nearby mine in Globe, AZ. This unique and exceedingly rare turquoise is renowned for its hardness, durability, and gorgeous color. Our artisans preserve the natural beauty of this precious stone, so you can admire its elegance for years to come. A hand buffed polish protects the stones and heightens its natural beauty.

Our Tradition

In addition to Native American jewelry, Alltribes upholds the ancient traditions of Native Americans by offering more than remarkable jewelry. We offer a wide variety of Native American Cultural Art including authentic Hopi Kachina dolls, pueblo pottery, Navajo Wool Rugs, hand-dyed leather belts, dreamcatchers, tomahawks and other Southwestern and Native American artifacts, to beautify your home and your life. It is our pleasure, to help spread knowledge about the Native American culture to the general public.

As part of our continuing effort to inform and inspire, we offer a vast array of in-depth knowledge for those who want to learn more about Native Americans and the Southwest. Our online knowledge center is free for all and includes some of the most interesting and complete information available online.

Alltribes has been serving our valued customers for over 50 years, so you can rest assured that when you have a question or concern, we'll be right here, ready to help. When you purchase something online today, you never know if the company will still be there, next week or next month.

Alltribes' reputation and longstanding experience ensure you get more than just jewelry – you get a wealth of seasoned knowledge and exceptional service…..that you can count on! We consider our customers to be part of our extended family and we're proud to say that our family now spans continents. We'd love to have you join us!

In addition to our local Native American products, we offer distinguished wares, sourced from Native American tribes across the U.S. Navajo, Hopi, Zuni and other Native American artists provide one-of-a-kind items that we proudly offer to you, at direct to you prices!

Alltribes is much more than just a manufacturer, store and knowledge center. We keep a jewelry workshop on site. If you want a custom design, our silversmiths will work with you to turn your dream into reality. Have an idea for something new? Talk with our artisans and discuss how to bring it to fruition. And should your beloved jewelry ever need to be repaired, we help with that, too.

Whether you're a Native American enthusiast, a collector, a designer or simply someone who loves beauty, Alltribes showcases a diverse collection of superior artifacts, sure to satisfy even the most selective customer.