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Black Mesa Weavers for Life
and Land
from Coal Mine Mesa & Tuba City
Betty Nez
MBM-462. Betty Nez. Among six new blankets brought back June 2005,
is this all handspun churro natural and vegetal-dyed blanket
in the soft churro wool and single saddle blanket size that Betty
Nez is known for (see her handspun yarn on our wool for sale
page); 33 in. x 29 in., antique brown, brown/grey, red mesa,
light yellow ochre (lichen), blue-violet (unknown source), with
dark blue commerical wool end cords. (SOLD, to buyer
who also bought MBM-462 and a Black Mesa Blanket, and emailed
that she "loves them all."
Where do the ideas for the weavings come from? I asked a weaver's daughter.
"Look at the mesas,
the rocks, the plants, and the sky, my mother told me, and you
will see the weavings..."
MBM-462. 
On the way to Tuba City past
Coal Mine Mesa, via Hwy. 264.
MBM-501.
Betty Nez. All handspun churro
natural and commercial dye (dark red) thick blanket, 45.5 in.
x 36.5 in. in an asymmetric design and classic "hourglass"
motif, with an unusual triangle in one corner (lower left), Betty's
always fertile imagination at work! In dark brown/black, natural
white, grey/brown/multi, antique brown, Red Mesa. An eloquent
and powerful weaving, which, like so many of Betty Nez's traditional
blankets, evokes the land and vegetation of Dine' Bike'yah (Navajoland).
(Returned to weaver at her request, May 2009).
MBM-502.
Betty Nez. All handspun natural churro, vegetation motif
blanket, 44 in. x 29.5 in., in brown/grey/multi, natural white,
dark brown/black, antique grey. (SOLD, to buyer who also bought
MBM-462 and a Black Mesa Blanket, and emailed that she "loves
them all..."
MBM-430.
Betty Nez. Striking, subtle, nd unuaual all handspun natural
color churro wool from her own flock, single saddle blanket,
soft and thick, 33 in. x 33 in., in a raised outline (this side)
reverse twill Two Grey Hills design, in white, black, Red Mesa,
and a vegetal-dyed light grey/blue. $325 ($225 to weaver);
$100 to general fund).
MBM-430.
Betty Nez., side two (without raised outline).
Some
handspun churro "saddle blanket" yarn from Betty Nez,
in natural white, rich Red Mesa/chocolate brown, natural natique
grey, and two shades of vegetal-dyed greens. SOLD
Please see our "Wool" for sale page for more handspun yarns still in stock from Betty Nez, Lena Nez, and Edith Simonson.
MBM-503.
Betty Nez. Another of her unconventional, imaginative,
and asymmetrical "Tree of Life" weavings, 32 in. x
24 in.. This playful pictorial is woven of all handspun churro,
natural and vegetable dyed, and a bit of commercial wool. A reverse
twill two sacred mountains Earth pattern grounds the bird houses
hung on natural branches and trees, with multiple birds (see
detail below) perded and flying among them. In the distance are
rock formations topped ny a blue sky and white clouds. The background
is a pure natural white--which these photos fail to show--it's
not tinted pink! $250 ($200 to weaver;
$50 to general fund).
[SOLD]
It's not often that we receive ceremonial Dine' baskets (ts'aa') for sale. Here are two:
MBM-504 (on left), is an older basket thast has been
used in Dine' ceremonies. It has corn meal among its stitches,
and the center is plugged with an old piece of white cloth. 11.5
in. diameter, 2.75 in. deep. $285 ($185 to Betty Nez; $100
to general fund). The basket is in excellent condition, no broken
stitches or any damage.
MBM-505 (on right) is a brand-new basket, beautifully and
tighly woven, 13.75 in. diameter, 2 in. deep. $295 ($195 to
Betty Nez, $100 to general fund).
MBM-461. Betty Nez.A
third traditional blanket, all haundspun natural color churro,
32 in. x 27 in., in grey/brown, a warm red mesa, white, black,
with commercial blue edge cords. (Returned to weaver at her
request, May 2009).
MBM-463.
Betty Nez.
Glowing handspun
vegetal-dyed gold churro centers this soft blanket of traditional
motifs in black and brown/grey on an immaculate white field,
42 in. x 27.5 in. $425 ($325 to weaver; $100 to general fund).
MBM-464.
Betty Nez. One of the few Dine'
weavers expertly carrying on the traditional two-faced weaving
of all handspun churro wool in immaculate white and brown/grey,
into which is woven on the other side equally immaculate white
mohair, all from Betty's own flock, 28 in. x 28 in. SOLD,
May 28, 2006, at Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Fiber Festival, Navajo
Rug Collection Auction, sponsored by Navajo Lifeway (Dine' Be
Iina, Inc.).
MBM-465.
Betty Nez. Another two-faced
handspun churro (dyed two shades of cheerful and buoyant strawberry
pink and red), and white mohair weaving, 29 in. x 19 in. Returned
to weaver at her request.
MBM-472.Betty Nez. A more tighly woven classic traditional single
"fancy" saddle blanket in all handspun natural (white,
grey/brown) and accents (the photo doesn't show them) of commercial
deep mars/maroon red and grey-green) wool with commercial wool
fringe and two large decorative corner tassels, 35.5 in. x 31
in. (without fringe), protective elements woven in. Returned
to weaver at her request.
MBM-473.
Betty Nez. Another "fancy"
single saddle blanket woven in a checkerboard "chief's pattern"
design of all handspun natural color churro and commercial wool,
white, brown, red, and cobalt blue, with old-style corner tassels
and protective elements woven in, 35 in. x 31 in. Returned
to weaver at her request.
MBM-474.
Betty Nez. Another of her traditional
saddle blankets, soft, all handspun natural and vegetal-fyed
churro, in a glowing "Crystal" design with vegetation
and water motifs, 29 in. x 25 in. Returned to weaver at her
request.
MBM-475.
Betty Nez.
Last of these five
newly arrived weavings is this old-style double saddle blanket,
soft and thick, on a field of immmaculate white all handspun
natural churro, into which are woven traditional queue "hourglass"/"butterfly"
motifs in warm vegetal-dyed gold and natural grey/brown churro.
62. in. x 29 in. $490 ($390 to weaver; $100 to general fund).
Any of Betty Nez's saddle blankets would be at home on the
floor, near your bed to warm your feet, on a couch or the back
of a chair, on the wall, or on a horse, who would be very pleased
with such a wonderful, soft and sturdy blanket under its saddle.
MBM-471. Betty Nez. Unusual
asymmetrical "Tree of Life" weaving, in all handspun
natural, vegetal, and some commercial dyed churro from her own
sheep. The photo doesn't begin to do justice to the soft feel
and imaginative, subtle color imagery and designs on an immaculate
white field, in Betty's characteristic thick "saddle blanket"
yarn style. Two birdhouses hang from tree limbs, plant forms
are in the lower corners and clouds in the upper corners, and
the multicolored bird flying between the clouds has a worm in
its mouth; weaver's opening, 43 in. x 26.5 in, SOLD at the
Cultural Survival winter bazaar, Dec. 3-4, 2005.
MBM-460.
Betty Nez. On an immaculate
natural handspun churro white ground, Betty has woven in the
traditional "hourglass" designs in natural handspun
brown/grey churro, 32.5 in. x 32 in., a soft single saddle blanket.
SOLD.
MBM-415. Betty Nez
has woven many of these thick, cloud-soft traditional blankets
from the handspun wool of her fine churro flock. This blanket
is 36 in. x 28 in., handspun natural and vegetal-dyed churro
wool (two shades of wild carrot, Navajo tea, and a deep moss
green), with one band of commercial-dyed red. The design is of
a series of interlocking clouds that seem to float in a sky moving
from dawn to sunset. This weaving was on sale at the
Arizona State Museum, Tucson, in the "Native Goods"
Museum Shop, in conjunction with the special exhibition that
opened Oct. 23, 2004, "Navajo Weaving at the Arizona State
Museum: 19th Century Blankets / 20th Century Rugs / 21st Century
Views." SOLD at the Arizona State Museum, June 2005.
MBM-416.
Betty Nez, second of two glowing
soft blankets of handspun churro wool from her own flock, 42
in. x 25 in., natural and vegetal-dyred, with two bands of commercial
wool, with cloud / vegetation motifs. SOLD
MBM-417. Betty
Nez. If you ever want to sink your feet or rest your whole body
on softness and strength, try lying on one of Betty Nez's two-faced
tufted blankets. Immaculate white mohair is woven on one side,
lock by lock, into a pure white natural churro blanket on the
other. The luxurious softness and texture of this blanket cannot
be captured in a photograph... 43 in. x 33.5 in. SOLD at Cultural
Survival Summer Bazaar, Tiverton Four Corners, RI, 8/6/05.
MBM-443.
Betty Nez. Two views of an all-handspun churro traditional
design runner with vegetation motifs, 45 in. x 16 in., in all
natural black, white, grey/brown, warm medium brown, light red
mesa, and a deep vegetal dye green (from juniper needles), with
commercial yellow wool edge cords. This runner would be ideal
wherever a long and narrow weaving might be needed, and is sturdy
and strong enough to go on the floor as well as anywhere else.
SOLD.
MBM-444.
Lorraine Yazzie, a relative of Betty Nez. Impeccably woven at
24 wefts per inch, this is one of the finest raised outlines
we have offered for sale, 40 in. x 26 in. The raised outline
(created by doubling the wefts) was developed in this westernmost
region of Dine' Bike'yah (Navajoland). The two sides are each
different, with the image above showing the more intense side
where the wefts have been doubled, and the side (below), the
softer effect. The raised outlines evoke the falling gentle female
rain that nourishes the earth... SOLD
MBM-444,
side two. This raised outline is an intricate double Two Grey
Hills pattern, with the four sacred mountains in the four corners,
with elaborated four directions motifs with cloud/mesa images
on the sides, joined mandala-like, in the center. Very finely
and evenly woven light blanket weight, in high-quality commercial
wool of deep maroon, white, black, taupe/tan, turquoise, salmon,
cobalt blue, and medium/dark grey, with a double reverse "squashblossom"
border. A truly exquisite weaving. SOLD.
MBM-380.
Betty Nez. Natural handspun
churro wool (from her own flock) "queue" designs of
subtle greys and warm browns in this classic, old-style blanket,
commercial wool field of light grey/tan, handspun churro grey
borders. 37 in. x 25 in.. SOLD.
MBM-381.
Betty Nez. A soft and thick
blanket in a rare combination of 100% natural handspun and vegetal-dyed
churro wool from her own flock. Vegetal dyes include wild carrot,
Navajo tea, and a band of rich, warm brick-red, 37 in. x 23.5
in. SOLD at Cultural Survival Summer Bazaar, Tiverton
Four Corners, RI, July 31-August 1, 2004.
MBM-162.
Not many weavers make these wonderful two-sided weavings of soft-as-silk
long tufted mohair on one side, woven into a thick, soft, white
natural Churro wool blanket on the other side, and rarely this
large. Entirely hand-washed, hand-carded, and handwoven, this
marvelous, cloud-soft and immaculate weaving would be a joy to
wake up to, next to your bed on cold winter mornings or any morning.
46 in. x 32 in. $800 ($600 to the weaver; $200 to general
fund).
Here are two more views of both sides of this mohair and churro wool weaving:
MBM-162.
Betty Nez, showing both the mohair and churro wool sides of the
weaving, 46 in. x 32 in.
Photo ©by Betty Nez, ©April 2002.
Shelby Nez, 8-year-old granddaughter of Betty Nez, weaving a two-sided churro and mohair rug at her grandmother's home.
Churro ram, ewes, and new lambs, spring 2002.
(Photo ©by Betty Nez, April 2002)
MBM-362.
"Story Rug," Betty Nez. This large, soft, thick,
all handspun natural, vegetal (wild carrot, gold), and aniline-dyed
(red, blue) churro weaving, 62 in. x 33.5 in., came from Betty
with this story: "I started with the zigzag at the bottom,
which are my kids and grandkids, growing up, doing okay. Then
I wove the other side--a raised outline (at the upper part),
because I haven't done one for a long time. That part is for
good thinking. The dark triangles on the side with the red sharp
edges--that's the JUA/BIA fence that divides the land (HPL and
NPL). The blue and white lines near the center are the way I
feel all blank sometimes when I wake up in the morning, and the
other parts are when I feel like you're in a box or there's a
closed door..." . [SOLD
Some details: 
middle
of
the bottom
MBM-196.
Betty Nez is a grandmother from the Coal Mine Mesa community
who works full time and also raises her churro sheep and mohair
goats, from which she spins natural and thick yarn for her extraordinarily
soft and vivid saddle blanket style weavings. This is a classic
"empty field" double saddle with a meandering fret
border, in black, white, and two shades of natural multicolored
churro, 61 in. x 31-1/2 in. SOLD.
Betty
Nez and her husband Bennie, July 2002, standing in front of her
loom on which one of here classic soft saddle blankets is being
woven. On the left are balls of natural colored churro handspun
yarn and dried wild carrot and Navajo tea plants for vegetal
dyes. The wild carrot is a warm gold-orange and the Navajo tea
dyes a wonderful warm mauve-tan. Wild carrot is sold, and the
drought has made it extremely difficult to find. New yarn
and some Navajo tea are for sale on our wool for sale page.
MBM-294.
Betty Nez. Dramatic and soft, thickly woven saddle blanket, all
handspun in natural white, natural deep brown, a wonderful vegetal
dye dark moss green (which totally eluded the camera & scanner),
on a rich gold-orange field of vegetal dye wild carrot, 40.5
in. x 37 in. SOLD in June at the Museum of Indian Arts and
Culture, Santa Fe, NM.
MBM-294
on loom at Betty Nez's home; handspun churro wool in foreground
and dried wild carrot (which was used for the gold-orange).
MBM-295.
Betty Nez. A stark and powerful all handspun Klagetoh/Ganado
design and a prayer for rain, with four pairs of lightning/cloud
streaks in the four corners, 50 in. x 27.75 in., in handspun
black, dark grey, deep red, and several shades of natural whites.
This weaving was on sale at the Arizona State Museum, Tucson,
in the "Native Goods" Museum Shop, in conjunction with
the special exhibition, opening Oct. 23, 2004: "Navajo Weaving
at the Arizona State Museum: 19th Century Blankets / 20th Century
Rugs / 21st Century Views." SOLD at exhibit opening, 10/23/04.
MBM-210.
Betty Nez. Third "empty field" classic traditional
saddle blanket, soft and thick, 47 in. x 34 in., all handspun
natural churro, dark brown, natural, and grey/brown. Ideal as
a floor rug, wall hanging, or working saddle blanket. Someone
who saw this weaving at Drumlin Farm, in Lincoln, Mass., suggested
that it would make an ideal Yoga mat--its softness and strength
being wonderful for exercise and meditation. SOLD
MBM-344.
Betty John of Shonto wove this fancy single saddle blanket
about 10 years ago (1993). It's a brilliant eye-dazzler 31 in.
x 32.5 in. with a 4 in. fringe on the bottom, in dark brown,
orange, deep purple, green, red, rust, and medium brown. This
weaving was on sale at the Arizona State Museum, Tucson, in the
"Native Goods" Museum Shop, in conjunction with the
special exhibition that opened Oct. 23, "Navajo Weaving
at the Arizona State Museum: 19th Century Blankets / 20th Century
Rugs / 21st Century Views." (SOLD in Tucson, June 2005).Sheryl Nez
MBM-418.
Sheryl Nez has woven an elegant and buoyant Two Grey Hills
design in black, white, dark grey, light grey, and dark red,
23 in. x 19 in. SOLD at Cultural Survival winter bazaar, Dec.
4-5, 2004.
MBM-343.
Sheryl Nez, a niece of Betty Nez. Second of two "practice"
weavings, this is also of entirely handspun natural color white
and bright dyed red churro, single saddle blanket, 28 in. x 29
in. An experienced weaver would get at least $300 for a handspun
churro single saddle blanket. SOLD.
Go to Black Mesa Weaver Rachel Bennett
Write to: Black Mesa Weavers P.O. Box 95204, Newton, MA 02495
or email to: carol@migrations.com to place an order, or for more information.
Copyright © 1998 -2010 Carol Snyder Halberstadt, Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land., Inc. All rights reserved.
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