Care Guides

Jewelry

To keep your handcrafted jewelry and genuine gemstones looking their finest, do not expose them to heavy chemicals, ammonias, oils, lotions, soaps or detergents, which can cause damage or discoloration. To clean, wipe each piece gently with a soft, damp cloth and use a dry silver polishing cloth to lightly buff the metal. All gemstones have been hand set and over time may become loose with wear. If you notice a loose gemstone, please take your piece to a qualified silversmith to have the stone tightened. Heavy impacts may crack or damage stones. Please note that turquoise, coral, opal, malachite, and pearls are porous gems and should be treated with great care.

Pottery & Figurines

Never expose handcrafted and handmade pottery to water or moisture. Do not wipe with a damp cloth or fill with water as these can damage the pottery’s paint and finish. These unique handcrafted works of fine art are meant for display and should not be used for everyday purposes, such as holding plants, water or other objects. Avoid exposing your handcrafted pottery to extreme changes in temperature and humidity. Display your pot in a safe place out of direct sunlight. As a precaution, we recommend placing a small cloth bag filled with sand or marbles inside your pot so that it will not tip or move easily.

Dust frequently using a soft, smooth cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, or a soft paintbrush made of camel or sable hair. Do not use terry cloth or textured fabrics as these may scratch or damage the pot. Always handle pottery with clean hands. Use two hands to move or carry a pot, and never grip or lift pots by their rim. Pottery handles and raised details are especially fragile and prone to breakage. Do not turn, spin or slide pottery on its base as this will scratch the bottom. Placing a mat of soft cloth or felt between the pot and surface will protect the artist’s hallmark or signature. We recommend using curator’s gloves when handling your pot.

Instruments

Drums

Do not expose a handmade drum to moisture or high temperatures. Dust your drum with a soft cloth or feather duster. We recommend oiling the leather drum head and laces with Neatsfoot Oil Leather Conditioner, but be careful not to saturate the hide as this will alter or destroy the tonality of your drum. In dry climates, you will need to oil more frequently. If your drum is used for decoration, do not display in direct sunlight. Do not place sharp or heavy objects directly on the drum head. Store your drum in a cool dry place in a cloth drum bag or plastic bag.

If your drum begins to lose its tone due to humidity or moisture exposure, you can restore it by placing the drum in front of a fire or heating slowly with a hair dryer on high. You may also place the drum in direct sunlight for a short period of time to tighten the drum head. Be careful not to overheat the drum head. If the rawhide becomes too dry, the drum head may split or become permanently damaged.

Flutes

Handcrafted Native American flutes are delicate and should be treated with care. They are sensitive to changes in climate and temperature and may crack, disfigure or separate along the seams if exposed to extreme heat, cold or humidity. When not in use, store your flute in a fabric sleeve or inside a flute case. Do not store in direct sunlight or near a heating or air conditioning vent. Do not use any chemicals to clean your flute. To preserve the instrument’s tonality, we recommend oiling once a month depending upon the climate and how often your flute is played. Oil prevents moisture from penetrating the wood and maintains tonality. Use non-toxic mineral oil or linseed oil. Do not use vegetable oil.

Do not wear lipstick, lip balms or lip gloss when playing the flute as this may damage the mouthpiece or stain the flute. Do not chew gum or eat immediately before playing. If played for an extended period of time, drops of condensation may form in between the “bird” and the “nest” on the flute body. This causes the flute’s timber to become muted or stop resonating all together. As a quick fix you can remove moisture from under the flute’s “bird” by blowing the water out of the small space between the “bird” and the flute or shaking condensation out of the flute’s chamber. However, to restore the tone the flute will have to be wiped out and dried out completely. After playing your flute, remove the “bird” and wipe the underside and sound holes. Wipe off any remaining moisture with a soft non-abrasive cloth. Shake out any excess moisture and let the flute air dry completely before storing.

Pendleton

Please do not wash your Pendleton blankets, as this will cause them to shrink and become stiff. Dry clean only. Do not display in direct sunlight. When storing, place in an airtight bag or container to avoid moth damage. We recommend that you dry clean your blanket before storing.

Carvings

Native American carvings are delicate works of art and should be treated with great care. Do not display in direct sunlight or expose to extreme temperatures or shifts in climate and humidity. Do not wash your carving with water or chemical cleaners. Many carvings are made from porous materials that will be damaged or discolored by chemicals. To clean, dust frequently with a soft dry cloth or paintbrush made from camel or sable hair. Always handle carvings with clean hands. Carvings with gemstone details should be treated with additional care as these can easily be cracked or chipped. Antique fetishes that appear aged, soiled or dirty should not be cleaned or altered as this will decrease their value.

Baskets

Natural fiber Native American baskets should not be exposed to moisture or direct sunlight. Display in an area where it will not be exposed to the direct flow of an air conditioner or heater or fluctuations in temperature or humidity. To clean, dust frequently with a feather duster or brush with camel or sable hair bristles. Never vacuum your handmade Native American basket. Do not apply cleaning agents or chemicals as this will permanently damage the basket’s organic materials.

If your basket requires any repairs, we recommend taking it to a professional who has expertise in restoring natural fiber baskets. On rare occasions, a basket made from organic materials may attract mold or mildew. We recommend taking these baskets to an expert for immediate attention and restoration. If there is extreme dust or debris within the weave of you basket, it should also be taken to a professional for care and cleaning.

Rugs

Handmade Native American rugs are fine works of art that require special care in display and cleaning. Do not expose your rug to direct sunlight as this will cause the natural dyes to fade or change colors. We do not recommend using as a floor rug. Handmade Native American rugs are extremely valuable works of art that will last for generations if they are displayed and treated as fine art. When hanging your rug, choose a method that will not damage the weaving. Never puncture the rug or use nails or hooks for hanging. We recommend using custom rug hangers or Velcro to display your rug. Place the adhesive side of a Velcro strip against your wall, then place the rug against the Velcro, allowing it to grip the rug’s fibers.

To clean, lightly vacuum your rug with the hand-held attachment to remove dust and flip every 90 days to allow it to breathe. These steps will help maintain the rug’s color and keep it free of insects. Do not use cleaning agents or chemicals on your rug as these can cause the colors to bleed and shrink the wool, permanently damaging your weaving. If your rug requires extensive cleaning, please take it to a professional who has expertise in cleaning Navajo, Persian or Oriental rugs. When storing, never fold your rug but roll up and place in an airtight plastic bag or bin. Place cedar chips behind or beneath the rug to protect against moths.