Home to over 140 art galleries and more gift shops,   one of  the most unique remains Primitives Limited at  Laguna Village, 577 So. Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach..  Peggy Webster, owner, has been in the business of marketing Native American goods for nearly thirty years.  Primitives features top quality Hopi, Navajo, Zuni and other jewelry procured directly from  contacts  throughout the Southwest.  You can readily obtain a quick lesson in discerning jewelry of one tribal group from another.  The beautiful multi-color stone inlays found in Zuni jewelry are readily identifiable, however,   Hopi and Navajo can offer a challenge.   Peggy described the wonderful variety of turquoise  found in  Navajo jewelry,  including rare white turquoise found only in Battle Mountain, Nevada.   She further explained that  Navajo jewelry features a shadow-box relief  overlay of  their designs,  while the Hopi designs are inlay or carved  into each piece.   Available designer jewelry includes  Navajo pieces by Nakai and Pima by Vallo.  

Southwest product sources  have been established over many years, now four generations.  Peggy and her husband, Michael,  have been responsible for creation of jobs for Native Americans on and off  the reservations.   Because Native American goods are hand-made, each may be one of a kind and difficult to procure in quantity.   Other items found at Primitives include ever-popular Dream Catchers, Medicine Bags, Wheels, Shields and  Hopi Sun Faces.  Talking,  Wedding and Blessing Sticks have interesting stories,  also,  ceremonial items such as sage, peace pipes and feather fans.   One of  the challenges of their business has been the development of additional sources of product and retention of  those existing.  Because these are crafted items exhibiting hand workmanship, they are called  "artifacts" and many are labeled as to tribal source and individual maker.  Smoking pipes may be from a Commanche, a beautiful bow with arrows and quiver from a Cheyenne and baskets from Papago, Walapai and Tarahamara. 

Peggy's husband, Michael, grew up around El Paso, Texas, and has wonderful stories about childhood trips with his Grand-Dad throughout the Southwest which are to be included in a book he is now completing.   Chapters include description of  trade with the Tarahamara Indians at  the bottom of Copper Canyon, Mexco,  and many Reservation experiences.    Michael is very knowledgable about early man artifacts of  the Anastasi, Hohokam,  Tonoho  O'odham and other peoples.   Older pawn jewelry,  primitive hunting sticks,  atlatls, arrowheads, pottery and other items are available at the shop.  Should you have a desire for a specific piece or style,  consider contacting Primitives  to discuss your interest.  Peggy is a certified ASA appraiser and a specialist in jewelry, pottery and SouthWest basketry.   She is descended from the Iroquois Nation and has natural blond hair and blue eyes, as did Iroquois Chief  Joseph Brandt, of  upper New York State and Canada.

Interest in U.S. Indian goods has increased throughout the world with  European countries founding clubs and  newsletters about particular Native American groups.   The challenge may very well be to supply the demand.

NATIVE TRIBE-PRIMITIVES LTD