We collect native made (mainly Lakota) art and craft items and sell them on eBay. Some of the items are made by families we have befriended on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Most of the profits go back to the family or individual who made the item. However, a portion usually goes into their community, either directly or through donations to the One Spirit organization. In this way, a Lakota family not only improves their own standard of living but helps their neighbors at the same time.

Other items that we list are made by natives who live locally and support our efforts to help our Lakota friends. They donate craft items outright and also send craft supplies to our friends on Pine Ridge to keep them working.

Most of the items that we sell are fine examples of contemporary Native American buckskin design. Traditional materials and themes can be seen in pieces that were put together with a contemporary style and approach.

Sewing machines are not used. All stitching is done by hand. Fringe is hand-cut with a rotary cutter or scissors. Plastic beads, fake feathers, and synthetic materials are avoided.

The materials used are generally of good quality-- glass beads, real bone and horn hair pipe, natural stone beads, real feathers, etc

Primarily we sell medicine bags, fans and feather hair ties. We also carry canvas art pieces and jewelry made by Lakota children. Occasionally, we have pipe or flute bags that are quite beautiful and also drums or rattles that were hand-painted. We generally have far more items on hand than what we have listed so if don’t see something that you need, please ask!

We do purchase a lot of the craft materials that our families use and we try to buy from Native American suppliers as much as possible. When you purchase one of these items you become another link in a chain of positive events and energies --- the Native American craft supply entrepreneurs receive our business, our Lakota families use the supplies to make their art and craft pieces, you receive a hand- crafted item at a reasonable price and have the added benefit of knowing that you have helped Native Americans in several different ways. Our Lakota friends get to improve their standard of living and to have the dignity of being self-supporting-- while at the same time-- they help others on the rez by giving a portion of their proceeds back to the community.

It is our great honor and privilege to be a part of this chain or circle of positive energy by listing the items on eBay and shipping them safely off to the ones destined to become the keepers of these beautiful art pieces. There is a lot of joy for us in doing this and we appreciate the small part that we play.

 Who we are

We live in Connecticut in the greater New Haven Area. My husband is a carpenter employed by Yale University. Our children are grown and we do not yet have grand children. We have two dogs whom we rescued from shelters and they are spoiled beyond belief.

While at a sweat lodge a few years ago, we met a One Spirit volunteer and from there started getting involved with families on Pine Ridge. One thing led to another and a series of choices and events brought us to where we are now.

Not only do we NOT make a profit from these listings but it costs us money to do this-- as there are eBay listing fees, the cost of shipping supplies such as padded mailers, tape, etc. We donate these, along with our time, as our contribution towards an improved standard of living for our Lakota friends.

In our store pages, you will find a page entitled, ABOUT LIFE ON PINE RIDGE. This gives you a glimpse into the conditions that our Lakota friends deal with on a daily basis. Please read this when you have the time. Most people are shocked to learn that third world conditions like this exist right here on American soil.

As we said, most of the items that we list are traditional themes represented with a contemporary flair. You might be looking for more traditional items such as quill or beadwork, or maybe a Lakota star quilt.

My friend James is also a One Spirit volunteer and he deals mainly with Lakota people skilled in these more traditional cultural art forms. He also sells reprints or posters of paintings done by Lakota artists-- including children.

His eBay user name is 894james if you care to look for him. 100% of the proceeds from his sales goes to One Spirit programs-- such as the winter heat program and the SHARE food program.

Our Store Newsletter

Periodically, we'll send out newsletters to let you know about our Lakota families and how  they are doing, progress on various One Spirit programs, new items that we have listed, etc. You can sign up in our store pages area.

Perhaps you might consider listing an item or two with a percentage going to One Spirit through eBay’s Giving Works program? Signing up is easy and you choose the donation level that you’re comfortable with-- from 10% to 100%. Once you sign up, you can list items for One Spirit at whatever frequency and percentage that works for you. There is no obligation or pressure to donate constantly. For more info, visit the eBay giving works page.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP  

Please consider spreading the word about our eBay store.  Place the URL for our store in the signature line of your outgoing emails-- especially during the gift-giving season; or send the URL to your friends with a message about our efforts.  The URL for our store is http://stores.ebay.com/Lakota-Crafts-Project

Dignity and Privacy

It has happened that a Lakota family was turned in to the food stamp program when a jealous neighbor saw their name online connected to the sale of their art.  I do NOT want to be the cause any additional hardship to people who are barely surviving.  Therefore any info or photographs that we send to winning bidders is for their personal and private use only.