Our class is making great progress on their weaving and today we made our way to R.B. Burnham and Company Trading Post in Sanders, Arizona and then went on the Gallup, New Mexico for a visit to Richardson’s Trading, which is home to the world’s largest Navajo rug room.

At Burnham’s, we enjoyed talking about rug designs and various types of wool that have been used in Navajo weaving.  That lead us into a discussion of the importance of sheep in traditional Navajo life and Virginia Burnham told us about her experiences in caring for her family’s sheep as a very young child.

Virginia Burnham talks about the role of sheep in Navajo culture with Gloria Thompson (left) and Rosemary Morrill (right) as Bruce Burnham looks on.

A visit with Bruce and Virgina is always interesting and we also enjoyed spending some time in their wool room.  Before we left, we took a group picture with Bruce and Virginia that you can see below.

From left, Mary Falzone, Jan Souders, Ann Enyart, Nance Howsman, Cheryl Griffin, Diane Craig, Gloria Thompson, Thomas Griffin, Rosemary Morrill, Bruce Burnham, Virginia Burnham at R.B. Burnham and Co. in Sanders, AZ.

Next we went to Jennie Slick’s home and she showed the class how large floor rugs are woven, demonstrating with a large Burntwater rug that she is working on for a client.   She hopes to finish it by the end of the year.

Jennie Slick weaves as Thomas Griffin looks on.

Our final stop for the day was at Richardson Trading in Gallup, New Mexico.  There we were allowed the privilege of exploring the world’s largest Navajo rug room on our own, and we even got Thomas to model a First Phase Chief Blanket dyed with cochineal and indigo.

Thomas models a First Phase Chief Blanket at Richardson's Trading in Gallup.