| The Trade Blanket American Indian Arts And Crafts |
The Trade Blanket is an organization that provides artists and crafts people an outlet
to display and list their American Indian style arts and crafts for sale.
We are always looking for quality items. Do you do bead work, make dance regalia and
accessories, pipes and pipe stems, carvings(stone and wood), anything related to the
American Indian and would like your items displayed on the web and possibly increase
your sales, then contact us.
It is our policy that only quality hand produced items are eligible for listing. So please
do not submit mass produced items for consideration.
to display and list their American Indian style arts and crafts for sale.
We are always looking for quality items. Do you do bead work, make dance regalia and
accessories, pipes and pipe stems, carvings(stone and wood), anything related to the
American Indian and would like your items displayed on the web and possibly increase
your sales, then contact us.
It is our policy that only quality hand produced items are eligible for listing. So please
do not submit mass produced items for consideration.
2009-2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Trade Blanket
| Who we are and What We Do |
To the American Indian, their ability to trade for
necessary items was as important as their daily
routines to sustain life. One of their most prized
trade items was the blanket. The Indians were
trading their hand woven blankets of various fibers
and skins to each other long before the white man
arrived on their shores. The blanket was a very
versatile object. Not only was it used for cover and
warmth, the blanket could be spread and used as a
shelter from the sun and rains. Other goods and
possessions could be rolled inside and more easily
transported from one location to the next.
When the Europeans arrived with their machine
made wool blankets, the Indian people at once began
trading for them. These blankets were warmer and
more durable than their hand made. Soon the wool
blankets were highly sought after, and food, furs,
etc. were being traded for them.
With the ever increasing westward movement by the
early settlers trading posts began to spring up in
the upper Mississippi and Ohio valleys. The "trade
blanket" as they were now being called, was one of
their most prized wares. By this time they were
being manufactured by several companies, and the
main consumer of these blankets were the American
Indian peoples. As it was then, it still is today. The
Indian people buy more trade blankets than any
other consumer group. They are gifted to special
and deserving individuals at ceremonies, pow-wows,
and other special occasions. They are also often
given as wedding gifts.
necessary items was as important as their daily
routines to sustain life. One of their most prized
trade items was the blanket. The Indians were
trading their hand woven blankets of various fibers
and skins to each other long before the white man
arrived on their shores. The blanket was a very
versatile object. Not only was it used for cover and
warmth, the blanket could be spread and used as a
shelter from the sun and rains. Other goods and
possessions could be rolled inside and more easily
transported from one location to the next.
When the Europeans arrived with their machine
made wool blankets, the Indian people at once began
trading for them. These blankets were warmer and
more durable than their hand made. Soon the wool
blankets were highly sought after, and food, furs,
etc. were being traded for them.
With the ever increasing westward movement by the
early settlers trading posts began to spring up in
the upper Mississippi and Ohio valleys. The "trade
blanket" as they were now being called, was one of
their most prized wares. By this time they were
being manufactured by several companies, and the
main consumer of these blankets were the American
Indian peoples. As it was then, it still is today. The
Indian people buy more trade blankets than any
other consumer group. They are gifted to special
and deserving individuals at ceremonies, pow-wows,
and other special occasions. They are also often
given as wedding gifts.
At todays' gatherings and
pow-wows the trade
blanket has become
associated with a place to
gather and trade and
barter your crafts and
items. These include things
such as beadwork,
ribbonwork, shirts,
dresses, dance regalia,
accessories, bags,
flutes,and many other
items. We here at The
Trade Blanket are proud
to be able to offer to you
fine Native American
style arts and crafts.
Our items are hand
crafted by artists and
crafts people such as Jim
Gilliland(flute maker),
Laretta Weaver(beadwork
artist), Alaura Askins,
Milton Red Fox, Marie
Campbell and others..
pow-wows the trade
blanket has become
associated with a place to
gather and trade and
barter your crafts and
items. These include things
such as beadwork,
ribbonwork, shirts,
dresses, dance regalia,
accessories, bags,
flutes,and many other
items. We here at The
Trade Blanket are proud
to be able to offer to you
fine Native American
style arts and crafts.
Our items are hand
crafted by artists and
crafts people such as Jim
Gilliland(flute maker),
Laretta Weaver(beadwork
artist), Alaura Askins,
Milton Red Fox, Marie
Campbell and others..