Turquoise Skies - a contemporary and antique Native American art and jewelry shop - has oddly survived road widenings, a somewhat isolated location and a bleak economy.
The business, which celebrates 29 years next month, sits in a building that is 6 decades old in a desert area at 4410 S. Mission Road, just south of West Ajo Way.
It is not in a shopper's oasis, but owner Robert A. Seymour doesn't give up. He said a reduction in sales of Native American art to national parks, galleries and museums led him to modify and open a second shop six years ago.
In another old building right next door, Southwest Etc., 4400 S. Mission Road, Seymour sells collectibles such as Coca-Cola memorabilia, antique furniture and dishes.
Many of the items are bought from private estates and individuals. It's open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Merchandise is stacked side-by-side and fills the shop's seven rooms. Buyers can stay entertained for hours as they search for goods including Mexican pottery, glassware, pictures, lamps, wall decorations, records and toys.
The shoppers are much different from those who do business at Turquoise Skies, which is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seymour is a businessman who has built a reputation among collectors around the world who come in search of Native American art.
"I am not rich, but I am making a living," Seymour said.
At one time, Seymour can easily remember 30 shops in the Tucson area that carried authentic Native American art and jewelry. Now, he said, there is a handful.
"The interest in the art goes in cycles, but Native American art will never die," Seymour said. "People always go back to their roots because there is a connection to culture and tradition. The art will remain."
The inventory at Turquoise Skies is unique and pieces can range from $5 to $25,000. Much of the antique jewelry comes from private estates and from individuals.
"It once belonged to the parents or grandparents of an individual who isn't really fond of the jewelry, so they come and sell it here," Seymour said.
Some of the pieces are 40 years old and are collectibles to connoisseurs of indigenous art.
"Buyers come to the shop because of our reputation for unusual pieces. Our reputation has spread by word of mouth," Seymour said.
In the summers, Seymour, 57, and Marshall A. Kidder, 61, business manager for Turquoise Skies, usually travel by SUV to private estates, antique shops or to reservations in Arizona and New Mexico in search of unique pieces for the shop.
They may visit Tohono O'odham artists in search of baskets and pottery, White Mountain Apaches for baskets and beadwork, Hopi craftsmen for kachinas and Navajo weavers for blankets and rugs.
"My work is more fun than anything," Kidder said. "I love to deal with the artisans and get to know their families. It is fun to relay stories about art pieces to the buyers. Each piece has a story."
"My work is more fun than anything. I love to deal with the artisans and get to know their families.
It is fun to relay stories about art pieces to the buyers. Each piece has a story."
Marshall A. Kidder, Turquoise Skies' business manager
Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at 573-4104 or cduarte@azstarnet.com