Recently, Paul's Indian Store was fortunate enough to trade for the rug pictured below.   This masterpiece came from the loom of 70 year old Navajo matron, Juanita Ben, lovingly created at her reservation hogan home in Pinion, Arizona.   It was about ten foot long, and seven foot wide and took approximately eight months to weave ... the quality being one of the highest we had ever seen.       Juanita's grandsons built and warped the loom according to her instruction ... and the entire back wall of her hogan had to be extended to accommodate the loom.       Shortly after we traded for it ... before we barely had time to show it off ... this rug sold for $10,000.00 to a gentleman from here in California.

When these rugs are woven, many times one can hear the women softly chanting ... placing a "part" of themselves into the rug, because they believe a part of them will exist, as long as the rug is enjoyed by someone.    The Navajo women that weave this kind of quality strongly believe that the thoughts and feelings that are put into their creations are every bit as important as the design, or the color, or even the size ...       ... and speaking of SIZE !

How's this for big?   Reportedly the largest Navajo rug in the world, this one measures thirty-six feet long by twenty-six feet wide (we had our own petite Linda stand next to it to give you an idea).   This rug was woven by Julia Joe and her two daughters, working as many as sixteen hours a day ... for five years.   It is now exhibited in Winslow, Arizona.