Susan's Christmas Shop Newsletter
Domingo Abeyta
June, 2026
Dear Customers and Friends of Susan's Christmas Shop,
A friend was recently in St. Vincent Hospital. I decided to visit him while he was there. I was wearing a favorite Guatemalan Huipil (Wee Peel), a fine hand-woven garment that goes over the head. I wore my best pueblo necklace with it that day.
The hospital parking lot was full, and I had to park far from the front door of the hospital. A man driving a golf cart type of vehicle offered me a ride. When I got out of the golf car, the driver admired my necklace. I said, "It's from Santo Domingo." He said, "I'm Santo Domingo." I said, "This necklace was made by Domingo Abeyta." He said, "He was my great grandfather." I told him I have other pieces by Domingo, and I keep them in a box with a label that says: "The jewelry made by Domingo Abeyta of Santo Domingo Pueblo during the 1960's and 1970's."
When my visit with my friend in the hospital ended, I rode back to my car with the same driver. He asked me to send him photographs of his great-grandfather's creations. His name is Ian Abeita. I have done that. I told him that Domingo was old-style Santo Domingo. He never wore modern pants with a zipper; he wore the type of pants you would see on older men in a pueblo chorus. And he never used an electric drill; he used a pump drill. Ian said he had seen an old pump drill at his grandmother's house. They are probably seldom used now that electric drills are available. Here is a vintage postcard showing a pump drill being used by a pueblo jeweler.
Pump drills were used in prehistoric times to drill holes in pieces of seashell. The shells were traded from the coast. The drilled seashell pieces were strung together and ground smooth to make heishi. Santo Domingo is known for making heishi. Domingo Abeyta was very creative and very old-fashioned at the same time. I'm fortunate to have a collection of pieces he made. My mother bought a lot of jewelry; she once owned this necklace and later gave it to me. The bird pendant was also made by Domingo and was given to me in 1963. I love it and wear it often.
Our gardens are blossoming and my cherry tree had a big crop this year.
Now that the Easter items are put away, nativities are back on display. This one is of colored dough from Ecuador and the quality is exceptional. It was made many years ago and it was in my mother's estate. There are quite a few pieces, and they are large. The wise men are mounted on camels and intricately decorated. For those of you who remember the work of the late Vanni Lowdenslager, Ecuadorian dough work inspired her to create her own designs.
The Wise Men are the tallest pieces in the set. They are almost six inches tall. In addition to Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, there are two angels, a shepherd, and four animals. Each figure is elaborately decorated. It is in remarkably good condition considering its age. The price is $450. Please call my shop if you want it. 505-983-2127
A famous wooden statue of Mary has been in Santa Fe for four hundred years. You can see her in the north transit of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. That part of the cathedral is adobe and is older than the stone architecture built by the French Archbishop Lamy, who wanted his cathedral built in a French style. This statue was first brought to the new city of Santa Fe in 1625 by the Spanish. Santa Fe was just fifteen years old then. During the Pueblo Revolt in 1680, the Spanish fled south, taking the statue with them. Thirteen years later the Spanish brought her back and gave her the name "La Conquistadora". There was an adobe church on the same site as the cathedral, La Parroquia, most of which was torn down to build the new cathedral; but part of that old adobe church still exists, and it holds La Conquistadora today. She is about three feet tall and has an elaborate wardrobe of dresses, veils, and wigs. We made a glass ornament of La Conquistadora. The price is $70. She is lovely. She is dressed in white with delicate gold details. On the back of the ornament are words describing her history. You can call the shop to order.
La Conquistadora was once kidnapped and held for ransom in the 20th century, but she was soon recovered and is back in her place of honor in the cathedral. Once a year, she is taken in a procession to Rosario Chapel and back. She is probably the oldest Marian statue in the United States. She was later given the name Our Lady of Peace, but most people know her as La Conquistadora.
Another famous lady of New Mexico is Georgia O'Keeffe. Leah Kostoplos of Santa Fe has made three felt ornaments of Georgia. One holds a skull, one holds a red poppy, and one holds a sunflower. They are $44 each. They will sell quickly, so call soon if you want one. 505-983-2127.
In addition to making figures for nativities, Marolin makes Santa figures and animals and Easter figures. All the details are carefully painted by master craftsmen.
Leah also made two versions of Frida Kahlo felt ornaments. They are also $44 each. Frida is especially popular now because of the new opera about her and Diego Rivera. The Metropolitan Opera's production of El Ultimo Sueno de Frida y Diego was sold out for its HD showing at the Lensic recently. It was sung in Spanish. A friend and I saw it and we enjoyed it.
Zozobra, Old Man Gloom, is getting stuffed with shredded paper. The annual tradition of stuffing him took place three weeks ago in an empty store space at a Santa Fe mall. This year will be the 102nd burning of Zozobra. It will happen on September 4th at Marcy Park in Santa Fe. It will celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States and Zozobra will be dressed as King George III, wearing a crown and royal attire. If you want to witness this, it will cost much less than a ticket to the New York Knicks game. If you want the glass ornament of Zozobra, it is $75.
Hollyhocks are blooming all over Santa Fe where they choose to grow, not where you ask them to grow. That might be a crack in the sidewalk or a median of a street with cars driving by.
If you come to Santa Fe at this time of year, you will see hollyhocks and cactus and roses blooming. Please stop by Susan's Christmas Shop to see the latest arrivals. If you don't see me, I will probably be working on my next book. It is a book of my letters titled More Soon, Love, Susan. If you like my email newsletters, you will like my book. If I do not see you, I send my fond greetings, no matter where you are in this wide world.
Your friend in Santa Fe,
Susan Weber
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