Cherokee Artists
In 1946 Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc. was established by visionary Cherokee craftspeople and leaders who saw that Cherokee crafts – if preserved and promoted – could strengthen tribal values and provide livelihoods while offering unique beauty to the wider world.
Today, you will find authentic Cherokee handicrafts using techniques passed down from generation to generation. We welcome you to visit the nation’s oldest and foremost Native American cooperative and bring home one-of-a-kind treasures.
Authentic Handicrafts
Qualla Arts member-artists create one-of-a-kind baskets, carvings, jewelry and other pieces using techniques passed down for generations. Many of our artisans have national acclaim with publications and gallery showings including the Smithsonian and abroad.
Creating art from nature is part of our Cherokee Indian heritage.
Handmade Carvings
The Cherokee’s love for wood carving was born out of necessity. The Cherokee like many cultures carved wood for a variety of reasons, from items used in our homes to the creation of masks for our traditional dances.
Stone carvings in the past were often made by skilled artists using cutting edge technology. Today most stone carvings are purely works of art to be enjoyed by looking at them and wearing them.
BASKETRY
Perhaps the best-known handicraft of the Cherokee are our river cane, white oak, and honeysuckle baskets. Traditionally, these baskets were boiled with black walnut or native bloodroot to produce darker colors, yet just as often they were left in the rich yellow hue of the natural cane.
White Oak Baskets
These sturdy baskets are made from split oak trees and hand-dyed with walnuts, berries and roots.
Rivercane baskets
Traditional rivercane baskets both single weave and double weave, and used in the home for storage.
Honeysuckle Baskets
Honeysuckle baskets are intricately woven from honeysuckle vines found in nature around Cherokee, NC.
Visit Cherokee Co-Op Store
We have the largest collection of authentic Native American Indian arts and crafts made locally by Qualla Arts & Crafts co-op members who are enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Plan a visit and browse over 3,000 handcrafted items in various styles and price ranges.
Tour inside with the video below.
Homemade Arts & Crafts
You’ll find quilts, fingerweaving, carvings, pottery, baskets and much more to purchase in our store. All one-of-a-kind, authentic Native American handiwork.
Handmade Jewelry
Our jewelry is painstakingly made by Native American artists and features beadwork, copper, silver, leather, feathers, and stones.
