In 1943, with WWII in progress, silver was declared a strategic commodity, and its commercial use was severely restricted by Federal law. Southwest Native American craftsmen were cut off from the basic ingredient from which they made their living. The United Indian Traders Association urged New Mexico and Arizona legislators to obtain federal permission to distribute silver. M.L. Woodard was the Association's spokesman, spearheading the effort. He started Indian Jewelers Supply Company at the same time, to provide tools and findings to the craftsmen, through the traders. At the close of the war, when silver was no longer a strategic commodity, silver distribution rights and responsibilities were transferred to Indian Jewelers Supply Company. Woodard sold the company in 1952, when he entered the arts-and-crafts business as a dealer in Gallup. The business passed through the hands of two owners between 1952 and 1964, when M.L. Woodard purchased the business from the widow of the most recent owner. Woodard's son, Phillip, became the manager at that time. The company had 17 customers of record that were regional manufacturers of jewelry. The business was operated in a 500 square foot building in downtown Gallup, that also included a jewelry production shop owned by Woodard's Indian Arts. M.L. Woodard died in 1967, leaving the business to operate as a family-owned enterprise. Phil Woodard became the sole owner in 1973, purchasing the interests of the other family members. The company became employee-owned in 1994.  | 1976 - Albuquerque
We opened our Albuquerque branch in January of 1976. It catered to the local manufacturing shops which we had previously served through mail and occasional store truck delivery from Gallup |
|
The Albuquerque store progressed through its first location on McLeod Avenue from one salesroom to a salesroom and a warehouse, then to its location on San Mateo, NE, first at 2117 (which had to be enlarged) and finally to 2105 San Mateo, NE, which was enlarged in 1991. 1983 - IJS Findings
In 1983, IJS acquired a Southwestern and Indian-style findings manufacturing facility which builds many of the beads, bola tips, buckle backs, metal discs and other miscellaneous jewelry findings. These findings are an integral part of the full product line we offer to the jewelry industry. 1991 - IJS Castings
In late 1991, IJS became the producer of the majority of its cast silver and brass design elements by opening its own casting shop in Gallup. It is anticipated that the production costs can be controlled and item production scheduled to better serve our customers. The casting shop also provides mold and casting services to many individual jewelers. | Indian Jewelers Supply Company now employs about 100 people. We are the largest supplier of materials and tools for Indian-style jewelry, but we do not restrict ourselves exclusively to that industry |
|  |
Additionally, we serve customers worldwide with same- or next-day shipment of all orders. Indian Jewelers Supply serves about 10,000 customers of record and countless cash customers at the Gallup and Albuquerque showrooms.
| 
