“Bid on it,” urgently whispered the woman sitting next to me at the Crownpoint Navajo Rug Auction. I had met Mary Walker, of Weaving In Beauty, a collector and Navajo rug expert, earlier in the evening. Since I was a total newbie and Mary knew her way around these rugs I asked if could attach myself to her, and she graciously consented.

As the auction progressed, I would lean over and ask “Should I bid on that one?” Mary would shake her head “no.” So I settled back to watch the proceedings and enjoy the process.

It’s a friendly and informal event, as you’d expect of something that takes place in a school gymnasium with thousands of dollars worth of Navajo rugs laid out on lunch tables. Since the mid 1960s, Navajo weavers have been bring their rugs to the auction, setting a minimum bid that they would accept, and hoping for much more.

Run by the Crownpoint Rug Weavers Association and held each month in the town of Crownpoint, New Mexico, the auction brings in a couple of hundred rugs, and almost as many bidders. It’s also probably the best way, certainly the most fun way, to buy a Navajo rug. There are rugs from all over the Navajo nation, each area with its own distinctive style, embellished by the creativity of the weavers themselves. As an extra fun bonus, the weavers are also there at the auction and bidders can meet and chat with the women, and a few men, who weave the rugs.

Finally, a rug by Rita Wilson of the Becenti chapter of the Navajo nation, was brought up. Known for her high quality and hand dyed wool, it was surprising that the bidding lagged. And then Mary whispered in my ear. Obediently, I bid, and to our mutual surprise, I got the rug. Lot number 1723 was mine.

Flushed with success, I ignored Mary’s rule - told to me several times over the course of the evening - “if you haven’t seen in during the viewing period, don’t bid on it. Things look different up on stage.” Two rugs later, I agreed - she was right. The other rugs are nice, but no standout.

Next time I go back, I’ll make a list of the rugs. Freewheeling bidding is not the best policy. But going to the Crownpoint Navajo Rug Auction certainly is.