Herbert Toledo, of the Navajo tribe, has some strong praise for the Haskell Indian Art Market.

“It’s a real good show because I get a lot of return customers. It’s one of the best shows in the Midwest,” said the jeweler from northwestern New Mexico.

Toledo sat at a booth Saturday afternoon and showed off his rings, necklaces and other items made from sterling silver and yellow gold.

The 18th annual art market will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Haskell Indian Nations University Powwow Grounds, just south of 23rd and Massachusetts streets.

Thousands flocked to the grounds Saturday, walked through the several tents and passed the 165 artists and their paintings, pottery, sculptures, jewelry and other items for sale.

“It’s a great opportunity for the public because they get to see a wide variety of original, handmade Native American art,” said Kerry Girty, booth coordinator for the market and a Haskell employee.

The market has been nationally recognized because the original artists sit and sell their works.

It gives the public an opportunity to put a face with the work, Girty said, and the artists and vendors sometimes can tailor jewelry or other items to fit customers if necessary.

The festival typically has attendance between 20,000 to 30,000, and festival organizers believed they would match that range by the end of the weekend based on Saturday’s turnout, Girty said.

Toledo, whose operation is called Dine Jewelry, sat behind his booth Saturday and shared stories with potential customers about his jewelry and how he made it.

He can tell you about the leopard stone from Minnesota that he carefully molded into a bracelet centerpiece. Toledo has sold jewelry at the Haskell market for 12 years.

His job has become his passion.

“I like doing it because nobody yells behind your back, and you meet people from all over the world,” he said.

Toledo travels to market shows all over the southwestern and Midwestern United States.

Other than perusing the art items, customers walked around the grounds enjoying American Indian food and music.

This year the market coincides with the Lawrence Indian Arts Show at the Lawrence Arts Center through Oct. 7 and other special events.