Weavings By The Laughing Family
Charlene and Mona Lula

By Rebekah Powers | June 2021

The Laughing Family of Navajo Weavers

A very traditional Navajo woman, Mona Laughing learned weaving from her mother Elsie Mark. Mona raised 6 children in Crystal, NM and remarkably put all of them through college by selling her weavings. Mona has a large flock of both Churro and Marino sheep, and her children who weave use the same soft fluffy wool. They use the natural colors of the wool and also hand-dye it themselves in harmonious natural vegetal dyes. Mona is an excellent weaver and superior dye artist who has passed her talents and knowledge down from her mother to her daughters Charlene and Michele and her two sons who also weave.

Charlene Laughing was only 8 years old when she sold her first weaving. She weaves a contemporary version of the Crystal designs, reflecting a change in the last few generations to banded designs without borders. Charlene uses the fluffy soft handspun wool from her mother’s flock and weaves astonishingly beautiful tapestries in Wide Ruins, Crystal designs and also various unique patterns. Her harmonious and distinctive use of color makes Charlene’s textiles works of art. She also lives in Crystal and is a full-time mother and weaver with a degree in Chemistry. Her son, grandson of Mona is Dwight Laughing Williams and represents the rare male weavers in the tradition.

Michele Laughing differs other Navajo Weavers in that rather than the traditions of the regional styles, she prefers to branch out and include Revival and Storm Patterns in her weavings. Her favorite challenge is the multiple pattern designs. Michele has a BS in Chemistry, a Masters in Biology and is now teaching in Albuquerque.

In 1997, Charlene and sister Michele Laughing took every award at the Santa Fe Indian Market in their category. Thus they have joined the pantheon of renowned Navajo weavers, along with their mother and grandmother.

The Abrums family has been friends with the Laughing family and represented their work for over 30 years. Aside from being the best Navajo weavers. over the years they have become some of our favorite artists to represent. Chimayo Trading Del Norte is proudly featuring these fine weavings online and in person, where you can feel the softness of the fibers, see the perfection of the weave and the delicate as well as the bold designs that encompass the history of the Navajo weavers. They continue to weave the Laughing family name into the history of the Southwest. Their woven tapestries captivate your imagination, dazzle the eye and speak to the power and beauty of family tradition in the Navajo way.

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