The galleries and gift shops packed around the plaza can blur together after just a little bit of browsing, but a few places stand out: Saints & Martyrs (404 San Felipe St. NW, 505/224-9323, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon. and Wed.–Sat., noon–5 p.m. Sun.) specializes in traditional religious art from Spain and elsewhere; some one-of-a-kind santos are quite pricey, but other trinkets are more affordable.
Hispaniae (410 Romero St. NW, 505/244-1533, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., noon–5 p.m. Sun.) is three rooms crammed with Mexican craftwork—you can get far finer stuff at ¡Que Chula! [1], but the prices here are surprisingly reasonable. For American Indian jewelry and other crafts, visit the vendors set up under the portal on the east side of the plaza.
Just outside of Old Town’s historic zone, the Gertrude Zachary showroom (1501 Lomas Blvd. NW, 505/247-4442, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.) is the place to go for turquoise-and-silver jewelry, whether you want a traditional squash-blossom necklace or a contemporary reimagining of that design studded with other semiprecious stones. Among other things, the shop specializes in rare, antique turquoise—the variety of colors is astounding—but everything’s sold at wholesale prices, so you can get some great treasures for cheap.
A branch in Nob Hill [1] (3300 Central Ave. SE) stocks antique furniture along with jewelry.
For strictly traditional work, head to the gift shop at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center [2] (2401 12th St. NW, 505/843-7270, www.indianpueblo.org [3], 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily); not only are its prices reasonable, but the staff are happy to explain the work that goes into various pieces.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/albuquerque/shopping/the-university-and-nob-hill
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/albuquerque/sights/old-town-and-rio-grande/indian-pueblo-cultural-center
[3] http://www.indianpueblo.org