Okemos - Bill and Michelle Haun might have thought they were going crazy.

The couple own Crazy Horse Indian Jewelry Co., located in Meridian Mall, 1982 W. Grand River Ave. The couple was recently recognized by the city of Gallup, N.M. for their store’s success and their work with American Indian artists.

The city is considered to be the center in the Southwest for Native Americans with a population of 20,000.

Decorated with paintings and glass cases packed with silver jewelry, the couple has been selling artwork and crafts of Native Americans for 30 years and has three family generations working in the store for Christmas.

Michelle Haun said the couple got the idea for the store on a trip visiting family in Arizona.

“We met a gentleman who kind of took us under his wing,” she said.

The couple was taught about the retail trade of Native American artwork.

“We actually built everything in this store from a shoe box filled with some jewelry,” she said.

The couple began buying original artwork and crafts from American Indians. Michelle Haun said they would in turn take the work to shows and sell it.

The couple moved to a storefront on Frandor Avenue in 1982. The store moved into Meridian Mall 15 years later.

The couple is currently planning on turning over the business to their son and daughter-in-law, Jon and Lisa Haun.

The couple plans to return to doing shows and hope to teach artists how to sell their own work through retail.

East Lansing resident Lyle James is just one of the artists who contribute to the store.

James has won international awards and is part of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Since the 1970s, James has been selling his artwork to the store.

“I do just about anything, leather work, sculpture, water colors, acrylics and sketches,” he said.

James said many stores don’t carry original artwork and crafts from American Indians.

“They are about the only one in town who sells it,” he said.

Some shops that advertise having American Indian artwork and crafts can sometimes carry forgeries. Bill Haun said he and his wife are involved in an organization that fights such forgeries.

Cameron Wood, director of the Nokomis Learning Center, 5153 Marsh Road in Okemos, said there is a difficulty with forgeries.

The center carries artwork by American Indian artists, including James.

“I know there is a lot of concern about it,” he said.

“Especially the turquoise and silver market, that is easily ripped off.”