We often get asked - who made this piece? Below are just a few of the Native jewelry artists that we sell in our stores.
Jolene Bird
Santo Domingo Pueblo
Jolene Bird was taught how to make beautiful traditional inlayed mosaic necklaces by her grandfather. She has exhibited at various juried art shows around the country for nearly fifteen years. Jolene has entered shows in California, the Eiteljorg in Indianapolis, the Smithsonian in New York City, and many others. Her jewelry has garnered many awards throughout the years.
Herbert Joe
Navajo
Herbert Joe was born in the "Four Corners" region of Arizona. He grew up in a traditional enviroment, attending boarding schools in Arizona and New Mexico. Since he was eight years old, Herbert studied the craft of jewelry making. It was a family tradition, passed to him in part by his mother and his older brother. His most recent awards were given at the Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market, Red Earth Festival, and the Indigenous Peoples Art Market.
Sapphira Scott
Navajo
Sapphira Scott is the youngest of nineteen children from Canyon DeChelly in Chinle, Arizona. She creates Navajo jewelry that you can wear everyday. Sapphira designs her jewelry using the materials and methods of her ancestors and the style and fashion of today. Each piece is designed with specific stones in mind to complement not only your appearance, but to encourage the best in you as a person.
Effie Calavaza
Zuni
Well-known artist Effie Calavaza is from the Zuni Tribe, which is located in New Mexico. Effie was taught by her husband Juan Calavaza and began silver work in 1956. She combined her husband's work and her designs to create some of the most beautiful and most distinctive Native American art! Her sand casting and hand done work are amongst the best and most recognized jewelry in the southwest. Her jewelry is stamped with the family hallmark EFFIE C. ZUNI, which is used by Effie and her three daughters Georgiana Yatsattie, Gloria Jean Garcia, and Susie Calavaza. Effie's daughters assist her in the jewelry making (she shared her spouse's mark, JUAN C. ZUNI, until his death ca. 1970). To this day Effie's work is collected throughout the world and she continues making jewelry because she enjoys it!