WARREN NIETO
Living in a modern world has never let Kewa Puebloan artist Warren Nieto lose sight of all the traditions of the past..He is one who lives & breathes his ancestral upbringing & it's the 'stories' that are passed down with each generation that are incorporated into everything he makes in today's modern world...Warren's Anasazi ancestry lived in the cliff dwellings of Chaco Canyon & it's their history that is passed on orally, with the rest being learned from the ancient walls inside the dwellings that were chiseled on the rocks.. It's these stories that are told of Pueblo life through a mosaic painting done in stones & shells is what I believe separates him from other artists.
Spiritual,kind & humble, Warren incorporates the Kiva (steps) in much of his work(Including his hallmark) & plays a major role in his life..The Kewa (Santo Domingo) Pueblo culture comes through in everything Warren makes & it's like he "paints the story" regarding ancient beliefs, but is told through stone(And or shell) form..No,his work isn't just a lot of cut shapes, but have actual traditional meaning behind each & everything he makes.SHANE CASIAS:
Personally, I would say Shane Casias is the epitome of what a true New Mexican artisan is & what I love about his work is that he gives us all the charm of not only Santa Fe, but the charm known throughout our great state & the southwest.
Born & raised in Espanola,NM, Shane could not escape the art that is known here and has a workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Working in both sterling AND precious gold, Shane is a skilled artist that has been at this for many years now & has developed through those years, a style that is identifiable solely to him, where you now can tell immediately whose work it is..
Considered a "Celebrity's Designer", Shane designs for both men & women, with many not only being local , but for celebrities & international musicians..Musicians like "Tony Harnell, Joel Hoekstra, Jason Sutter, Ashley Reeves ,Rich Redmond & Frank Pane" to name just a few.
At the Heard Museum (Phoenix, AZ) in 2016,Shane was awarded the "Signature Artist of the Year" & was thrilled when he took home the "Best in Show" award! He was also juried into Spanish Colonial Society 2012 with over 300 other participating artists & was the only artist in the "Precious Metals Category" to be accepted. He's now affiliated with four prestigious museums across the country & is apart of our yearly "Spanish Market" event that goes on each year here in Santa Fe..
He gives us old school techniques that have a modern day vibe!
Federico Jimenez
Considered the “Designer to the Stars”, Federico was raised in Oaxaca Mexico and it was during his youth that he fell in love with antiquities..He has been a avid collector of Pre-Colombian, Colonial & Oaxaca filigree jewelry,Taxco jewelry from the Mexican Silver Renaisance Days,old Native American jewelry, as well as collecting native costumes & pots ever since.
He developed his love for design through the years and has grown to be one of the most collectible, most internationally recognized designers in modern day jewelry. He takes us, where very few dare to go by creating head turning designs.
It was during the 1970’s where he was started selling at the flea markets of LA where he brought both Native American & Mexican jewelry to sell & his 1st customer happened to be CHER who bought his pieces. Years later,his name grew for having the best inventory & ended up taking his brand to the next level where he opened a store called “Federico’s on Montana” in LA, which was the “Other” Rodeo Drive. It was during this time where he became close with all the celebrities like Ali McGraw,Joni Mitchell,Jane Fonda along with a list too large to write.
Now fashionably in demand, it was Federico who brought the much admired Dove/Filigree jewelry that is known to his Oaxaca birthplace & who is responsible for playing a major role in bringing this beautiful jewelry to the USA.
He sits on the board of the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, NM. The Autry in LA and has a Museum in Oaxaca where his vast collection is displayed and bares he and his wife Ellen’s name. (Belber-Jimenez Museo) You can also see his collections in museums in Mexico City.
Federico’s jewelry is HIGHLY collectible & now you can get his book which is named just like the rest of the stars who go by one name & one name only & that’s just plain & simply put.. ”Federico”
ABOUT LEON MARTINEZ
Nothing can be said about Leon without mentioning something about his family ties.
1st influenced by their mother & father,(who were also artists) Leon's immediate siblings happen to be "CALVIN,RICK & TERRY MARTINEZ" & his sister is the well known "READDA BEGAY" who is married to Ernest Begay Sr.(another well known,sought after artist) Leon is also the cousin of the late & much missed artist "KIRK SMITH"..Each of these family members are sought out for their unique traditional Navajo jewelry they bring to the table & you can see many similarities in their work.
It was the late "HARRY MORGAN" however who did to Leon like he did Kirk Smith & who laid the path for Leon & taught him a lot of the ropes about how to give Navajo jewelry a look as if the piece was made from decades ago. Harry was the 1st that brought Navajo jewelry to the market as if it was made in the 40’s & was the one who was also responsible for giving the sterling those heavily oxidized finishing’s that are now known as "Vintage Revival" as if the piece is aged.This is the style of jewelry that Leon has continued making & you'll find in every piece made..Never will you see in his pieces,high polished contemporary finishes with the sterling.
What you're going to get in Leon's jewelry are time consuming made pieces,where they're made with presicion & excellence & where literally everything that's apart of the piece,is still done with the power of the hand,just like his ancestors did..Everything will be made from scratch,with nothing being used by pre-made commercial manufactures.. He's all about using heavier gauge sterling, using only the highest quality natural stones available on the market & then each are hand finished in a "Vintage Revival" style finished sterling..
Earning ribbons at the Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock, AZ & Gallup Ceremonial,his work also has been featured in the highly read "Cowboys & Indians" magazine & his jewelry exhibited in Museums..I am extremely proud to bring an artist of this magnitude to you,where you will experience what traditional "Fine" Navajo jewelry really feels like,with unmatched superb quality throughout! Leon's work is highly collectible & demands top dollar.
AARON TOADLENA
Considered a 'veteran' Navajo silversmith,Aaron has been at it for years now..Starting out in the industry in his teens,Aaron was raised in the Gallup NM area & is an artist that does not take his art for granted & believes it is a "blessing" from a higher power, since he has been able to support his whole family from making finer Navajo jewelry.
One thing you won't find in his jewelry is a 'modern look,made a modern way.'He keeps it traditional,just like his ancestors did.He refuses to cast his pieces & is considered “old school' by still doing everything by hand..He would rather work the sterling with his tools & whatever else it takes to validate that making jewelry by hand can still be done & done right..He comes from the day when turquoise was still natural & has continued using the finest stones on the market.Aaron does not begin to make a piece until his mind,eyes,heart & hands are all uninterrupted & in sync with one another.
He has been featured in the highly read "Cowboys & Indians" magazine,as well as having been in the Oprah Magazine..He worked at one time with the famed"Ray Tracey"..His jewelry is undeniably Navajo & is highly collectible.
ABOUT GUY HOSKIE
Navajo Guy Hoskie is no beginner in the jewelry industry & has been doing jewelry for 20 or more years now.He calls Window Rock AZ.his home,where he lives with a wife & 2 sons.
He is closely related in style with many of Gallup's finest artists that have all made a big name in today's modern day Navajo jewelry..
You will find a lot of similarities, where they all give the metal a very vintage finish,they all make heavy tooling apart of their art form,as well as using the highest grade stones in today's market.
Guy keeps it "Old School" by not only staying very traditional in style,but gives the metal a "vintage revival" sort of look, as if it is aged.Never do you find his work
VERNON & CLARISSA HALE
Vernon & Clarissa Hale design & make exquisite Navajo jewelry that is made of semi-precious stones & shell.They are a husband/wife team that make their living in Window Rock,AZ.When they design a piece of jewelry,it is with a prayer,imagination & style. Designs are more like the traditional style jewelry & at times venture off into contemporary styles,as well as old school Navajo jewelry..There isn't much that you can't put in front of them that they can't make.
Clarissa has been designing & making jewelry since the age of 13 & started out by the influence of her well known parents"Alice & David Lister,who themselves have been at it since 1973.It was either playing out in the yard for Clarissa or working inside helping Mom..Good thing for us fans, she chose working inside!
Vernon Hale jr.is the son of the late Vernon Hale Sr. & Sadie Hale of Oak Springs,AZ.In the summer of 2001 Vernon was welding a 8ft. Kachina out of sheets of metal,when father in law David Lister,told him that welding was similar to making jewelry out of silver.That sparked an interest in Vernon making jewelry."V & C Hale" then was created! V & C has been collaborating since 2002.They make pieces of jewelry to be worn with a sense of connection,comfort & enjoyment! They are known in higher end SW galleries.
ABOUT PHILANDER BEGAY:
Numerous award winner Philander Begay gives us nothing but the best in Navajo tufa cast jewelry,if not beyond the best..Sometimes I think he actually outdoes himself & yes,It's hard to believe that what he does can be done in metal form,but he validates,it can be done!
Like his well respected artisan cousins Lee & Darryl Dean Begay,Philander is at the "Master" level,with well earned Rock Star status, when it comes to today's Navajo Tufa Cast jewelry.
When it comes to awards,he’s won at least 30-1st place awards at the Gallup Inter Tribal Ceremonial" event,3-1st place awards at the highly attended Heard Museum & in 2007 he won 1st place at the biggest Native American event in the country, which is our yearly "Santa Fe's Indian Market". Both of the latter he won for his award winning concho belts. With the Heard award,Philander took home the highest award an artist could ever get in jewelry,which was the"Best in Class in Jewelry" award for his amazing concho belt.
Just one of many of the things that I adore about Philanders work, is for the fact that when you look at his jewelry,you are looking at a piece that emulates a painting. He is known for giving us depictions of Navajo ceremonial events as if you're right there at the event! I am always at a loss of words when it comes to ANYTHING Philander makes!
ABOUT 'FALCON TRADING & BUBBA SHACKELFORD/JOE O’NEILL':
Falcon Trading company was started in the early 1980s by Bubba Shackelford in Prescott Arizona. Bubba got his earliest start from Jock & Al Favour who are apart of a group of artists with names like "Jesse Robbins-(who actually got his start working with Bubba at Falcon), Charlie Favour,Joe Eby,Dennis Hogan",etc..These artists all have much in common with each other in regards to their jewelry styles,which leans toward where everything is completely crafted by hand,working with heavy gauge ingot silver to giving these most incredible finishes that that emulate vintage styles from decades ago..
Bubba began by selling his jewelry out of his Ford Falcon automobile all over town, giving Falcon Trading Company it's namesake. Bubba produced FTC jewelry for many years afterwards, until his sight began to fade from diabetes. In 2014 Bubba took on a young student at that time named Joe O'Neill, who is now the head silversmith at Falcon Trading, and works with Bubba daily to continue on the tradition of creating beautiful tufa cast ingot jewelry in the southwestern/Santa Fe style. Bubba demanded that the jewelry be made right & Nothing is ever put through without 1st having Bubba's approval!
****************
ABOUT LORENZO TAFOYA:
Santo Domingo Pueblo artist "Lorenzo Tafoya" & his wife Mary combine their artistic talents to create unique,traditional & contemporary jewelry.These skills were acquired at an early age from their parents,Lorenzo's parents versed him in silversmithing,lapidary work & jewelry design,while Mary's background is in hand made turquoise shell heishe work,long recognized by all,as the traditional arts of the Pueblo.
Lorenzo furthered developed contemporary designs & metalsmithing skills while being a student at Santa Fe's "IAIA" (Institute of American Indian Arts) Influenced by different artists & techniques during his IAIA tenure,he has incorporated unique designs that depict a pictorial reference of Pueblo life & historical influences of Spanish Conquistadors. Lorenzo further complimented his designs by adding gold & semi-precious stones & materials,along with traditional Santo Domingo pottery motifs in his expanding "Miniature Pot" creations.This influence bestows a sense of pride & appreciation of Native American art by the collector's & will no doubt,become a family heirloom & collectibles.
*******
HONOR'S & AWARDS:
Southwestern Assoc. of Indian Arts:
1st place for miniature sterling seed pots
1st place for Silver & Gold Wine Goblets
Various Awards 1st,2nd,3rd place for various jewelry work & designs
*******
HEARD MUSEUM:
Honorable Mention Story Teller Concho belt
Permanent Collect-Norman Sandfield,Miniature Silver Seed Pot Collection & Publication"Old Traditions in New Pots"
*******
EITELJORG MUSEUM-INDIANAPOLIS:
1st Place.Best of Division,best of Show Runner Up-Story Teller Concho Belt
*******
RED EARTH:
2nd Place,jewelry,Concho Belt
3rd Place,Jewelry
******************
ABOUT MARY TAFOYA
2019 was a fortunate time for this humble artist! Mary was picked among only a few chosen local artists & this year we were proud to see Mary finally be featured at our Santa Fe International Folk Art Market,which I personally have always thought she deserved to be there in years past!!! And then to top it off even further,PBS zoomed in,not on all of the other numerous artists that participated,but were drawn to this one artist alone,whose work we just can't get enough of! They came out & interviewed her for the PBS show!
Kewa Pueblo artist "Mary Tafoya's" has a 'signature style all her own & is the only one from the Pueblo that you will find doing this style..She is known for her funky,whimsical 'Folk Art" style colorful jewelry..
Most don't know that when she 1st started doing jewelry back in the 80's, she stayed very traditional,since her influence were her parents, as well as what other Pueblo artisans were doing in the village.Her parents made heishi & did mosaic & were one of the originals who did the old depression era "Thunderbird" necklaces that were mosaic inlaid atop of old record albums.But step ahead to the 90's,is when her husband Lorenzo suggested 'they try something 'different'..This is when she solely did mosaic,which later she developed into the mosaic style she is now so widely known for.
Her pieces are "Happy" & you will get joy & feel good when you wear her jewelry!
She only creates only when her spirit,having a clear mind,her hands & all other creative juices are in sync..Once you see her art,you will never forget it,since it's a style that belongs to only her. You can find her in Museums,galleries worldwide.
Mary is HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE & her jewelry is the type that is treasured a lifetime!
ROY NAZAR NILSON
Originally of Argentine descent,Roy comes from Rio Cuarto,Argentina & moved to Taxco Mexico years ago & is the brother of MARIA BELEN, who herself, has grown to become Mexico's top leading female artists.
Roy previously had a career in performing arts & was inspired by the creative aesthetics of Mexican women. He presents jewelry for elegance and high style, classic and modern, for women and men who choose to distinguish themselves for their exquisite taste in today's world.
Each of its pieces is a sample of combination of design, tradition and quality. The richness of Taxco silver work and contemporary design and originality make Roy Nilson a trend in jewelry design. Lover of smooth shapes and inspired by the ethnic richness,he surrounds himself with "true artists" who know how to interpret and capture the beauty and simplicity of Mexican nature in its maximum splendor, fused with creativity and imagination using for them as a base material Mexican silver..
Everything made is made with the power of skilled hands while preserving traditional techniques.Roy was gifted with a "Eye" for the aesthetics & anything you will see of his, will have perfect form & balance & will be appealing to the eye.
María Belén Nilson
Originally from Argentina,Maria moved to Mexico with nothing & put herself where she is today..Her name has gotten to be so big,that she now runs 2 shops in Mexico,one in San Miguel de Allende & the other in Taxco,Mexico. Everything she designs is inspired from the rich tapestry that exists in Mexico, from the people, to the artistic culture that seems to thrive in this country.. Now one of Mexico's top leading female designers,she is not only a very respected designer there,but one of the most impressive business people I happen to know.
Maria makes it a point to separate herself from many other manufactures by giving each piece the individual attention & love they deserve,since everything is totally hand fabricated by the hands of skilled Mexican artisans.You can see & feel this 'human touch' that is obvious in her jewelry,as well as the patience,compassion & consideration that each piece is given.
WYLIE SECATERO:
Wylie is the perfect example of the new generation of Native American silversmiths.
At the youthful age of just 25,Wylie is already considered a 'master artisan' whose innovative mixed metal designs are high in demand.His 1st jewelry creations appeared shortly after he begun taking lessons at the young age of 10.His father,is the well recognized artist,"Randy Secatero" who taught him how to cut,form,decorate & solder.Randy could not express enough how important 'accuracy' is with each step,always assuring that the piece would be as 'clean' & as close to perfection as possible!
Wylie's fascination with iconic Navajo rug patterns that are so intricately woven by his people from generations back,is what inspires him to incorporate these designs into metal form..
ABOUT Kim yubeta:
Kim Yubeta is THE "Rock Star" when it comes to great charm/treasure/milagro necklaces & if you love a 'seriously' styled,well put together one,this is the woman!
This humble woman is a Tubac,Arizona based artist that is widely known not only here in Santa Fe,but all over the SW region for her works in putting together charms of all sorts, that end up being "Theme" necklaces that tell cultural stories.You'll find ones where she will combine antique treasures with the contemporary,where she finds quality little tiny artifacts with different ethnic cultures & puts it all together,like a display that can literally 'take you' to the place where the charms come from! Sometimes it can take her month's to make one necklace,since it is not easy finding the right colors & the same theme..That's a lot of time being spent to make just one necklace..She is one of the Southwests leading designers when it comes to statement style charm/treasure necklaces..She is highly collectible..
ABOUT VINCENT PLATERO:
Born in Albuquerque in '58 and grew up on the Navajo reservation of To'hajiilee, 30 miles west. His parents/grandparents were silversmiths before him, he was taught by his Mother and still uses tools passed down to him by his ancestors and also makes his own stamps, which give his jewelry an extension of his own identity, onto the sterling.
Vincent is one Navajo artist that is high in demand and is on everyone's wishlist for great Navajo jewelry! Never creating two pieces exactly alike, he is known for his very identifiable hand stamp work, that takes precision, accuracy, dexterity and a good eye to do what he does.
There are a lot of artists that stamp, but there is no one like this artist that can do what he does, to silver. Vincent's stamping is the main focus, while others use stone and then stamp just enough to give the metal some look. He owns the work he does and has a very identifiable look.
Carlos Gutierrez:
Oaxaca born filigree master artist Carlos Gutierrez comes from a family of filigree artists & was actually taught by his jeweler father whose jewelry just happens to be in the book of "Oaxaca Masters"..His father taught him to work in both gold & sterling & Carlos was the only one (out of 10 children) in his family who 'got it' & was taught the hard way,by his pieces being stomped on the floor by his father if they weren't done right..His father would say "Now do it over! And "Never make anything,if you can't make it perfect"! THIS is what helped him to learn..
He started at the young age of 15 & now in his 50's,he got to be so good at that young of age, that he ended up supporting the whole family just on the "art" of making jewelry. He is such a pro at the most precise filigree,that when he moved to the USA,he was employed & worked under the direction of fellow Oaxaca friend & worldwide designer "Federico Jimenez".
I remember being told one time by one of Federico's people "Carlos is the best"..Even they had to admit it.He was one of Federico's top filigree artists & made many of Federico's Oaxaca Filigree/Dove pieces that were being produced some years back.There's literally nothing you can't put in front of this artist,that he can't make...
What you will get from Carlos is filigree made in it's finest form & ensures it's perfectly made before the piece gets sold.
Don Lucas:
A TRUE Santa Fe/Southwest favorite, you can be assured of getting a piece that is totally hand fabricated. Everything he uses within his pieces, are not bought, pre-made by manufactures, but are all done by hand. Don is widely known for his Multi-Colored jewelry. Always setting the bar high by using the best gems out there. This will always be a guarantee when you buy any item of Don's. He ranks probably one of THE top Anglo southwest artists, making jewelry for over 40 years and that has Native inspired influences, being his roots are and have been for many years in the SW. Don is definitely no beginner and is highly collectible, having his own signature, highly identifiable look, with everything he does.
ABOUT ELEANOR LARGO:
Eleanor is a Navajo Silversmith from the Towering House (Kinya'oanii) and Salt (Ashii'i) Clan. Born in 1953, she has been doing jewelry since being a teenager. She specializes in cluster work and earrings that are typically known to the Zuni Pueblo People. What I love about her, is that it matters to her. How good and perfect her jewelry comes out. She is a true perfectionist, beyond precise and exact. Her work is so finely detailed and she ranks up there, being one of the better female silversmiths when it comes to workmanship. Her work is very similar to the late Emma Lincoln.
ABOUT AARON JOHN:
Raised & still residing in his birthplace of Fort Defiance Arizona,Aaron wasn't always a jeweler,like so many other Navajo children, who would watch their parents,aunts,uncles make jewelry,but started out as a coal man for Chevron,turned jeweler later in life..On his down times,Aaron would sit there & draw..and draw...Mostly hummingbirds & dragonflies,which ironically turned out to be included his 'signature' style...He is totally self taught & now his children are following in his footsteps.Once you get to know Aaron's work,you will be able to identify him in a instant,since he has his own style!
ABOUT GENE NATON:
Navajo Gene Naton, has a habit of knowing how to choose the right stones and has an intuitive eye for the silver work that follows. A resident of NM, Gene is definitely no beginner in the industry and is known for keeping his jewelry very traditional Navajo and is always designing the best you will find out in todays market.
His work ranks high and is very similar to the Reeve's, Hoskie's, Becenti's or the Cadman's, when it comes to keeping it traditional and never getting contemporary on us!
ABOUT LEO FEENEY:
Arizona artist LEO FEENEY put the word"Glam" in high end SW jewelry..Leo is known for mixing stones, known to SW jewelry and raises the bar by putting faceted gems with them. One thing that is going to be a guarantee is the fact that you are going to get the best turquoise, the best coral and the best in faceted colored gems. Always making it a point to use the best quality natural stones possible and consistently choosing these stones with fantastic lapidary work that are perfectly cut and polished, boosting the appearance.
Leo's work can can be found in higher end stores throughout the SW.
ABOUT ANDY CADMAN:
Gallup NM based Navajo Andy Cadman was born in 1966 and is a part of modern-day Navajo silversmiths, that have all made their mark in the industry. Whether it's Andy's younger brother Darrell Cadman or whether it's his half brothers, the renowned award winner Sunshine Reeves and Gary Reeves. No matter which direction these artists turned toward, these relatively young metalsmiths, actually learned much of their trade from the now deceased David Reeves. Whether a Cadman or a Reeves they have one thing in common, and that is, an element of apprenticeship that exhibits certain similarities in their work. Andy has made a great name in this industry and is considered collectible.
ABOUT RONNIE WILLIE:
Navajo Ronnie Willie makes Albuquerque, NM his home. Known for his heavy gauge cuffs, with lots of crosses and beads of sterling he extends his love for creating by being a sand painter, sand caster, Katchina carver, rock sculptor, wood carver which most of these things he does more on the side since he mainly focuses on silversmithing 5 days a week. He makes his own stamps and other tools he uses in his jewelry which give his work its own identity. He is considered one of the best in present day jewelry and it's a guarantee you will be getting a piece of jewelry with only the finest quality workmanship.
ABOUT PANSY JOHNSON:
Pansy Johnson was just a teenager in the mid-70s when major fashion designers and celebrities bedecked themselves in turquoise and silver and helped to create a nationwide attraction and demand for Native American jewelry. It was a good time for Pansy,as she begun to make traditional Navajo silverwork at the age of 12 and was able in her high school days to earn extra money to buy herself cool clothes with the money she earned from silversmithing. Like many Navajo children,she was blessed with talented silversmith parents,who passed their knowledge of turning metal & stone to precious pieces of jewelry along to their children.
Gallup NM is often referred as the "Indian Jewelry Making Capitol"of the world,due to it's proximity to the reservation communities & traditional,vast lands of the Navajo people.It is here that Pansy was born & raised & into adulthood continued to practice & perfect her jewelry making talents.
Today,she can create most any beautiful jewelry design requested.Her speciality though,is the precise stone cluster work she does,that requires patience & skill,that only few achieve.Her work is as precise as the late"Emma Lincoln" & with Emma unfortunately gone,Pansy is the lady to watch out for!!
LEE CHARLEY:
Raised in Thoreau NM,Lee Charley's environment in jewelry,seemed like it couldn't be avoided..Back in '84 he was being taught & influenced by his mother Nellie,who was also a silversmith & whom he would help out.His brother is another phenomenal artist"Ernest Rangel" & Lee is married to Calvin Martinez's sister Karen.His son is Matthew Charley & started the same way Lee started & that was by helping out with the buffing & whatever else needed to be done..Matthew has gone on to take home 1st Place in the Gallup Ceremonies
SUNSHINE REEVES:
World renown Award winner "Sunshine Reeves" is no beginner when it comes to creating jewelry,if not masterpieces.He is known for his signature style stampwork,in not only what he uses to create jewelry,but for his fully stamped canteens, his fully stamped "Train" that he won "Best of Class" at the 1998 Indian Market here in Santa Fe & the prior year,winning "Best of Show" for his "Cowboy Coffee Set". The list is too long to list of this one artist's accomplishments.
He is the brother to Gary & Herman,while his 1/2 brothers are the "Cadmans".All are known in the industry & all hold a name,when it comes to quality & traditional,old school Navajo jewelry.
MARIO ROMERO:
Presently living in LA,Calif.,Mario Romero originally came from El Salvador & has worked side by side Federico Jimenez for many a year now.He works under the direction of Federico & nothing gets passed through Federico's inventory,without his "stamp of approval"..Mario uses more of a contemporary approach to design & also specializes in large Dove pieces,as well as Sacred Heart jewelry..Everything he masters,you can be guaranteed the work will be all made by his skilled hands.His work is precise & very well executed!! He follows Federico's signature"Statement" style,while maintaining an identifiable look of his own.
RANDALL ENDITO:
Randall Endito grew up in a family of silversmiths & learned his techniques from his parents.Born in Gallup on Jan.1,1980 to the Tangle Water into Bitter Clan,Randall continues to live & work in New Mexico.You will find,clean lines & detailed stamping,along with scroll work, that gives him his unique style & makes patrons of Southwest jewelry, always being delighted with anything he brings to the table!
ARNOLD BLACKGOAT:
Arnold Blackgoat lives on the Navajo Reservation in "Black Hat"New Mexico...He has been silversmithing since the age of 8,by helping his Grandmother,"Helen Blackgoat & his well known Uncle"Carson Blackgoat".He stays extremely true to his culture & no matter how far artists grow & move into a more modern world,Arnold stays close to his Navajo roots when it comes to design.You will always get a more traditional Navajo style in all he makes..
DONOVAN CADMAN:
Born in 1968 & raised in Gallup,NM,Donovan & his family now reside in the town of Gamerco,NM just outside Gallup.Inspiration & lessons can't help but be learned,if you come from the family that Donovan is a part of..After all, Donovan's older brothers are Andy & Darrell Cadman & his half brothers,happen to be the renowned award winner Sunshine Reeves & Gary Reeves..But,whether a Cadman or a Reeves,they have one thing in common & that is, a element of apprenticeship & exhibit certain similarities in their work,with all of them keeping every thing they do,very traditional!
READDA BEGAY:
Readda wasn't a Begay all her life,but was a Martinez before marrying silversmith,Ernest Begay..She comes from a family who are well recognized in the Navajo jewelry industry,which is the Martinez family.To name a few,her brothers are Calvin,Terry,Leon,Rick Martinez..And to have this type of influence,how could you not produce some of the finest jewelry? Readda & Ernest live outside Gallup in a town called "Bread Springs",here in NM.
GLORIA BEGAY:
Navajo Gloria Begay is the widow of one of the most missed & more higher collectible passing artists in the industry.."KIRK SMITH".What better artist to have worked & learned from,but Kirk! Gloria was left with a true gift to be able to pass on to us,giving us the same quality workmanship,along with the same look..If you are familiar with Kirk's work,you will see a lot of similarities & if you didn't look at the hallmark,you may even think the piece was Kirk's.The vintage revival finished sterling (that Kirk was responsible for bringing to the industry),the way the stones are set & just the whole overall look,all remind you of Kirk's work. And just like Kirk,her work is super clean & precise,with the greatest attention to detail given to each & every piece she makes..Gloria is a collectible artist..
RAY BENNETT:
Raymond Bennett has been a silversmith since 1994. He lives in Gallup,NM,where he was born and raised. He learned his jewelry skills from his family members, including both his parents and his uncles.His work is traditional & gives each piece a more vintage style quality.
ERNEST ROY BEGAY:
Ernest comes from the heart of the Navajo reservation on the Arizona side & happens to be the husband to another great artist "Readda Begay"(Please look in my listings)..Ernest wasn't always a metal smith,but a coal miner,turned jeweler..After taking classes in jewelry making in HS,he ended up making jewelry,but put it on the back burner,so he could work...One day he decided to make a few great pieces & enter them in the highly recognized"Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremony" that is jury judged event & happened to end up winning,Best of Show,Best in Category,1st,2nd & a few 3rd. places.The mine & the rest became history! He turned his attention to solely making jewelry,where he continues to create these award winning pieces..