THE ARTIST:

There was no way to avoid being a jeweler for 29 year old Navajo artisan SHAMINIKA WILLIE, who shares her blood lines with one of the industries most recognizable Navajo names--The "Willie's".. Melissa Willie (see “Bracelet” listings) is Shaminika's mother & Ronnie,Lonnie,Rudy Willie happen to be Shaminika's uncle's & Cooper Willie, Tawny Willie & Dakota Willie are her cousins.. It is however, Shaminika's mother Melissa who taught the ropes of metalsmithing to not only her, but to Shaminika's younger brother Micah as well! There's not too many in this family who don't make jewelry & not too many who aren't good at what they do! This whole family has made a reputable name off their gifted talents..

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THE EARRINGS:
Made of light gauge sterling,these earrings are works of art, but in 'Metal Form". They are made with a 'cross within a cross' design & if you zoom in on the photos, you'll notice how the stamps that Shaminika used,follow the perimeter shape of the cross. The metal is lightly oxidized,whereas deep in the crevices of the stampwork are left darker to accentuate the tooled design.

Since they're made with a light gauge sterling, makes these super wearable in weight,so much so that you might not even realize you have them on! So for those who love Native jewelry but can't do heavy, these would be a great call.. Plus being they're all sterling,you can pair them with literally anything,from wearing them with colored stone jewelry, to wearing them when you want to do a day of all sterling!! I'd call these 'that perfect 'go to' earring' that you wanna grab all the time!