As the author of a book, ‘Women of Jewelry’ I have encountered many women’s stories in the jewelry industry that show how sometimes their work is dismissed, compromised and underrepresented. I have begun to seek out Native Women Jewelry Designers as my next step in this project. I interviewed 2 Native women artists, Denise Wallace who is Inuit, and Robin Waynee who is Saginaw Chippewa from Michigan.
We have featured here several pieces that I have collected over a few years.
Alison Dishta: is a Zuni artist who is a master craftsperson at inlay. She is a contemporary artist that is known for her intricate designs and feminine themes in her work. She loves butterflies, which symbolize femininity and transformation. You can see her work available on our website here. She uses traditional materials like Mother of Pearl, onyx, turquoise and coral.
Pauline Lonjose: is also a Zuni Pueblo artist who is a master of inlay. The Zuni sun face found here is inlaid with synthetic opal, coral, turquoise, onyx and all hand made in sterling silver. She is also known for her petit point work in the tradition of the Zuni Pueblo.
Anna Begay: learned the craft from her father, who sand cast jewelry. She would watch him in the studio melting the silver as he made stunning bridle ornaments for the horse. Anna believes that making jewelry is in her Dine blood. She and her husband Russell Begay live in Kykotsmovi Arizona.
We still have several pieces remaining in this collection, and these reasonably priced, women made pieces would make fantastic gifts for the holiday. We are still shipping out until the very last moment!