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The beauty of Native American jewelry
speaks to collectors worldwide. Not only
does this traditional artform thrive,
it continues to evolve. Created by
talented artists such as the four featured
today, these pieces will provide pleasure for
many decades to come.
Oh, and it's never too early to buy
those Valentine's Day presents, folks.
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Earl Plummer
Thoreau, New Mexico resident Earl Plummer
began learning silverwork around the age of
14, when he was taught a bit of Navajo silversmithing
technique by his
family members. He studied throughout high
school and soon learned that he could support
himself through the trade. Now married with
four children, Earl has virtually perfected
the skill of making very fine beads and fine
channel inlay, often using double channels
with stones in between, as in this beautiful
silver and turquoise hummingbird
pendant.
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Jasper Nelson
Making silver beads is no easy task.
Beginning in the 1920's, some time after the
early days of Navajo silverwork, jewelry
companies began producing "bench beads" which
were half shells stamped out of silver, for
later assembly to make mass-produced
necklaces. The art of handmade bead making
didn't totally die out, and has made a
comeback in the past 30 years. Silversmiths
such as Jasper Nelson are now producing
incredible work, as in this necklace of
exceptional sterling silver beads.
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Calvin
Martinez
Navajo silversmith Calvin Martinez has, for
decades, created what some have called "new
traditional" jewelry. He utilizes old stamps
that he has found in his local Gallup area
and is also renowned for finding what have
become rare, somewhat precious turquoise
stones from old mines such as Royston and
Blue Gem. This silver bracelet
features a
beautiful large Blue Gem stone in a setting
that is at once traditional, but also unique
to Martinez's vision.
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Duane Maktima |
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Duane Maktima is a Hopi/Laguna jeweler who
works at his own gallery/studio in Glorieta,
southeast of Santa Fe. Duane has long used
unusual stones in interesting combinations,
such as in these earrings, which
feature
rosarita, calkacyderite and opal set in
sterling silver.
Growing up in Holbrook, Arizona, Maktima
studied at Northern Arizona University,
originally intending to enroll in the
forestry program. Due to over-enrollment, he
had to register in a general arts program
instead, which eventually set him on the
course of creating jewelry. He cites
influences as diverse as Charles Loloma,
Scandinavian design and his extensive
research into ancient Native American
artifacts as all having a great impact on his
unique creations. Maktima is known for
creating precise mosaic inlay set in gold or
silver, a direct result of seeing a multitude
of mosaics, patterns and inscriptions in
those artifacts.
Over the years, Duane has won more than 200
awards at shows such as Indian Market in
Santa Fe, the Heard show in Phoenix and many
other fairs and festivals. His work is in collections
throughout the world.
See More Jewelry by Duane Maktima on New
Mexico Creates
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