AW Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

AW Celebrates Native American Heritage Month. In honor of November being Native American heritage month, we would like to introduce you to some of the award-wining Native American artists and jewelers that have partnered with us to guest design stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces for American West Jewelry.

Jody Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo

Just this September, Jody was awarded the prestigious Governor’s Award for her excellence in the arts. She is celebrated for her contemporary pottery that often incorporates strong female motifs and whimsical animal designs. Two of her most recent pots were the inspiration behind some of our new jewelry pieces, shich you can see more of here: https://americanwestjewelry.com/?s=naranjo&post_type=product

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAmericanWestJewelry%2Fvideos%2F730873313919205%2F&show_text=0&width=560

Kenneth Johnson , Muscogee/Seminole

Kenneth is an accomplished metalsmith recognized for his bold combinations of stampwork and engraving that often incorporate coins and bead set gemstones.  This year he took first place in the earring category at the Santa Fe Indian Market for a pair of 23KT gold coin earrings. Some of his designs for American West include these gorgeous sterling Gorget Drop Earrings:  https://americanwestjewelry.com/product/kenneth-johnson-sterling-silver-silver-gorget-drop-earrings/

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAmericanWestJewelry%2Fvideos%2F2006634422728213%2F&show_text=0&width=560

Fritz Casuse, Navajo

Fritz has become well known for his complex, handcrafted masterpieces that can best be described as wearable sculptures. This year he, too, took first place at the Santa Fe Indian Market in the ring category.  His fluid, three-dimensional style has found its way into his designs with us, as well, which you can see more of here: https://americanwestjewelry.com/?s=fritz&post_type=product

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAmericanWestJewelry%2Fvideos%2F2075976375748498%2F&show_text=0&width=560

Ungelbah Davila is American West Jewelry’s blogger, lifestyle photographer and social media contributor. She is Navajo of the ‘Áshįįhi Clan, as well as a native New Mexican of Spanish, Irish, and Sephardic ancestry. Her name, which in English means a woman who has been to war and lived to fight again, was passed to her from her maternal great-grandmother and is a source of personal power that influences the unique narrative she brings to her many art forms.