Specializing in Hopi Jewelry

Specializing in Hopi Indian Jewelry, Hopi Jewelry, Hopi silver, Hopi silver jewelry & Hopi silver overlay jewelry, Hopi crafts

Duane Tawahongva was born and continues to live in Mishongnovi.  He is self-taught, having learned his craft by watching others, especially his older brother, Berra.

What he wants people to know about his work:  "There is good karma in the symbols I use.  Good Spirit is passed on to those who buy the pieces and wear them."  Duane often uses or incorporates designs from local petroglyphs in his work. 

His home is a frequent stop on tours departing from the Hopi Cultural Center, where he has the opportunity to answer questions and share his beliefs about his culture and craft.
This member of the Coyote Clan uses his initials DT as his hallmark.

Please meet the husband and wife team of Eddison Wadsworth Soohafyah and Cheryl Wadsworth Soohafyah.  Cheryl is another of the fine female silversmiths at Hopi.  She is from the village of Mishongnovi and marks her jewelry with initials CW.

Cheryl and Eddison live just below the rim of the Second Mesa between the villages of Mishongnovi and Shungopavi - they have a tricky driveway, but what a view from their front door!

Anderson's hallmark is the Sun's Forehead his clan symbol with a snake.

Berna is the other half of this team.  She and Anderson live in Apache Junction, just outside Phoenix, Arizona.  There they have a studio where they make and paint by hand Christmas tree ornaments.  Each carefully crafted ornament represents something from the life of the Hopi people.  When the piece is completed, it is quietly blessed by them, thus making it something special!

We are pleased to introduce you to Silversmith, Gerald Lomaventema, who will tell his story in his own words..."I belong to the Bear Clan of Shungopavi Village in Northern Arizona.  My last name was changed from Honwytewa in 2005 because I was given my adult name of Lomaventema.  It was given to me when I became initiated in Hopi men's society.  The name is from the Corn/Water Clan of Shungopavi, my Godfather's Clan.  It refers to the Lightning when it lights up the sky during a thunderstorm.  I have seen the Traditional Hopi Overlay technique of jewelry being made while I was growing up by my father Jerry Honwytewa.  I began producing the Traditional Hopi Overlay in 1987 after taking classes at the Hopi Co-Op Guild shop on Second Mesa.  In 2001, I learned from fellow Hopi artists how to cast in Tufa, volcanic ash which is found here on the Hopi Reservation.  Now I produce jewelry with a combination of Overlay and Tufa cast, also using turquoise and other natural stones in my jewelry."
 

Gerald now has an International following after having attended and presented at the Hopi & Zuni Artist Show in Japan for the past several years.  The purpose of this show is not only to show and sell authentic Hopi and Zuni arts; but also to educate people about "Fake" or "Imitation" Native American arts and crafts in the global market especially in Japan.  Gerald says of the impact on counterfeit art, "the Hopi Nation is a small tribe and more than half of the population is self-employed.  They make a living with their artwork.  When we were learning the overly technique the older silversmiths would tell us we have to make jewelry with meaning.  Imitation and fake are hurting our economy."

Merle Namoki is another silversmith who received his early training at the Guild.  Having worked as a Silversmith for over 23 years, he continues to experiment with designs and work with older craftsmen, such as Phillip Honanie, to create unique pieces honoring Mother Nature and ancient cultures.  He is a member of the Sun's Forehead clan and uses the mark of the Sun's Forehead as his hallmark.  Merle lives in the Second Mesa village of Shungopavi with his wife, Kayla James and daughters, Kalaila and Georgia.

He has also travelled to Japan to present at the Hopi and Zuni Artist Show to help educate an International audience to the "fake and imitation going on in the world."  Merle's message: "The people, shops that sell fake and imitation do not have the quality of Arts and Crafts that you would get from the Artist him or herself."

Charleston (Charlie) Lewis has been making jewelry for 15 - 16 years.  He learned from his Uncle Steven Kuyuvia and uses no patterns, thus each piece is original art.  Silversmithing is his livelihood and allows Charlie to "feel free to express myself and it benefits my whole family and Hopi".  Charlie uses the cloud and corn for his hallmark.

Ronald Wadsworth, brother to Eddison, son of Ted Wadworth has been doing silverwork for more than 25 years.  His work is superb and always unique.   Ron scratches each design directly on the silver before he begins cutting.  He uses no patterns, each piece is an original creation.  Ron's hallmark is Lakon Corn as shown here.

Marcus Coochwykvia has been working as a Silversmith since the 1970's.  He learned his craft from Hopicrafts and was inspired by his brother-in-law, Glen Lucas.  He lives in Mishongnovi and is a member of the Bear Clan.  Although some of Marcus' pieces have a hallmark of a Bear Paw with Friendship Marks in the pad, more often, this man of few words will sign his pieces with his initials MC.

Marcus is shown here in August of 2011.