About Osavio

Santo Domingo/Nambe

OSAVIO CRISPIN SR. is a third generation award-winning jeweler from Santo Domingo. The roots of his inspiration lie in the styles and techniques of the native artists from the
1960’s and 1970’s. This artist presents traditional silversmithing techniques and contemporary works in a truly original way, with breathtaking skill and design vision.

Each piece of jewelry is hand made by Crispin using simple hand tools in his local studio. Often there is inlay or stamping on the insides of his wearable pieces of art. He often pairs overlay with inlay, hand shaping each stone to fit perfectly. Osavio also combines flat intricate inlay with 3-D inlay and uses accents of slivers of sterling silver and gemstones to create a unique feel and look to his very original work.

One thing that is unique about this silversmith is that when he cuts stones or inlays, or buffs, HE STANDS UP! He does not work sitting down!

About Johnson

Navajo

Born and raised on the Navajo Nation, in Pinon, Arizona, Johnson Yazzie has had a lifelong career in the fine arts. Having spent 30 years creating two-dimensional art in the form of paintings, he began sculpting bronze in 2015. He worked as a commercial artist in Phoenix in the mid-1980's, as well as illustrating books, which he continues today.

Johnson says his elders taught him respect for animals, especially for sheep, cattle and horses, for they create a sense of home and give humans joy. Fluent in Navajo and English, Johnson teaches that the word Hózhó means balance, harmony and beauty,

Hózhó is the word by which he lives.

AbouT duane

Hopi

A member of the Coyote Clan, Duane Tawahongva was born at Second Mesa on the Hopi Reservation and lives today in Mishongnovi Village. Duane’s studio sits on the high bluffs

Of Mishongnovi, with a 100 mile view of the eternal desert valley below, all the way to the

San Francisco Mountains.

Duane is self-taught silversmith, working in traditional Hopi silver overlay. His jewelry incorporates hundreds of designs, including traditional Hopi designs such as prayer feathers, clan symbols, corn maidens, water waves and rainclouds. Some of Duane’s work also incorporates semi-precious stones including, but not limited to turquoise, coral, azurite and opal.

Over the last several years, Duane has worked at creating several designs based on Hopi spirituality, designs which are uniquely his own. These designs include his ‘three generations’ and his petroglyph designs which are inspired by Dawa-Ki on ancestral Hopi Lands.

Duane draws his inspiration from the beauty of Hopi Lands and spiritual beliefs. Like all Pueblo peoples, his prayers always include prayers for the world and for other peoples before his prayers for the Hopi Peoples and himself. His sincere hope is that his jewelry brings blessings and serenity to all who wear it.

Duane is also the recipient of numerous awards for his beautiful work.

When Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, Duane encourages visitors to visit his studio where he proudly demonstrates his Hopi overlay jewelry making.