Heishi Feather Earrings

Product Details:

Sterling Silver, Light Weight, Handmade Heishi Beads: Black Jade, Melon Shell and Kingman AZ Turquoise
Size: 1.75″ Long
Hallmark Chavez
Feather for Protection

Santo Domingo Pueblo:

The Santa Domingo as know as Kewa tribe is located at the Kewa Pueblo 25 miles south from Santa Fe, NM. Santo Domingo Pueblo have been making tradition jewelry the longest of all pueblos, using same techniques and materials as their ancestors. They’re well known for the richest traditions in the making of pottery, turquoise inlays and, heishi necklaces. The word heishi stands for “Shell Bead”, it’s a strand of beads made of shells, turquoise, and other stones which are hand grounded and polished. Every year they hold the largest indian dance ceremony, attracting thousands of people from around the world, where indian potters and silversmiths display their wares for sale.

Handcrafted by Harvey & Janie Chavez:

Harvey and Janie were both born on the Santo Domingo Pueblo reservation. Both were taught jewelry making at a very early age and they are award-winning artists. They make the best completely handmade feather I’ve ever seen. They are hand cut out of sheet silver and each line is hand stamped. They do all the snapsoldering and they even hand cut into the sides with a small saw to make the feather look as realistic as possible. The feather represents protection with the Native Americans. Harvey told me that he is his own critic. He strives to improve on each piece he makes. Harvey and Janie don’t do powwows, rather they sell to select galleries in Japan and England. They are not well known but you can see the fine detail put into each and every feather and no two are identical.