About Us
We began as a hobby based project, turning into a woman owned small business. We are both jewelry makers and enrolled members of the Dine/Navajo nation. The artists are/were of three generations; Grandmother Phoebe (honorary artist), mother Bessie (80 yrs) and daughter Betina (60 yrs), all of the Hashk’aa Hadzohi clan. We take pride in maintaining traditions and culture, which may be represented in the beautiful style jewelry we create.
Bessie - ARTISAN
Betina - ARTISAN
Grandma Phoebe
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Bessie Smith (Dzabahe) was born around January 12th, 1942 and raised on the Diné reservation, halfway between Leupp and Tuba City, Arizona. She was born into Hashkáán Hadzohí (yucca fruit plant) clan, born for Bįįhbitodní clan (deer water), and paternal grandfather of Kiyáání (tower house people) clan, and maternal grandfather ofTłeziłaní (manygoats) clan. She was raised in a traditional Diné way of life. Bessie has been designing and making jewelry for over 25 years. After her retirement from the state over 20 years ago, she began beading necklaces as a hobby and slowly became a hobby to socialize and vend at powwows/gatherings. She currently works on a part time basis as a consultant to agencies who are in need of Navajo interpretation services throughout the State of Colorado. She is actively participating with our travels to sell jewelry at national conferences.
Betina Smith was born, raised and resides in Denver, Colorado. She is of Hashkáán Hadzohí clan (yucca fruit plant). After 30 years with the State of Colorado, she retired to focus on health and well being. Her interest in jewelry making and traveling has been combined and took the jewelry vending business on the road and makes it a traveling experience! She has been dabbling with jewelry making for over 25 years and now has the opportunity to focus on developing and improving her jewelry making skills. She created and developed this website to increase the exposure of what they do in addition to being informative and provide an opportunity for purchasing their jewelry, Betina is also a part-time consultant. Untissie Dohé was born around August 22, 1926, somewhere along the Dinéhbito Wash, on Diné land. Her mother was Tolly (Twilleh) and father was Bael Dohé (gun man) also known as Jack McCabe. She is of Hashk’aa Hadzohi (Yucca Fruit Strung out in a Row) clan, born to Tł 'ízí lání (Many Goats) clan. Her name Phoebe was given to her by the US government because they couldn’t pronounce her name. In her younger years, Phoebe weaved beautiful Navajo rugs (pictured on "home" page). She became popular for many years at the Friday Tuba City flea market with her yummy burritos. She can no longer make those burritos but her "burrito legacy" remains! Phoebe is with all of us in our hearts, however, her creations were passed down and remains within our jewelry! |