Tom Yazzie - Jewelry Artist

My Name is Tom Yazzie I am a Navajo, born and raised on the Navajo  Reservation. I am of the Bitter Water clan born for the Water Edge, my  maternal grandparents are Towering House and my paternal grandparents  are Red House.

I received my Bachelors of Arts in  Music with an emphasis in Classical Guitar Performance from Northern  Arizona University in 2000. I continued working at NAU then decided to  recommence my education and began taking classes for my second degree. I  received my second Bachelors in Fine Arts with an emphasis on  Metalsmithing in spring of 2012. I am now enrolled to receive another  Bachelor in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Sculpture.

My designs come from interpretation of the world around me. I  continue to challenge my abilities with metal by discovering new ways to  create a piece that is uncomplicated and multifaceted. This approach  allows me to maintain the traditional styles of my Navajo heritage along  with a more contemporary twist to my finished wearable work. I enjoy  the visual effects of coupling hand cut gemstones and minerals with my  metal designs. I utilize hand selected raw materials and shape them to  perfectly fit each piece. This allows me creative freedoms to design  forms from beginning to end.

While I utilize a variety of  materials and processes in each piece, my methodology remains  consistent. My intent is to bring into fruition my personal ideas with  an underlying theme of traditional yet contemporary Navajo Jewelry.

Website: Ty Metalsmithing

Email: tymetalsmithing@yahoo.com