Meet the Artists

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 Anthony Baca is a Navajo Silversmith who was born and lives on the To’Hajiilee Reservation outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has been creating jewelry since the early 1970’s, enabling him and his wife to raise a beautiful family on the reservation. In addition to metalwork, he uses a variety of stones like turquoise, oyster, and coral. He also cuts and polishes stones not only for his works, but for other artists as well. 

Anthony brings uplifting designs and stone patterns to his artwork which has brought him international clientele over the years. His designs range from traditional to modern. When he’s not working in his studio or in Santa Fe, he's helping people in his community and family. Anthony enjoys making people laugh and smile, driving his dune buggy, passing along his cultural traditions and silversmithing to the next generations and spending time with his awesome family. 

Frank Armstrong is a Navajo silversmith and leatherworker from eastern Arizona. He started working with leather in 1987 and making his own belts, bolo ties, bracelets and hatbands. Today he still purchases whole hides to create his art. He cuts, sews and hand tools all of his leather pieces as well as the silver and stones. He is passing down his love of artistry in jewelry to his family.

 Dennis Ramone is a Navajo Silversmith who started making jewelry as a young boy. “I learned jewelry making from my grandparents. When I was about 10 or 12 yrs. old my grandfather sat me down and said “You have watched me make jewelry all this time, it’s your turn to learn.” Then he left me with his tools and a small strip of silver. Before he left he told me that I had to make something of that piece before I could have any supper. I sat there and stared at the strip of silver for a while and couldn’t think of what to make. I thought I was going to cry or starve. I knew that if I wanted to eat again I better come up with something. So I thought it would make a nice bracelet. By the time I was about finished with my bracelet everyone had gone to bed. My grandfather had just woke up as I was putting the finishing touches on it. When I showed him what I had made he started laughing. Then he turned to me and said, “You’ll get better with practice.” Well from there on, everyday after all the sheep were brought back I had to sit and make a piece of jewelry before I was allowed to eat. My grandfather had many traditional designs that he had shared with me. He told me that each one should have some sort of meaning or symbol and they do.”

Dennis Ramone pieces are shown in museums like the Smithsonian Institute. 

Anthony Baca, Jr is a Navajo Silversmith who was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was raised and lives on the To’hajiilee Reservation with his wife (also a silversmith) and their 4 kids. Anthony learned the art of jewelry making from his father almost 15 years ago. He started working with brass and copper, then developed a love for silver. He still works with copper and brass, but a majority of his work is silver and precious stones. 

His current collection with us features a heavy silver cuff bracelet set with various stones and stamp work and some golf markers in copper and brass. 

When Anthony is not presenting and selling his works at the Indian Cultural Center in Albuquerque or at various other markets, he enjoys spending time with his family and taking in the outdoors.

 Award-winning Zuni Silversmith, Smokey Gchachu is one of the finest jewelry craftsmen from The Pueblo of Zuni. He is known for his intricate chain work and reversible bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

Smokey's teacher was his mother, Ruby Gchachu. He has won many awards over the years for needle point, inlay, pins, among others techniqurd and items.