Theresa Tsinnijinnie-Yazzie
Originating from Northern Arizona, I was raised on the Navajo reservation. In 2003, I married my husband, and we welcomed our first child in 2008. Prior to the pandemic’s onset in 2019 and early 2020, our lives were filled with travel, relocating between various cities and towns across the United States.
However, the pandemic brought about a nationwide shutdown, including the Navajo Nation, which was compelled to implement strict travel restrictions. Social distancing and prohibitions on gatherings exceeding 10 individuals left our family seeking creative outlets to occupy their time.
During this period, we discovered a passion for silversmithing, a craft deeply ingrained in our family’s DNA. Our grandparents, who learned silversmithing independently in the 1950s, passed down their knowledge to us through trial and error. We found solace in the art of crafting, meticulously hand-filing and stamping stones to create unique pieces.
Each silversmithing creation carries a distinct story and bears a signature stamp, reflecting the individual’s touch and creativity. Our motivation for this art lies not solely in personal fulfillment, but in the hope that our children will also learn and appreciate this craft.
We believe that each piece we create finds its perfect home, bringing joy and fulfillment to its new owner.