An amazing piece of jewelry from Navajo designer Aaron Toadlena.  Blue gem mine turquoise on a sterling silver pendant and 26" chain, offered by Aquila Designs, Inc.

As a testament to the rich cultural influences of his people, this rare artist brings to life the true spirit of Native American jewelry arts. With a career 25 years in the making, Aaron Toadlena has become an accomplished silversmith, mastering the fine craft of stone inlay, as well as many other traditional Native American jewelry making techniques. He has received numerous awards at Gallup, New Mexico Ceremonial and his work is featured in museums and galleries around the world. A 40 year resident at the Navajo reservation, Aaron now celebrates his success and growing recognition for his artistry, with a new line of “Vintage Revisited” traditional Native American jewelry designs of the 1920’s,30’s and 40’s. “Creation” is perhaps the single word which best describes the talent which has been harnessed by Aaron Toadlena. He and his wife of 21 years reside with their two daughters, two sons and their first grandson, within the four sacred mountains of his people, the Dine, in the southwest highlands of Arizona. All of the fine jewelry made by Aaron has been stamped with a handprint, which is symbolic of the Creators Five Finger Clan. The creation of his jewelry evolves when his mind, heart, eyes and hands work in concert. The melody of the silver art work is from the well of his soul. Aaron understands that his gift and talent are a blessing from the Holy People. He has sustained the livelihood of his family by working with stones which have very special meaning. Today, the elders of his people continue to make their offerings of white shell, turquoise, albalone shell and jet for the goodness of life near the natural streams. These stones are complimented with silver and gold, with the same thought in mind… the goodness of life. His fine art work is often created late in the evening or in the early dawn at the home of Toadlena – where the streams come together. http://www.aquilainspireddesigns.com/artist_detail.php?recordID=21

Store Address
Aquila Inspired Designs @ FOUR
1512 Pacheco Street Suite C202
Santa Fe, NM 87505

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10 a.m - 5 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Mailing Address
Aquila Inspired Designs
P.O. Box 94747
Albuquerque, NM  87199-4747

Phone Numbers
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F: 505.867.1104

http://www.aquilainspireddesigns.com

Aquila had a vision to create a warm and wonderful art and design store, Aquila Inspired Designs, which lives inside of a decorative arts & design collaborative, FOUR, a premier decorative arts studio in Santa Fe. Aquila Inspired Designs brings together beautiful collections from a variety of local and distant artisans, while featuring her museum-quality handcrafted fine jewelry, mixed with vintage and antique furniture and collectables, paintings and other fine decorative art.

Aquila Inspired Designs continues to be a place that is filled with gifts, treasures and artful inspiration - for your home & your spirit!