Steve Yellowhorse Navajo Silversmith Demonstration

Demonstration of making a turquoise and silver bracelet by Navajo silversmith, Steve Yellowhorse. More photos at http://www.cantos.org/yellowhorse/
To order the 53 minute video go to http://www.cantos.org/Booksfolder/volxix.html

Here are the steps demonstrated in the DVD. The YouTube version skips some:
Chapters of the DVD
1. Introduction
2. Family History
3. Inspiration for Design
4. Selecting the Turquoise
5. Designing the Bracelet
6. Selecting the Silver
7. Bending the Wire
8. Soldering the Basic Shape
9. Grinding Silver
10. Shaping the Bracelet
11. Bezeling the Stone
12. Back Plate
13. Soldering the Bezel
14. Sawing
15. Grinding the Edges
16. Soldering Bezel on Bracelet
17. Making the Leaves
18. Copyright
19. Soldering the Leaves
20. Buffing
21. Setting the Stone
22. Final Shine
23. Credits

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Navajo silversmith
• demonstration
• turquoise
• Indian jewelry
• Steve Yellowhorse
• bilingual education
• Navajo culture
• diné bikéyah
• Lupton

[trqsnslvr]

Thank you all for your kind words, they are very encouraging.

[Gerkins1313]

Mr. Yellowhorse, I have 3 of your rings and am always on the lookout for more. I love your pieces! Thank you for letting us in on some of the magic.

[nothingtosea]

amazing demonstration. thankyou very much!

[marszenka]

Thanks so much for posting that. I've spent 2 summers working in giftshops in Tucson, and I love the Native American jewelry -- I've always wanted to see how it was made. It's really very nice of you to put it up. Also, the bracelet is lovely. I hope your wife liked it. :)

I might have to look into a silversmithing class. I like jewelry a bit too much for my own good! 

[GenerationalCouncil]

Dang man that was one of the coolest videos, you should be my teacher. :D

[trqsnslvr]

It would be simpler and faster if you found a class to join, going it alone involves a lot of trial and error. And it's important to study design at any stage you are in. Most libraries have an art section, and the world around us is full of design elements. The more you think about it and study it, the more your mind will focus on the patterns and textures of design. Add to that the techniques you learn in class and soon you'll be making and designing your own jewelry. My best wishes to you!

[erinmooresays]

I really want to get into silversmithing... I just dont know where to start.

[trqsnslvr]

Yes, my stamp is a horse with SY under it, sterling and copyright, I started using that in the late 80's, but when space is too small I just use SY, sterling, copyright. As for the bracelet, I just made the one during the filming, then gave it to my wife. On the question of symbolic meaning, I try to avoid using symbols, I'm striving for simplicity of design in my work. Thank you for your questions and comments.

[apence4904]

Hi - I bought a bracelet that the seller said was made by you. It has a maker's mark that's a horse with SY under it and STERLING under that. There is also a copyright symbol. Could this be yours?

Love the video - very informative and a beautiful bracelet!

[flojogrande]

Some of my favoite pieces are Rings with Eagle themes by an artist named Larry Hoskie. He generally adds leaves and tear drops and swirls that come to an end. What meaning do the swirls have to Navajo or Native Americans? I want to have a better understanding of what I own. Thanks again, Blackcloud