Lupita Calabaza

Kewa Pueblo jeweler, Lupita Calabaza, made this hand-rolled necklace of lovely sea foam green turquoise.  Lightweight with a sterling silver hook and eye clasp.

Two Sizes: 22" L x 19.25" L

Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

Lupita Calabaza created these bold mosaic inlay earrings from apple coral, jet, and sky blue turquoise on jet.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 2.25" L (inlcudes wires) x .5" W

Mosaic Inlay Jewelers from Kewa Pueblo have been creating mosaic inlay jewelry for over a thousand years.  Some of the ancient Kewa jewelry can seem quite modern in their designs.  The stones, and/or shell, are cut into shapes which are then put together like a puzzle on a backing.  The backing can be shell, jet, or other materials like records or sheets of plastic which was used during times when materials were hard to come by.  Prior to colonization and the use of metals in Native American jewelry making, the earrings were hung on handmade string.

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

Kewa Pueblo jeweler, Lupita Calabaza, made these mosaic inlay earrings.  The turquoise is a soft minty green and darker green color.  We love how she inlaid the tan shell and spiny oyster shell onto the backs of jet.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 1.75" H x .875" W

Mosaic Inlay Jewelers from Kewa Pueblo have been creating mosaic inlay jewelry for over a thousand years.  Some of the ancient Kewa jewelry can seem quite modern in their designs.  The stones, and/or shell, are cut into shapes which are then put together like a puzzle on a backing.  The backing can be shell, jet, or other materials like records or sheets of plastic which was done during times when materials were hard to come by.  Prior to colonization and the use of metals in Native American jewelry making, the earrings were hung on handmade string.

Kewa Pueblo jewelry, Lupita Calabaza, brought earth and sea together in these earrings.  Jet and sterling silver are inlaid onto a burnt orange shell.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 2" L - includes wires x .5" W

Mosaic Inlay Jewelers from Kewa Pueblo have been creating mosaic inlay jewelry for over a thousand years.  Some of the ancient Kewa jewelry can seem quite modern in their designs.  The stones, and/or shell, are cut into shapes which are then put together like a puzzle on a backing.  The backing can be shell, jet, or other materials like records or sheets of plastic which was used during times when materials were hard to come by.  Prior to colonization and the use of metals in Native American jewelry making, the earrings were hung on handmade string.

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

Kewa Pueblo jeweler, Lupita Calabaza, inlaid natural sky blue turquoise and shimmering abalone onto orange shells.  A narrow bar of sterling silver lies underneath the turquoise and abalone.  A perfect blend of sky and water.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 2.25" H x 1" W - includes wires