Norbert Peshlakai

"Norbert Peshlakai is a Diné jeweler born into the Black Sheep clan. He grew up in Crystal, New Mexico, with nine brothers and sisters. His mother is an accomplished weaver and all of his sisters and one brother are weavers of Navajo rugs. At Highland High School, he had the opportunity to explore his artistic abilities through painting and sketching. He attended Haskell Indian Junior College, furthering his painting skills. In an attempt to fulfill his art credits, he enrolled in a jewelry course where he discovered his hidden talent. Peshlakai made his first silver pot in late 1970. He makes his own stamps from concrete nails and has developed his own styles of textures and overlays, which he is best known for. He has been awarded countless ribbons at the Santa Fe Indian Market, The Heard Museum Indian Show, and The Pueblos Grands Indian Show. "