I learned jewelry making from my grandparents. When I was about 10 or 12 yrs. old my grandfather sat me down and said “You have watched me make jewelry all this time, it’s your turn to learn.” Then he left me with his tools and a small strip of silver. Before he left he told me that I had to make something of that piece before I could have any supper. Now keep in mind, my grandfather sat me down after a hard day of herding sheep.

I sat there and stared at the strip of silver for a while and couldn’t think of what to make. I thought I was going to cry or starve. I knew that if I wanted to eat again I better come up with something. So I thought it would make a nice bracelet. By the time I was about finished with my bracelet everyone had gone to bed. My grandfather had just woke up as I was putting the finishing touches on it. When I showed him what I had made he started laughing. Then he turned to me and said, “You’ll get better with practice.” Well from there on, everyday after all the sheep were brought back I had to sit and make a piece of jewelry before I was allowed to eat.

My grandfather had many traditional designs that he had shared with me. He told me that each one should have some sort of meaning or symbol. Most of my pieces do have meaning. One of my most popular pieces is the Firebird of Phoenix necklace. A bird of great beauty, power, and strength.

Each of my pieces is signed with my trademark: DR