Effie Calavaza (b. 1928) Biography

Effie specialized in sand casting silver and incorporating large stones. Her snake designs are known as her signature style. She began making jewelry in the mid-1950s after learning jewelry making from her husband, Juan Calavaza. Her daughters, Georgiana Yatsattie, Gloria Jean Garcia, and Susie Calavaza, are all jewelers as well. She also has four other children. Effie won an award at the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup, New Mexico. Effie also went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States of America to obtain full copyright of her artwork to stop those from importing fake pieces of her work. Effie's work is collected throughout the world.