Creating contemporary Alaska Native Jewelry

 

I am an Alaskan Native who is passionate about my Tlingit culture. I express myself through making jewelry and art. I find great joy in working in film. When not creating, I am foraging for indigenous plants for cooking and medicine making.

 

Currently I carve silver, copper and gold. Many of my pieces have spruce root woven into them. I hand carve, shape and cut all of my materials to create unique pieces, as well as harvesting and preparing the spruce roots that I weave into many of my metal works. Although I may repeat certian designs, each peice of jewlery is a one-of-a-kind. My style is Tlingit form line mixed with scroll work. Many of my inspirations come from local plants. I delight in creating heirloom pieces that are unique to an individual or family.

 

I have learned most of my jewelry trade from Jennie Wheeler (who is my mother) and from Dave Galanin. Jennie sews with furs and skins and weaves baskets. Dave Galanin is a master carver and jewelry maker.

 

 

Photo: Mary & son Ryker

Photo credit: Crystal Houghtelling

Photo from the Tlingit Legends Collection