Wearing this comforting Corn-Maiden and Grandmother pendant can help you remember the wisdom, beauty, energy and strength you have within. Each lovely lady's face is incised and filled with jet paste. Rows of life giving corn kernels are highlighted with inlaid red corals. Dragonflies also adorn the fetish pendant carved from turquoise by Sandra Quandelacy. Measurements are about 2" long including silver bale, 5/8" wide and 1/2" deep. View item

Master carver Kateri Quandelacy Sanchez was a mere nine years old when she was taught to shape stones using only hand tools by her aunt, renowned Zuni artist Faye Quandelacy. Lucky for us the last 12 years have been dedicated to carving full time with Kateri garnering prestigious awards at SWAIA's Santa Fe Indian Market and The Heard Show in Arizona, among others. Sculpted from nicely weighty peacock ore, a turquoise-faced Corn-Maiden sways to the beat of the drum as her shawl conveys a wonderful sense of movement. She's embellished with a turquoise inlay. We love the captivating purple, teal and royal blue metallic hues natural to the rich mineral. About 4" tall, 3 1/2" wide and 2" deep.

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Perceptive and sociable, donkeys are considered all-terrain animals adaptable to many environments as compared to a Horse. Wonderful donkeys are not stubborn but rather it's a special gift that tells them to stay put when danger is sensed. With excellent memories, these long-lived equines are to be admired and cherished like Robert Michael Weahkee's burnished antler donkey or mule. Etched details include a mane, tail, cute nose and warm fringed blanket. The sweet creature with listening ears measures about 5" long, 3/4" wide and 4" tall, with bright eyes from inlaid turquoise.

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Healthy landscapes renew us spiritually and physically. We are part of the intricate web of interdependent relationships in creation including that of incredible Mountain-lions (cougar, puma or panther), a keystone species who maintain the health of many ecosystems. For decades, sport hunting, predator control and loss of habitat have taken a toll on these majestic felines. Without our great cats, there are severe consequences for us all. Felino Eriacho's old-style feline has been sculpted from a handsome found stone. Horizontal stripes of earth-toned hues live in this mineral. Eyes are from pen shell inlays. About 2 3/4" long, 1 1/8" wide and 1 1/4" tall. View item

Alluring peach selenite belongs to the gypsum family associated with peace, forgiveness and acceptance. It is named after the ancient Greek Goddess of The Moon Selene. The Greek culture appreciated the beauty of selenite even constructing windows with the mineral. Kateri Quandelacy Sanchez's refreshing Bear with jet paste eyes, is one to behold sculpted from peach selenite. Approximately 2 1/2" long, 1 1/4" wide and 2" tall.

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Intricately hand-carved by Adrian Leon from the traditional material of cottonwood and painted with colorful acrylic paints, this miniature standing doll represents the Hopi Pot Carrier Katsina. Pot Carrier has many names including Malatsmo or Hand Katsina with a hand print covering the face. A pistachio half is filled with perhaps turquoise pieces to represent a bowl of water. Details are exquisite, including the feathers, pipe cleaner, embroidery thread and cloth adorning this small woodwork that's about 2 1/2" tall, 1 3/8" wide and 1" deep. The measurements include the base. Signed by the artist.

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Leopards have keen insight and intuition, teaching us that fear is actually a gift because it helps us avoid danger and if it strikes, fear guides us in how to best to react. Fred Bowannie, Jr.'s leopard has been sculpted from indigenous Zuni stone and inlaid with eyes from pen shell. Natural dendritic patterns suit this approximately 1 1/4" tall, 1 1/8" wide and 3/4" deep great cat beautifully.

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Boulder opals are mined from large ironstone boulders under the ground hence their name. Thin veins of precious opal forms in cracks and fissures in these minerals as seen in Sherdine Tsatte's Bear cub. Boulder opals are said to offer protection and the granting of wishes. Dimensions of this turquoise-eyed cub are approximately 2 1/4" long, 1 1/4" wide and 1 1/4" tall. View item

Salvador Romero carves until the spirit of the animal emerges creating elegant and timeless silhouettes such as this nicely-sized Bobcat from found stone. Desert varnish occurs on the found stone specimen, a natural incrustation formed from microscopic organisms and cemented clay particles. Independent and resilient, bobcats are found throughout North America. About 7" long, 1 1/4" wide and 4" tall.

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A snake's animal medicine is about transformation. As a snake sheds skin, shiny new scales are revealed. We can learn to release the negative aspects of our lives and emerge refreshed too. Let go of old ways or outdated perspectives to welcome new teachings into our lives. Brandon Phillip's pipestone Snake is a sweet reminder of all the goodness a snake has to offer by how it lives in nature. Eyes and inlays are from turquoise. Attractive sgraffito etching reveals a neat pattern. About 3" long, 1/2" wide and 3/8" tall.

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Paulette and Farlan Quam's gorgeous green marble Medicine-bear is on a mission to find foraging grounds with bountiful chokecherry shrubs or trees. As chokecherries are digested by a bear they change in texture improving germination. Pollinators love chokecherries too. Eyes from turquoise stay focused on the goal. The marble's deep hunter green hue along with white crystalline variations are quite alluring. About 3 3/8" long, 3/4" wide and 3" tall.

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Connecting with horses can help us lower stress and feel peaceful inside. Bryston Bowannie's turquoise-eyed Horse with a lush mane and long tail has been carved from picture jasper, said to keep one grounded and foster an appreciation for earth's natural beauty. A great animal and stone combination. About 2 5/8" long, 1" wide and 2 5/8" tall.

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In addition to being an animal carver, Benina Kallestewa is also a wonderful jeweler. Her mother is noted jeweler Veranda Kallestewa. Vernal Kallestewa is Benina's son, a wonderful emerging jeweler. Benina's bushytail (Coyote, Fox or Wolf) has sparkling cultured opal eyes inlaid to onyx. Polished to a nice finish, we're admiring the tail region left rough hewn. About 4 1/4" long, 3/4" wide and 2" tall.

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The natural patterns within this particular spirit stone fluorite specimen are like powerful winds whipping up the sand and dust from a far-off desert oasis. Stewart Quandelacy and Priscilla Lasiloo Quandelacy's gorgeous Medicine-Bear measures about 1 3/4" long, 1/2" wide and 1 5/8" tall. Eyes and an alternating heartline or breath path are from sky-blue turquoise. View item

The Sunface is an iconic Zuni symbol that honors Father Sun and represents the balance of sky and earth without which life would not exist. April Unkestine is well-known for fabulous Sunface inlay work. Here she offers a pair of stunning sterling silver Sunface clip-on earrings. Rich coral, turquoise, iridescent mother-of-pearl and pen shell compose the face meticulously set in the stone to stone method. A feather motif from mother-of-pearl and red coral are achieved with the channel inlay technique where the materials are beautifully set between silver. Signed by the artist, these comfortable clip-on earrings are about 1" in diameter. They are medium-weight in wearability. View item

A get up and go Bear is looking forward to the journey ahead, smoothly sculpted from a sensational silver lace onyx specimen. This fascinating onyx is in the chalcedony family and is prized for containing minute amounts of silver. Turquoise inlaid eyes see it all. Sculpted by Christopher Sandoval, master carver Melvin Sandoval's son. About 2 1/4" tall, 1 1/4" wide and 1 1/2" deep. View item

In the old days, Zuni women retrieved water for daily needs by filling and balancing large beautiful pottery jars called ollas on their heads. Here, an Olla Corn-Maiden shares in the work with a peaceful face etched and filled with jet paste. A sculpted olla jar holds crushed turquoise to represent life-giving water. Incised stars and jet inlays adorn this approximately 3 1/4" including bale and 2 3/4" wide pendant sculpted from iridescent smoky mother-of-pearl by Kateri Quandelacy Sanchez.

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The Zuni People (A:shiwi) believe human ancestors emerged onto Earth after passing through the Levels of Emergence, a series of four wet and chaotic underworlds. When they finally surfaced on dry earth there were already powerful animals living here. These animals preyed upon the People, since they were naked and defenseless. They cried out to the Creator for help. Hearing these cries, Creator dispatched the heroic War Twins armed with lighting bolts. The War Twins struck the animals with these lighting bolts and turned the creatures to stone. Their hearts however were left beating in ossified bodies. These creatures were then entrusted with assisting humans on their journey. The essence of these animals can be represented by the heartline feature or breath path extending down from the mouth and into the chest. Heartlines are not always inlaid stone or shell either. They can simply be the natural striations in the rock as seen in Benina Kallestewa's gorgeous onyx Bear. Eyes are from cultured opal inlays. About 1 3/4" long, 1 1/8" wide and 1 1/4" tall.

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Jonas Hustito's Frog with tiny drilled nostrils has a case of the cutes. Sculpted from a handsome travertine and inlaid with endearing turquoise eyes, this young amphibian's precious mannerisms will capture your heart. Dimensions of the important water creature are approximately 2 3/4" long, 1 3/4" wide and 2 1/4" tall.

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Walking so close to Mother Earth, Medicine-Bear knows what songs to sing. Bears have powerful attributes we can hope to emulate. Smoothly shaped from verdant ricolite with hues like an evergreen forest, Stewart Quandelacy and Priscilla Lasiloo Quandelacy's Bear measures approximately 2" long, 3/8" wide and 2" tall. Eyes and an alternating heartline are set from sky-blue turquoise inlays. The heartline is a visual representation of the animal’s breath and has its origins in the creation story of both the first animal carvings and the first A:Shiwi (Zuni) People.

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Roadrunners are feisty birds who live in desert regions. These terrestrial cuckoos are tough customers who defend territories and nests against potential threats. They mate for life too. Daryl Shack, Sr.'s crested roadrunner is rendered in Picasso marble with a stunning grey and white inclusion. Sparkling eyes are from cultured opal inlays. We're loving the angled plumage and tail feathers. About 2 1/4" long, 5/8" wide and 1 1/8" tall. View item

Encountering a Butterfly is a sweet a reminder to embrace change with an open heart. Rodney Quam's wooden box with felt liner and lid is hand-painted with colorful acrylics depicting pretty butterflies, blooming Zuni posies and feathers in a happy springtime scene. With the lid on, measurements are approximately 4 3/4" in diameter and 1 1/2" tall. The inside of the box without lid is about 3 3/4" in diameter and 1" tall. Signed by the artist.

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Make sure your loved one gets JUST what they want!

KESHi Gift Certificate 

Give the gift of choice with a KESHi electronic gift certificate. KESHi online electronic gift certificates are available for purchase via our website. Certificates are issued via email to the purchaser with a gift certificate code, and the recipient can use the code at website checkout. Our electronic gift certificate have no processing fees, no expiration dates, and can be used only on our website. Please call the Keshi Web Office for additional information or assistance at 505-795-7119.

KESHi In-Store Gift Certificate 

KESHi in-store gift certificates are available by calling our gallery at 505-989-8728. They can be purchased in any amount, and either mailed to you or your recipient, or picked up locally at our gallery. 

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A Corn-maiden fetish pendant necklace is a celebration of female energy. Cheryl Beyuka carved her from gold lip shell and inlaid a jet and coral necklace, plus a coral mouth. Eyes are delicate slivers of inlaid jet. A corn body is surrounded by etched blossoms inlaid with jet and turquoise. Claudia took her time with the fine details and polishing to give this maiden a glow of respect and dignity. The fetish pendant itself is about 2" long and 7/8" wide, while the lapis, coral and perhaps crackle glass bead necklace is approximately 17" long.

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Lance Cheama's family members include the late Fabian Cheama, Arvella Cheama and Wilfred Cheama. Since the early 1980's, they've been innovators in contemporary animal fetish carving. Sculpted from an outstanding marble, Lance's furry-etched Bear hosts a cool crescent moon inclusion on the hip area. Crescent moons are said to be a powerful emblem of growth and renewal. Deep hunter green and soft pink hues are appealing. Concentrating eyes are from turquoise inlays. Dimensions of this collectible friend are approximately 2 1/2" long, 1 1/4" wide and 1" tall.

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Dragonflies are a promise that brighter days are on the way. Peter Sohappy's carved actinolite and serpentine Dragonfly has articulated wing joints attached with thread beautifully secured to the body. Other elegant design features include silver beads and an iridescent mother-of-pearl disc. Approximately 4" long plus a 4 1/2" leather trail, 5 3/8" wide and 1/2" tall. View item

Traditional overlay jewelry is achieved with two pieces of silver soldered together. The top layer has a beautifully balanced design that is cut out by hand. When the design is finished, the top layer is soldered to the second layer of silver allowing the design to show through the open areas. Abraham Peina's sterling silver overlay presentation has flowing curves complimenting the reticulated second layer of the bracelet. Flattering the composition is an iridescent paua, a shell that Indigenous Māori regard as a symbol of fertility and the interconnectedness in creation. The shell's changing hues represent transition. Also, a small Sleeping Beauty turquoise cabochon adds a pleasing pop of sky-blue color to the piece. The gorgeous cuff bracelet with rich 14k gold accents is about 1 1/2" wide. Its entire inner circumference is approximately 7" including the 1 1/4" wide opening. Signed by the artist with fabulous stamp work. Please click here for help in determining wrist size.

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Melvin Sandoval carves effortlessly. Great skill and natural talent are evident in an earth-loving Badger. In the wild, a badger is determined and purposeful in all it does. Good animal medicine for us, that is to complete goals through planning, concentration and confidence. About 3 1/2" long, 1 1/4" wide and 1/2" tall, from the loveliest of dolomites.

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Renowned Zuni jewelers Nancy and Sheldon Westika's sterling silver, Kingman turquoise and bold Acoma jet channel inlaid ring has a striking presence. Acoma jet is a natural ancient fossilized coal or wood originating from the Acoma Pueblo area in New Mexico. Each stone and rich jet piece was meticulously cut and set with silver channels in between, which is called channel inlay in the jewelry world. We love the broad shank on this gorgeous ring that's signed by the artists. It is a ring size 11, while the inlaid station is approximately 5/8 wide. Please click here to learn more about Zuni Pueblo jewelry.

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Owls know exactly where prey is hiding even in complete darkness because of keen hearing. They teach us that listening is following and understanding the sound, hearing with a purpose. Troy Sice's magical leaning Owl listens intently exquisitely carved from burnished antler. Enchanted eyes are from pen shell in gold lip shell, while a darling beak is from pen shell. About 1 1/2" tall, 1 1/2" wide and 5/8" deep. View item

Stewart Quandelacy and Priscilla Lasiloo Quandelacy's Medicine Bear fetish necklace is truly special. Two luscious strands of turquoise with pops of red coral and tiger's eye beads hold a mighty bumblebee jasper Medicine-bear pendant, which itself measures about 1 1/2" long including naja and 1 5/8" wide. An elegantly carved naja or crescent shape on the reversible Bear pendant is a design the Quandelacy family originated. The naja is carved right into the stone's center, instead of attaching a metal bale. This dynamic style was started by the late Johnny Quam and continued by his daughter Ellen Quandelacy right down the family line. A turquoise alternating heartline or breath path and eyes are meticulously inlaid. Other exquisitely carved animals include armadillo, squirrel, Eagle, Mountain-lion, bushytail (Coyote, Wolf or Fox), Mole, Rabbit, Badger, Turtle and Beaver. They are masterfully sculpted from turquoise, spiny oyster shell, lapis and leopard jasper. Expressive eyes are from inlaid turquoise or coral. The animal's average in size from about 1" long to roughly 1 1/4" long. A museum-quality fetish pendant necklace that's approximately 20" long with a 6" extension chain.

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