I grew up learning how to make jewelry from my family. My grandfather, Kenneth Begay, was a renowned Navajo silversmith and my greatest teacher. My work honors the techniques I learned from him and other talented silversmiths in my family, such as Harvey Begay and Sylvia Begay, while embodying my creativity as a Navajo silversmith. The materials I use within my work are the same he used to teach me. I prefer using natural stones, sterling silver, and gold. Each piece of jewelry is hand-fabricated using traditional methods such as silver overlay, hand-shaped beads, hand-setting stones, hand-crafted bezels, and hand-sawing techniques. Each step in my jewelry-making process requires great skill and knowledge because I do not utilize modern technology or techniques. I stick to the traditional technique my grandfather taught me more than 50 years ago.