The forging techniques I use to create my unique pieces descend from those the early Navajo smiths developed over 150 years ago and preserve the spirit of a practice they developed to create beauty during a time of war and chaos in a very harsh environment. These early metallurgists often built their own primitive furnaces, then melted scrap precious metal and coins to make ingots they could hammer out into bracelets, rings, and necklaces. I use the same approach to make these collectible pieces. I begin by creating my own useable materials; forging ingot blanks using a torch instead of bellows and a fire and pulling wire by hand to emulate the techniques and styles used by early jewelers. After this, I shape, hammer, ultimately using stamps to create the designs that makes these one of a kind pieces. What results is a collectible piece that honors the past and brings the beauty of a traditional work into the present.