Jolene Bird is an accomplished artist who learned her craft from her grandfather over 20 years ago. Jolene, a Native American, makes her jewelry in the tradition of the Santo Domingo Pueblo in New Mexico. After studying at the prestigeous Poeh Institure in Santa Fe, Jolene has continued to refine her craft by selecting only the finest raw materials and then cutting, carving and shaping each separate element to create her highly refined jewelry. Working with natural materials, Jolene makes her own beads from stone and shells, sizing each piece as she makes her jewelry. She is particularly accomplished in inlaid mosaic pieces. Finishing many of her works with hundreds of heishi beads, Jolene cuts every bead - each a different size and dimension, while at the same time relating to the adjacent beads - resulting in some of the finest traditionally designed necklaces and bracelets found in contemporary Native American jewelry.
Jolene is a regular participant in a number of shows throughout the United States each year. She won 1st Place in the Traditional Category at the prestigious 2012 Red Earth Fesitival in Oklahoma City, an event sponsored by the Oklahoma City Art Museum. And, she took 2nd Place at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, IN (2012) and will be showing her work at the famous Santa Fe Indian Market.
A regular guest participant in a number of national and international shows, Jolene has presented her jewelry at:
- - Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC, Indian Show, December 2012
- - Heard Museum, Scottsdale, AZ, Summer 2012
- - Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC, Christmas Show, December 2011
- - Smithsonian Institute, New York, NY, Select Jewelry Show, November 2010
