At 4 years old, my mother says I was fond of going up to the ladies at ceremonies and complimenting them about what they were wearing. The texture and colors of the fabrics fascinated me and eventually I found myself attracted to traditional Native beadwork in the same manner. I began beading when I was 6 years old, learning from my grandmother and father. Initially, I beaded pow-wow regalia, only
working on objects for my family. I grew up in a rural Navajo world yet I always dreamed of being someplace else, elegant grand places like Paris, Rome, New York, and Tokyo. I was fascinated by the Renaissance period in Europe; the vision of beautiful women in elegant clothing in the European courts mesmerized me. As a young person, the amazing fabric and ornamentation of this period clothing excited me as much as the Navajo ladies wearing velvet and silver. As an adult, at my first show, I made a conscious decision to step away from traditional Native American clothing and accessories and chose to instead express my passion for beauty, elegance, and luxury using a contemporary aesthetic that blended traditional techniques with a modern feel. To this day, I am inspired by Louie Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, and Prada. My goal since my first show is to push my craft the way those amazing couture clothing makers of the Renaissance pushed themselves and their work. The pieces I create are one of a kind, using silk charmeuse, silk chiffon, silk satin and Egyptian cotton and in which everything is hand sewn; no machines are used. I feel that this helps me stay true to the haute couture sensibility I try to bring to each piece. If I bead everything by hand, then my sewing should be as carefully focused. By taking my time, I am able to add my personal touch to each stitch. In 2010, I felt encouraged and incredibly honored as one of my gowns won a First Place award at the SWAIA Fashion Show in the Contemporary Category. This was my first gown and the award was a huge incentive for me to continue down the path I was creating with my work. When I work on a piece, I can imagine it; I can feel it coming into being. I may not know how it is going to look when I start, but I keep working the piece until I feel it is completed. My passion is to add to the beauty of this world and if I can contribute to this beauty through my work, then I am satisfied.