About Artie Yellowhorse

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Artie Yellowhorse was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, into the Towering House Clan. Her family had long worked with silver, and the craft was more than tradition, it was inheritance. Her grandfather was a silversmith, as was her father, and both were skilled at shaping metal and stone into something that could speak without words.<br><br> From a young age, Artie watched them work. She studied how raw turquoise became smooth, how silver was coaxed into form. She learned that good jewelry wasn't only about decoration, but about precision, patience, and respect for the materials. It was in those early years that her own path began to take shape.<br><br> As Artie grew older, she began developing her own style. She stayed rooted in traditional Navajo techniques but started to explore how those methods could evolve. Her pieces began to reflect both heritage and innovation, blending the past with a clean, modern aesthetic. This vision eventually became a full-fledged brand: Artie Yellowhorse Designs.<br><br> Her daughters, Desiree and Lei Lani, joined her in the work. Desiree became known for her “Tahy” necklaces, each one named in honor of her grandmother, Anna Tahy. Lei Lani took to forming silver beads by hand and also helped grow the business, managing marketing and public relations. Together, the three women built something that honored their family's legacy while pushing the art forward.<br><br> One of the most recognized hallmarks of their jewelry is the “Rising Sun” collection. The design features a raised silver dome at the center, ringed by small silver drops. Each drop is made by hand, giving the finished piece a quiet rhythm and a sense of balance. Alongside the Rising Sun motif, the family is also known for shadowbox techniques and the use of bold, natural stones.<br><br> Their work found a following across the United States, with pieces placed in select galleries and sought after by collectors who appreciated both the beauty and meaning behind the designs. Wherever they went, the Yellowhorse women carried their heritage with them, reflected in the craftsmanship, the stories behind the designs, and the commitment to quality.<br><br> Through this work, the family helped preserve the art of Navajo silversmithing. But they also expanded it. They brought it into the present without losing its roots, and in doing so, they created a bridge between generations. Their pieces are both heirlooms and statements, made to be worn, remembered, and passed down.<br><br> The phrase “Walk with Beauty” captures the heart of what they do. It isn’t just about jewelry. It’s about carrying culture forward, one piece at a time.