SWAIA ARTIST Profile

Orval Joe

Name
Orval Joe
Tribe
Southern Ute
Main Classification
Classification #2
Classification #3

SWAIA Booth History

SFIM25
CP 22
WIM24
SFIM24

SWAIA Highlight History

Featured in 2024
Read Here

2024 Award History

N/A
Portfolio Example & Artist Statement
Orval Joe

For my jewelry, I work with sterling silver or 18K gold and Kingman blue turquoise. I also use various seashells such as spiny oyster, mother of pearl, black pen shell, pink mussel shell, red abalone, and Mediterranean Sea coral. For my techniques, I start by hand-drawing the design on a sterling silver or gold plate, then drill a hole to insert a saw blade. Using a handheld coping saw, I cut out the pieces and solder them onto a bottom plate. Next, I cut and grind shell pieces, shape them, and inlay them into the silver. Then, I use a special glue for bonding. Using different sanding grits, I smooth the stones into the surface. Before the final step, I use a handheld Dremel for detailing the inlayed stones. Finally, using two cotton wheels and polishing compounds, I polish to a mirror-image shine in a two-step process.

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