Oct 15, 2024

Behind the Bench with Ivan Tillotson

Meet Ivan Tillotson, one of T.Skies' in-house jewelers. Ivan, a Navajo & Yuki Silversmith, has been a part of the T.Skies family since 2022.

Ivan is from Covelo, California, and Pine Hill, New Mexico. As a jeweler, he specializes in silver and glass beaded jewelry and is interested in exploring wooden jewelry. His creative process involves starting with a stone and crafting a design that complements it, using available materials to bring his designs to life.

His inspiration comes from his family members, including his girlfriend, daughter, and mom. They play a significant role in his creative process.

Watch the video to learn more about Ivan Tillotson!

Meet the artist

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Turquoise and Pinshell Band Rings | T.Skies Jewelry

Spirit: Silver Infinity Band Ring

$85.00$68.00–$85.00

SkyWeaver: Silver Three Ring Set

$95.00

Turquoise Wedding Band Ring | T.Skies Jewelry

Spirit: Trinity Ring

$135.00

SkyWeaver: Silver Band Ring, handcrafted sterling silver with intricate Native American-inspired designs.

SkyWeaver: Silver Band Ring

$55.00

Radiante: Vista Turquoise Ring, sterling silver with a vibrant turquoise inlay, showcasing a sleek design.

Radiante: Vista Turquoise Ring

$115.00

Enchantment: Turquoise Zia Pendant, sterling silver with a turquoise stone and Zia symbol design.

Silver and Turquoise Zia Symbol Necklace

Enchantment: Turquoise Zia Pendant

$125.00

Turquoise and Silver Sun Necklace by TSkies

Enchantment: Turquoise Sun Necklace

$125.00

Stamp Dancer: Attune Cuff Bracelet made of sterling silver, featuring intricate arrow and symbol designs.

Stamp Dancer: Attune Cuff Bracelet

$50.00–$350.00

Sterling Silver Zia Necklace | T.Skies Jewelry

Enchantment: Zia Dangle Necklace

$70.00–$165.00

SkyWeaver: Thunderbird Rising Ring, sterling silver, featuring a detailed Thunderbird design and geometric patterns.

Thunderbird Southwest Band Ring by Turquoise Skies

SkyWeaver: Thunderbird Rising Ring

$75.00

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Square Silver Ring, Pinshell | T.Skies Jewelry

Spirit: Squared Silver Ring

$85.00$68.00

Spirit: Rainbow Infinity Ring, sterling silver with colorful enamel stripes, showcasing a modern design.

Mens Pride Ring | TSkies Southwest Jewelry

Spirit: Rainbow Infinity Ring

$95.00

Spirit: Silver Hoop Earrings made of sterling silver with turquoise accents, featuring a modern Native American-inspired design.

Hoop Earrings Small, Sterling Silver Hoops

Spirit: Silver Hoop Earrings

$85.00

Enchantment: Turquoise Mini Zia Stud Earrings made of sterling silver with turquoise stones, featuring a Zia symbol design.

Enchantment: Turquoise Mini Zia Stud Earrings

$50.00

Enchantment: Turquoise Zia Earrings made of sterling silver featuring turquoise stones and Zia sun symbol design.

Enchantment: Turquoise Zia Earrings

$145.00

Stamp Dancer: Sagebrush Stacker Bracelet, handcrafted sterling silver with intricate designs, by T.Skies.

Silver Triangle Stacker Bracelet by TSkies Jewelry

Stamp Dancer: Sagebrush Stacker Bracelet

$45.00–$195.00

Sage Twist Stacker Bracelet by T.Skies, crafted from sterling silver with a twisted design and engraved details.

Stamp Dancer: Sage Twist Stacker Bracelet

$35.00–$125.00

Enchantment: Zia Dangle Earrings

$75.00–$145.00

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Stamp Dancer: Sage Sisters Bracelet Set, crafted from sterling silver, featuring intricate designs and a twisted band.

Stacking Bracelet Set | Sage Sisters Set Stamp Dancer | T.Skies Jewelry

Stamp Dancer: Sage Sisters Bracelet Set

$80.00$75.00–$305.00

Sterling Silver Thread Earrings | T.Skies Jewelry

Enchantment: Silver Thread Earrings

$75.00

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Enchantment: Turquoise Zia Set, featuring sterling silver necklace and earrings with turquoise stones.

Turquoise Zia Earrings and Necklace in Sterling Silver Set by TSkies

Enchantment: Turquoise Zia Set

$270.00$255.00

Stamp Dancer: Carpenter Cuff Bracelet, a sterling silver cuff featuring intricate fishbone designs.

Stamp Dancer: Carpenter Cuff Bracelet

$650.00

Desert Blossom: Classic Silver Pearls Necklace made of sterling silver, featuring 5mm round beads in a polished finish.

Desert Blossom: Classic Silver Pearls Necklace features 5mm sterling silver pearls layered elegantly.

Desert Blossom: Classic Silver Pearls Necklace (5mm)

$150.00–$240.00

Simple Silver Necklace | T.Skies Jewelry

Single Silver Pearl Minimalist Necklace | T.Skies Jewelry

Desert Blossom: The Single Pearl Necklace

$45.00

Silver Zia Necklace, Southwest Jewelry by TSkies

Enchantment: Petite Zia Pendant

$45.00–$750.00

Radiante: Dawn's Light Turquoise Bracelet, sterling silver cuff featuring a vibrant turquoise stone centerpiece.

Radiante: Dawn's Light Turquoise Bracelet

$195.00

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Spirit: Silver Drop Necklace, sterling silver with turquoise inlay, featuring a sleek drop pendant on a delicate chain.

Spirit: Silver Drop Necklace

$75.00$60.00–$75.00

Spirit: Silver Drop Earrings made of sterling silver with turquoise inlay, featuring a sleek, modern design.

Spirit: Silver Drop Earrings made of sterling silver, featuring a sleek design with turquoise accents.

Spirit: Silver Drop Earrings

$85.00

Desert Blossom: Cactus Flower Earrings made of rustic patina sterling silver, featuring a teardrop design with decorative beads.

Desert Blossom: Cactus Flower Earrings (Rustic Patina)

$95.00

Sterling Silver Sun Pendant | T.Skies Jewelry

SkyWeaver: Sun Pendant

$45.00

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About the author

Mateo James is the founder of T.Skies Jewelry in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and hosts T.Skies live shows, where he has interviewed Native silversmiths, turquoise mine owners and turquoise historians. He is of mixed Spanish, Welsh and Indigenous Native American descent. His guides draw on the reference books in the T.Skies library and on the work of the Native silversmiths T.Skies credits by name.