Description
Herbert and Veronica Thompson Navajo Sterling Multi-Stone Channel inlay pendant. 21.5 grams 2 7/8" tall x 15/16" wide. No damage, little to no wear.
Herb and Veronica Thompson
Herb is full-blooded Navajo (Dineh), and was born and raised in Shiprock, New Mexico. He was born into the Redhouse Clan (Kinlichiini) for the Bitter Water Clan (Tohdichiini). Veronica, as well is full-blooded Navajo (Dineh), was born and raised in Tuba City, Arizona, and is born into the Salt (Ashiihi) Clan for the Tsinajinnie Clan and has attended school there until transferring to the Intermountain Indian High School in Brigham City, Utah, where as coincidence would have it, Herb also transferred from Shiprock to Intermountain High School. This led to love and marriage. They have been married 45 years in August.
Herb and his family currently live just outside of Farmington, New Mexico in a small community called Kirtland. They have four outstanding children, two young men and two beautiful daughters. The oldest one Aaron, Eric, Letitia, and the youngest Nicole. They have eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Amari and Araceli. Herb and Veronica are respected members of the community and are very giving people. Herb is part of the team that put together the juried art show in Farmington called The Totah Festival. It is a big draw and has many excellent artists attend. Herb sees to it that the work displayed there are authentic and handmade. His knowledge is highly respected in both stones and metals. One of his great joys is sharing that knowledge with the people that purchase his jewelry. They are former members of the Indian Arts & Crafts Association out of Albuquerque, New Mexico and the American Indian Guild of Fresno, California.
Both Herb and Veronica are self-taught artists. They have been doing this for 32 years. It began as a part-time operation. Herb started silversmithing between construction and oil field truck driving jobs. They used to fall back on their jewelry until another job came around. Finally, a family friend and well-known artist, Mark Silversmith, took Herb with him to an art show. He saw the quality in Herb’s work. After an hour, Herb sold all the bolo ties he had with him, and that started the process that turned the jewelry business into a successful full-time venture.
The Thompsons now attend at least one major art show per month and they are recognized wherever they go. They regularly get invitations to sell their jewelry throughout the country. In the summertime they display and sell their art work at the Four Corners Monument where they meet people from all over the world. In the wintertime, they go to various juried art shows.
Herb decided to try silversmithing after hearing from his mother that his grandfather made jewelry in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s to support his family. Herb never met his grandfather, but told himself and family that he will continue the silversmithing and carry on the jewelry business.
