Watson Honanie is known worldwide for gold and silver overlay jewelry. He creates stunning jewelry pieces that depict the Hopi ceremonial life and culture. His uncles Fred Kabotie and Porter Timeche, who are strongly associated with the Hopi Silvercraft Guild, inspired and encouraged him to take up jewelry making. At a very early age, Watson began trying out new techniques and skills on his uncles scrap silver. Most of the pieces he made during his early years were earrings. He learned the art of overlay, his signature technique, from his brother. For years, Watson worked at the Hopi Silvercraft Guild before going out on his own.
Due to the extremely high price of silver back in 1979, Honanie once again used scraps, not to make jewelry pieces, but to create kachinas, small carved figures representing spirits. He has been a silversmith since the early 70’s but it was in the mid 80’s when he started working with gold. His years of experience practicing on silver proved to be an advantage once he finally laid his hands on gold. Today, Honanie works with both precious metals. He is a well-recognized jeweler and has received many awards and accolades, including winning first prize at the popular and highly competitive Santa Fe Indian Market in 1992 with his stunning concho belt, which was made with gold, silver, and coral.
Popular figures featured in Honanie’s jewelry include turtles, deer, wolves, bears, elk, mountain lions, eagles, Hopi dances and village scenes, and suns. His talent in free hand drawing allows him to create fantastic patterns you won’t find elsewhere.
You don’t need to travel to the markets to purchase Watson Honanie pieces because you can now find them online. Be sure to shop with a reputable online seller who can offer you not only the best pieces at competitive prices, but will also furnish you with a certificate of authenticity with each piece of exquisite Watson Honanie jewelry.