Franklin Carrillo is of Laguna/Choctaw heritage. He has been making stunning jewelry in silver and 14K gold for more than twenty-five years. His work shows complicated fabrication techniques and outstanding lapidary skills. These pieces at first appear very contemporary, but on closer examination, are infused with symbolism from Native American culture of the southwest.

Rainbirds appear on historic pieces of Laguna pottery and on pots from other pueblo groups. Frank has incorporated portions of the rainbird image on bracelets, pendants and even belts. Sometimes the image is a subtle overlay of silver or gold and other times it will be created by boldly inlaying colorful materials such as turquoise, lapis lazuli, opal or varieties of Mediterranean coral.

more