Sanford Edaakie was raised in a Zuni family where inlay is a way of life. His father, Dennis Edaakie, was a master of Zuni inlay, known for bringing fine, lifelike detail to birds, animals and flowers in silver. His mother, Nancy, worked beside Dennis, and the two signed their work together. Sanford and his brothers, Dale and Derrick, each went on to become jewelers.
Sanford is best known for his birds. A hummingbird hovers mid-flight. A cardinal glows red against a dark ground. A parrot, a blue jay or an eagle comes to life, each one built from tiny pieces of coral, turquoise, mother of pearl, abalone and jet. Every stone is cut by hand and set in sterling silver, one at a time. The cardinals and hummingbirds he makes were also favorites of his father. Because every bird is cut and set individually, no two are exactly alike.
