Meet Veronica Benally: The Artist We Couldn't Walk Past Twice
MEET THE ARTIST · LANTERN DANCER GALLERY
You know when you see something so pretty that you just have to go back for another look? Well, that's exactly how I met our newest artist, Veronica Benally.
I was on a mother-daughter trip to Santa Fe, which is already one of my favorite ways to spend a few days. We had looked at what felt like thousands of pieces of jewelry. And if you know me, you know I'm pretty picky about what makes its way into Lantern Dancer.
But there was something about Veronica's work.
I walked past her booth once, and then on our second pass, I knew. She was the one.
Her jewelry was colorful, beautifully made, and just different. As unique as your momma's cornbread. And I mean that in the very best way.
A Little About Veronica
Veronica Benally is a Navajo artist from the Navajo Nation who lives near Gallup, New Mexico.
Her story is one of family, tradition, and a whole lot of talent.
Her husband, Ernest Benally, began teaching her silversmithing and lapidary inlay work back in 1997. Nearly 30 years later, they're still creating together, and Veronica says she continues to appreciate his help and insight.
I love that.
There's something special about knowing the hands behind a piece of jewelry, and even more special when those skills have been shared within a family.
Veronica is also an award-winning artist who has participated in some wonderful art markets across the country, including the Heard Museum Indian Fair & Market, Santa Fe Indian Market, and the Eiteljorg Museum.
And those ribbons she's holding in her photo? Well, they're pretty special too.
It's All in the Details
One of the things I appreciate most about Veronica's jewelry is her attention to detail.
She works with several different inlay techniques, including flat mosaic, cobblestone, and cornrow inlay. She combines beautiful turquoise from different mines with seashells, lapis, sugilite, malachite, and coral.
The colors are just gorgeous.
And the silverwork? So meticulous.
That's one of the things I look for when bringing an award-winning artist into our gallery. The little details matter. The finish matters. The stones matter.
Veronica's work checks all those boxes.
The Kind of Jewelry You'll Actually Wear
Here's what I really love about her collection.
You can wear these pieces during the day with your favorite jeans and a simple white shirt, then turn around and wear them out to dinner that night.
I can already picture her colorful inlay layered with a beautiful handmade sterling silver chain. Or even mixed with diamonds.
Good jewelry doesn't have to match everything. Sometimes it's the piece that makes everything else look better.
And Veronica's jewelry has that little something.
It's so pretty, I already can't wait to collect more.
Why We Chose Veronica for Lantern Dancer
We don't bring just anyone into our gallery.
There are so many talented artists out there, and I wish we could carry them all. But we're careful about what we choose because I want you to feel confident that what you're buying is something truly special.
When I met Veronica and saw her work in person, I knew it was worth sharing with you.
Beautiful stones. Gorgeous color. Meticulous craftsmanship. And designs that feel like nothing else in your jewelry box.
She creates both affordable, wearable pieces and one-of-a-kind, museum-quality jewelry. Every piece bears her name stamp or initials.
That's the kind of work I love standing behind.
And I think you're going to love it too.
We're so happy to welcome Veronica Benally to the Lantern Dancer family.
With love,
Christine
