ISMAEL CÁRDENAS

Ismael Cárdenas creates one of a kind handmade sterling silver rings and bracelets using natural American turquoise from around the southwest and natural gemstone necklaces, earrings, and pendants.

Born and raised in Galisteo, he first participated in the Galisteo Studio Tour at the age of ten. He made small bird carvings from village trees and painted retablos. Ismael remembers fondly how he sold his art and ate his grandmother’s food: she ran the Cosina de Mela food stop at the Community Center, and always packed the room with hungry visitors.  

At age fourteen, Ismael took part in the Spanish Colonial Art Market as a youth artist, selling his retablos. He was mentored by his great uncle Macario Duran who served in WWII and had work featured in the Smithsonian. 

When Ismael’s interests turned to jewelry, he learned the basics of working with furious metals by taking as many classes as possible at Santa Fe Community College.  It was a painstaking process to obtain his own equipment, but now he can create his own designs from home, with no creative limitations. Ismael strives to use natural American turquoise from around the southwest as well as all natural gemstones. All his pieces are one of a kind and hand crafted in his studio in the village of Galisteo. His materials are his inspiration: each stone has its own unique properties.