Waddie Crazyhorse

CrazyColt (a.k.a. Red Dakota "Waddie" CrazyHorse) is a 3rd generation silversmith who hails from Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico. He hopes to follow in the master-silversmith-sized footsteps of his grandfather Joe H. Quintana and Cippy Crazyhorse, his father. Waddie completed a B.A. at Stanford University in Native American Studies and plans on obtaining his MBA in a few years.

Waddie began to learn to silversmith during the summer of 9th grade, when he was only allowed to observe, and not to “play.” After 3 consecutive summers of observational learning, Waddie took to the anvil and hammered out a silver ingot until it resembled a crusty overdone pancake… clearly this silversmithing thing required more patience and finesse that can only be learned through practice. Eventually, the techniques and skills came together and Waddie entered his first piece of work in the youth division of the 2006 SWAIA Indian Market, where he won a red ribbon. Waddie’s work has matured since, and he likes to keep things "fresh" with his use of non-traditional stones and negative space. Many of his designs are inspired by older (pre-1900) Navajo museum pieces and also by his father’s and grandfather’s work, all of which share a common element of bold simplicity.

While Waddie enjoys working in the old style, producing heavier-gauge pieces from ingot silver, he is curious to learn more about and hopefully incorporate machine-fabrication techniques into some of his work. Many of his designs are inspired by older (pre-1900) Navajo museum pieces and also by his father's and grandfather's work, all of which share a common element of simplicity.