Claudia Peina, Fetish Carver

Claudia Peina was born in 1968. She is a third-generation carver, the grand daughter of George Chee Chee. Her first attempts to carve, as a young child, were to make birds similar to those her grand father was so well-known for. Her first teacher was her Aunt, Rosalie Quam who taught her to make frog fetishes. She also inherited skill and innovation from her uncles, Miguel and Ramie Haloo and her brother, Colvin Peina. Claudia lives in Zuni with her young daughter Gwen and Kal.

Claudia, in turn, taught her younger brothers, Gabe Sice and Troy Sice, many of the techniques she had been practicing.

Over the past several years, Claudia has created new and exciting designs both in traditional fetish carving and more recently in jewelry design that incorporates fetish carving concepts.

Claudia has mastered the art of carving antler, especially elk antler although she has used moose, deer and reindeer as well. Her addition of stone inlay into the antler and buffing techniques create breathtaking designs and beautifully finished products.

Some of her signatures designs include Grinding Woman, Olla Maidens, Bow Priests, Woman with Children, and Praying Woman. She is also accomplished in stone carving and has created spectacular pieces using turquoise, jet, angelite, amber and mother of pearl. Claudia carves bears - standing, walking and even prancing ones, as well as rabbits, frogs, turtles, badgers.

Claudia has recently begun to create ‘fetish’ silver jewelry. Her seminal creations of corn maiden pendants and headdress pendants show her creativity in incorporating fetish motifs with silver. These designs have been executed by Claudia and her partner, Kal Kallestewa.

Over the past few years, Claudia has participated in the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Zuni Expo, the Santo Domingo Fair and the Museum of Northern Arizona Shows.