Metalworking

Chickasaw Culture Keepers

E. Dee Tabor always knew she was Chickasaw, but she didn't know very much about her culture until her uncle began learning the art of traditional Chickasaw metalsmithing. Inspired by the work he was doing, she too began to learn traditional metalsmithing techniques. Today, she works with a variety of stones and metals such as silver, gold and copper to create unique, one-of-a-kind, modern pieces that evoke Chickasaw history and culture. Tabor also draws much of her creative inspiration from nature and says that the stones tell you what they want to be. When the Chickasaw metalsmith is in her studio she always wears a copper bracelet that belonged to her aunt because it awakens her connection to her ancestors.

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