James Fendenheim

James is a renowned silversmith and jeweler, born to a Tohono O’odham mother and a German-American father. His parents met in Los Angeles in 1954. His mother was a University of Arizona student visiting California on a summer study program when she met his German-American father who was stationed as a Marine at Camp Pendleton. They married in Tucson, Arizona and James was born in 1957.

As a child, Fendenheim grew up around horses and they continue to appear in his work. He is a graduate of the prestigious Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After completing his studies, he returned to the reservation to live. His grandmother, Frances Manuel (1912 - 2006), a master basket weaver and the subject of the biographical book Desert Indian Woman, was his artistic mentor and greatest inspiration.

Fendenheim apprenticed under renowned Tohono O’Odham silversmith, Rick Manuel and was influenced by Manuel’s overlay designs. James's work reflects the stories of the Tohono O’Odham tribe and the Sonoran Desert. He handcrafts each piece with exceptional care, creating unique items for his collectors. His creations include jewelry as well as distinctive decorative items such as bridles, spurs, memorial staffs, silver boxes, crowns, and sculptures. His designs often incorporate precious stones and rare materials, making each piece truly one of a kind. He is an award winning silversmith that has participated in many shows and markets, including the Santa Fe Indian Market, Heard Museum Show, and many more.