Joanne Peina is a Zuni jeweler, well-known for her simple, ‘band’ design. Her specialty is hoop earrings, made in three sizes and a variety of colors, usually coral, turquoise, lapis and jet. She also makes rings, bracelets and bangles. Learn more…
Joanne Peina is the oldest of seven children. Joanne was taught by her mother Tina – known in the Zuni art community under the name Tina Haloo. At the age of 12 Joanne started by assisting Tina. The ‘family’ design, a style of channel inlay in a repeating, linear, triangular pattern, originated with Tina’s brother, the late Elmer Chavez. Tina has been active since the later 1960’s, still making the same design, but slightly wider and sometimes using copper in addition to silver. Joanne was born in 1963. Two of her sisters (Mandy and Charlene) also began making jewelry, but are currently inactive. Sister Claudine Haloo makes a similar earring. Her other siblings became fetish carvers – primarily under the influence of their grandfather, George Haloo Chee Chee, their maternal aunt, Rosalia Quam and maternal uncles, Miguel and Ramie Haloo. Except for brother Colvin Peina, who died about 10 years ago and was the originator of many designs and style and remains highly collectible, the others – Claudia Peina, Troy Sice and Gabe Sice, are prominent highly-collectible active carvers. Joanne lives in Zuni and currently fills large orders for both local-area trading posts and some itinerant traders. Although in 2015 Joanne is heavily involved in religious obligations, she continues her jewelry making. Back to top…