Selling other people's jewelry isn't the way Cody Sanderson wanted to make a living.
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And though he's not from a family of famous artists, he knew he wanted to create. So he quit his job, set up in his garage, and took a few classes. He spent freezing nights and boiling days in his uninsulated workshop. He took what he learned about crafting and casting and then he pushed a little further, experimenting with boundaries. "There's a lot to it. A lot of math, physics, heat transfer-it's very hard. I'm self-taught, but I ask a lot of questions," he explains. "And thankfully people are really willing to help." A good piece of his technique was cultivated under the instruction of peer David Gaussoin, who told him that anyone can imitate another's creation, but they can never get at what's inside your head. And it is something inside, more than pure technique, that's garnered Sanderson big accolades in a short timespan, including a prestigious Southwestern Association for Indian Arts fellowship this spring. Sanderson has an eye for metals and an instinct for design. He got through his lean years making hinged money clips-his own design-and graduated to belt buckles, armbands, bracelets, rings and the like. Using stars and flowers as key elements, his aesthetic is both whimsical and striking.
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Some of his most popular pieces are cast from his children's Legos. A fondness for unconventional materials has put him at odds with SWAIA's tight rein on Indian Market, despite his close association with the organization.
"I always hear, 'That's not Indian enough.' Just because we're a departure doesn't mean we're not authentic." Sanderson wants complete freedom to create. "People follow the guidelines but don't question them. It's just a matter of education." But, he acknowledges the art market in Santa Fe has been good to him. He has pieces on simultaneous display at more than a few galleries.
It's a wellspring of passion, though, that keeps Sanderson smiling his characteristic broad grin as he works overtime to keep his venues stocked; in his brief four years as a jeweler, he's developed a spiritual affinity for the medium. Each ring he creates has elaborate patterns etched into the inside of the band, like a tiny secret for its wearer to keep or share. "I love the endurance and longevity of metal pieces. It's really beautiful to see my work on other people's bodies."
