Mary Cain

Mary Cain was a daughter of noted potter Christina Naranjo, and grand-daughter of SaraFina Tafoya.  Mary was an innovator and pottery matriarch in her own right, as she began a family of renown Santa Clara potters, including daughters, Tina Diaz, Joy Cain, Linda Cain, sons Billy Cain, and Doug Cain, and granddaughters Tammy Garcia and Autumn Borts-Medlock. Mary was known for her deeply carved pottery surfaces with a high polish finish on the pottery. Mary used the Santa Clara Pueblo traditional methods of hand coil construction of the pot, and shaping and sanding to smooth form on the pot, then applying a fine slip coat and polishing with a stone to a high sheen.  She fired traditionally in an open fire for red pottery, and manure application to apply the smoke for a black finish.

Christina Naranjo

Christina Naranjo was a daughter of Sara Fina Tafoya and Geronimo Tafoya, and a sister of Margaret Tafoya and Camilio Tafoya. She was the matriarch of a family of renowned potters including daughters Mary Cain, Teresita Naranjo, and great-granddaughters Tammy Garcia and Autumn Borts-Medlock. Christina's pottery can be found in museums nationwide and in books such as "7 Families in Pueblo Pottery." Christina used the Santa Clara traditional methods of hand-coliled pottery, shaped, sanded and stone polished to a high shine, then fired in a open fire, and utilizing manure for the final process for her black pottery.  Many of Christina's pots are deep carved with various patterns but often reflecting the Avanyu designed and carved very deeply around the bowl.