Madeline Naranjo creates beautifully carved and polished pottery.  Each piece is pinch-built, carved, stone polished, and traditionally fired.  She is one of the few Santa Clara potters who create pinch pottery instead of coil-built vessels.  This jar is one of her larger pieces.  The jar is entitled “Preparing for Feast Day”.  Madeline has carved into the clay, depicting her grandmother and their children and grandchildren as they prepare for Feast Day.  There are EIGHT figures carved into the clay on this jar.  They are getting their belts and tablitas ready and preparing to tie the laces.  Madeline said they try and tie the belt on as tight as possible. Laughing, she said, “Beauty is pain!” Feast Day is an important day for each Pueblo as it involves family and culture.  Madeline’s matte areas are sanded and perfectly smooth so that there are no indentations or areas where the matte might make a shadow.  Her designs are always innovative and beautifully executed.  The jar is signed on the bottom, “Madeline Naranjo”.