Stephanie Tafoya is a 30-year-old great-granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya, a granddaughter of Lee Tafoya, and the daughter of Mel Tafoya. She has learned to make pottery from her aunt, Linda Tafoya-Sanchez.  Each piece is coil-built, carved, stone polished, and traditionally fired.  This piece is part of her series entitled, “Tewa Voices”.   Each piece that is part of this series focuses on Tewa life, family, and culture.  This piece is entitled “Kiva Sisters”.  Stephanie said of this piece:

This piece is a Kiva Step vase with etched feathers and rosettes. This piece is a story of two families coming together and carrying on kiva traditions. We work as one family and make sure everything is put together for our big day of dancing, our feathers are tied and straightened out and our ribbons and rosettes are sewn on to our mantas.

The jar has a carved kiva step rim. The kivas are where the traditional Pueblo ceremonies begin.  The jar is matte with four carved areas. There are two carved and polished feathers.  There are two additional carved and polished rosettes. The remainder of the jar is matte.  The matte area is striking in the smooth surface.  The feathers are etched with additional designs.   The carving is deep and precise.  The jar is signed on the bottom.  Her name in Tewa is “Khung Be”, which means Holly Berry. This is a hallmark she also puts on her pottery.