John and Marlene Rosetta have been working together and making heishi since 1972, when they were married. John started making jewelry in 1957, when he was 8 years old. He learned from his parents, Ray and Mary Rosetta, who were some of the original makers of heishi and the originators of hand drawn silver and gold heishi.
Johnny, a Vietnam veteran, was born at the Santo Domingo Pueblo ca. 1949. Marlene is Hopi and was born in 1948.
John and Marlene only use natural materials. They use one coral bead as their trademark and also sign their cones was their initials, JMR. John’s parents signed their cones, RMR.
John and Marlene have won many awards from Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum, 8 Northern Show, and O’Odham Tash. . Their work was sold only through select galleries and museums.
They have 3 children who help their parents make heishi. Their children are Melissa, Moses and Marty.
Johnny died in 2003.
