About Me

Ya'at'eeh shi ei Raychelle Shabi yinishye. 

Born and raised on the Navajo Nation (Whitecone, AZ), my culture and traditions are the inspiration for expressing myself through my art. Beading, painting, woodworking, leatherwork, and sewing are the primary ways in which my spirit, my mind, my traditions, and my culture manifest themselves in artistic expression.

It was my Nali (paternal grandmother), with her kind, gentle, and wise soul, who set me on my creative journey. Under her patient tutelage, she passed on to me the traditional Navajo art of beadwork. As a young girl, I was an attentive student, eagerly absorbing the knowledge that my Nali was taught when she too was a young girl. I treasure those times and memories.

When I think of my beloved Nali, what I remember most about her was her inner strength and her living the “old ways” of traditional Navajo culture. These ways included no indoor plumbing or electricity and living close to nature.

For example, she, like so many Navajo, raised sheep. I fondly remember going out into the mountains with her to herd sheep. On these journeys, she introduced me to ghost beads. These can be found in abundance upon cedar juniper trees which flourished in and around the reservation.

My Nali taught me about how these ghost beads are traditionally worn on jewelry such as bracelets primarily for protection from evil spirits or negative energy. She taught me how to prayerfully harvest these ghost beads and to give thanks for their gifts. Then she taught me the ancient art of creating bracelets, necklaces, and earrings from these sacred beads. She taught me that the traditional art of Navajo beading is a fusion of technique and the spiritual. I daily give thanks to the beauty of my Nali, and I feel her spirit lives on in each piece that I create.

Since those early days, I have expanded my artistic expression to include acrylic-on-canvas, woodworking, leatherwork, and the use of various fabrics. I frequently fuse these techniques to create mixed media works of art.

That said, I feel I am perhaps best known for my beadwork. My creations have merited praise both for their distinctive designs as well as meticulous craftsmanship. My clients report that they receive frequent compliments on the wearable art I have created for them. I’m also told that my pieces will become family heirlooms. That is the grandest praise, and I’m sure makes ShiNali proud.

If you’ve been considering a customized wearable artwork, please contact me and let’s work together to create a piece that is distinctive and uniquely you.

Ahehee, Besh.