About Me

Jaycee Custer is a third-generation Diné (Navajo) silversmith whose work bridges heritage and modern identity. Drawing from the teachings of his people and the landscapes of his upbringing, he creates contemporary Indigenous jewelry that reflects the realities of today’s urban Native experience—bold, evolving, and still deeply rooted in tradition.

His pieces have been featured at major cultural institutions and events such as the Heard Museum, the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Ohi

ö’ Art Market, and the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts—bringing Diné artistry into prominent creative spaces across the region.

Custer describes his work as a balance between two worlds:

“In my work specifically I try to balance my traditional upbringing with the urban society that we are constantly submerged in… I try to find a harmony between them… kind of has both elements, the past and future.”

Having grown up watching his father practice silversmithing, that connection continues to shape his creative process. For him, making jewelry is more than craft—it’s a meditative, grounding experience:

“My favorite part about making jewelry is the concentration part of it… I find peace when I’m just like super into my work… a space where nothing else matters.”

His work stands as a living expression of cultural continuity—honoring Diné traditions while evolving them into forms that speak to present-day Indigenous identity.