Always using her Indian name, Snowflake Flower (Stephanie Rhoades) is a great potter and award winner, featured in “The Pueblo Storyteller” book by Barbara Babcock. Here is an exceptional Nacimiento (Nativity Scene) featuring 7 pieces, all in native dress.

Snow Flake Flower makes storyteller figurines and nacimientos that exude an air of nobility, yet feature a feeling of pueblo life as well. In this nacimiento, the animation of the figures makes them appear almost life-like. The angel has her hand pointing as if making a statement or singing and Joseph is doing the same. Mary has her hands clasped as if in prayer, as does the cow that is lying down with its front feet held together.

Snow Flake Flower is a sister of Ada Suina. She was partially self-taught with help from potter Mary Martin, also of Cochiti Pueblo.

Recommended Reading: Nacimientos - Nativity Scenes by Southwest Indian Artisans (click here to view details of book) by Doris Monthan, et al. (A limited number of this out-of-print book is available at Adobe Gallery).