Lester James (Navajo)

Navajo silversmith Lester James learned the basics of silverwork (soldering and buffing) from his aunt who did silver beadwork. She paid him well for helping her.

When he graduated high school, the Nugget Gallery hired him and that was where he would learn inlaying. When he was hired at the Nugget Gallery, Ervin Tsosie, Wilbert Manning and his brother Wilson Manning were working there. Lester watched them and would practice inlaying at home. Eventually, he started getting a few pieces to inlay at work.

Another silversmith at the Nugget, Herman Hoskie, would also give him advice.

After ten years at the Gallery, Lester decided to go out on his own. He met Aaron Anderson in 2009 and started working in his shop. It was Aaron who taught him the art of tufa casting.

Lester has collaborated with Melvin Francis, Aaron Anderson and other prominent silversmiths.