Marie Jackson learned to make jewelry from her in-laws, Martha and Gene. When she met her husband, Tommy, he had been silversmith for years.

"I watched Martha and Gene making jewelry, and they helped me to get started. Tommy encouraged me, too!" she says.

For years, back when I oversaw the Indian Arts and Crafts Association’s wholesale markets, two of the people I always looked forward to working with were Gene and Martha Jackson. They always had a smile and Martha used to stock her booth with treats. Since I can’t walk by a bowl of candy or snacks without getting personally involved, their booth was one of my favorites.