My name is Tyra D. Preston. I am Manygoats, born for the Mexican clan. My maternal grandparents are Salt and my paternal grandparents are German descent. I am a 5th generation weaver from Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. I currently reside in Teec Nos Pos with my family. My husband Shane, my daughter Autumn and my son Kholte.
Being inspired at the age of 7 years old, by my grandmother Mary K. Clah (Shima), she introduced me to the beauty of weaving, it's teachings of the traditional lifeways and the importance of preserving that tradition. I first took interest in weaving at our sheep camp; which is located on top of Carrizo Mountain, at the young age of 7 years old. I also remember watching my great grandmother, Elizabeth Kady Begay weaving at her loom. I was so eager to learn how to weave, I told her that one-day, "I wanted to weave like her and Shima". Without any hesitation she quickly gathered her tools and began showing me how to weave. Working patiently every day I completed my first rug by the end of summer. After the summer was over it was back to school and every year after that I looked forward to weaving. After completing High School I decided to further my education and I did so in Kansas. Completing one year there I headed back home to T'iis. Taking a break from school I began with my weaving once again. I completed a few more rugs over the years and the designs became more advanced.
I have also been inspired greatly by my mentor and uncle, Mr. Roy Kady, a master weaver that is renown through out. Through his different techniques and styles I have been able to expand my creative styles and colors. Weaving various rugs and experimenting with different styles I am learning the true value of wool and it's qualities. Also I help in raising the original Navajo Churro Sheep that Roy has re-introduced into the flock about 3-4 years ago. I'm learning that the fibers of the Churro is more durable and lustrous and adds value to the pieces woven from those fibers.
Roy told me that "In the beginning the Dine People saw an animal so scared", that it represented "Life", and "One day this animal would come to them, by a holy person.". So they wrote songs and included them into their ceremonies, they carved stone figurines and carried them in their pollen bags and with that, it was said that the Dine' will always prosper and endure on this earth in beauty.
Some of my weaving repertoire includes the Two Grey Hills, Crystal, Wide Ruins, Multi-pattern Chief rugs, Pictorial "WELCOME" rugs and other inspired designs of my surroundings. I also started learning how to weave the Horse Cinches that my great grand father used to weave, under my uncle Roy's directions. My color palettes include commercial dyed and vegetal dyed yarns of multitudes of colors. I have enjoyed making these rugs and will continue to make more. I hope you enjoy my art and see the beauty from within. Ahéhee.
If you would like to discuss an order or would like to purchase a weaving from me, please feel free to call me at 505-994-2601 or email me at tyra_ahtlo@dinewoven.com . I can either send you a photo of the weaving I have for sale or we can discuss a custom order piece.
"Tyra Ahtlo" means, "Tyra is weaving", may you always walk in beauty, with beauty all around you, may there also be PEACE, LOVE, HARMONY and BEAUTINESS this day forward.
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Click on thumbnails to see larger picture.
Samples of some of my weavings.
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