Meet Alicia Clouser: Artist, Researcher, and Proud Navajo Beader
Alicia Clouser is a proud member of the Navajo Nation from Flagstaff, Arizona, whose passion for beadwork began at just eight years old. Inspired and taught by her mother, Alicia learned to create beaded necklaces before expanding her skills to earrings during middle school. Today, she specializes in handcrafted jewelry featuring freshwater pearls, mother-of-pearl, turquoise, and traditional bird beads.
Beadwork is more than an art form for Alicia—it is a way to celebrate culture, creativity, and tradition. Her journey started with supplies purchased from Thunderbird Supply, a business located near her childhood home, and has grown into a meaningful creative practice she proudly shares with others.
Beyond her artistry, Alicia is a junior at the University of New Mexico studying Environmental Science and Native American Studies. She is currently an undergraduate researcher with the UNM Metals Exposure and Toxicity Assessment on Tribal Lands in the Southwest (UNM METALS) Superfund Research Program Center, where she helps assess air quality near Laguna Pueblo's historic uranium mining sites.
Alicia hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and become a professor at a Research 1 institution, supporting and inspiring future generations of Indigenous students in STEM. Through both her research and beadwork, she remains committed to uplifting Native communities and honoring her Navajo heritage.
To follow Alicia's work, connect with her on Instagram, where she shares her latest creations and accepts inquiries about available pieces.
Follow her on social media:
Instagram: @alicia_beading
