The Intergenerational Weavers of the Teller-Pete-Ornelas Family

Intergenerational Weavers: The Teller-Pete-Ornelas Family

The Teller-Pete-Ornelas family is famously known around the world for their incredible wool textiles. Their family’s one-of-a-kind works are typically purchased off the loom before they are even finished. Sisters Lynda Teller Pete and Barbara Teller Ornelas are fifth-generation Master Navajo Tapestry Weavers and accomplished artists, teachers, and authors. Taught to weave by their mother Ruth Teller, they have passed on this weaving tradition to sixth-generation weaver, Michael Teller Ornelas, the son of Barbara and nephew of Lynda.

Spider Woman Wool Blanket by Lynda Teller Pete. Read more about Lynda here

Eighth Generation is proud to collaborate with all three of the family’s weavers on a collection of special blankets. A part of our North Winds Collection, the Teller-Pete-Ornelas family's designs are now available to a much wider audience. "We're honored to be part of the Teller-Pete-Ornelas family's weaving tradition," says Eighth Generation CEO Colleen Echohawk (Pawnee, Athabascan). "Native art belongs in every home in America, and Eighth Generation makes that possible with every blanket we make." In early 2024, we launched our Spider Woman Wool Blanket designed by Lynda Teller Pete—the first in this family series. We are excited to finally introduce the second blanket in this series, our Digital Phase Wool Blanket designed by Michael Teller Ornelas.

Into the Digital Phase

Digital Phase Wool Blanket by Michael Teller Ornelas

Michael’s Digital Phase Wool Blanket beautifully mixes tradition with technology. Here, he combines ancient weaving symbols with contemporary digital design. "This blanket combines and synthesizes traditional Navajo designs and modern video game pixel philosophy," says Michael. His design is reminiscent of the low-poly video game graphics of the 80s and 90s, with blocks of color crisscrossing the blanket. The name—Digital Phase—is a nod to the phases of Navajo chief blankets and our modern era. "This blanket is a riff on the first, second, and third phases of Navajo blankets," shares Michael, who also honors the global digital era we currently inhabit. “To exist in the digital phase is to exist in a state of overwhelming information and to find harmony within that, to filter through and find the correct paths to maintain balance,” and he brings that balance into this beautiful blanket. Our Digital Phase Wool Blanket is perfect for the video game enthusiast in your life or the person who loves wearable contemporary art.

Sixth-Generation Weaver Michael Teller Ornelas

“Iron Man Red Rug” design by Michael Teller Ornelas

Iron Man from “Iron Man Omnibus” that inspired Michael’s red rug design

Sixth-generation weaver Michael Teller Ornelas first began weaving at just two years old. He grew up watching his mother, Barbara, weave in her workroom. When she began teaching his sister how to weave, he asked to be taught as well, and took up weaving naturally. Being a sixth-generation weaver carries a lot of importance for Michael, and he hopes to continue that family tradition with the next generation.

To be a sixth-generation weaver means we can trace my family’s weaving history back six generations. It’s been passed down from mother to daughter and then to me. I plan to keep the tradition alive by teaching my nephews so they become seventh-generation weavers alongside Roxy Lee, my niece, who is being taught by my mother and aunt.

As an artist, Michael beautifully merges the traditions of Navajo weaving and contemporary influences into one seamless design. His work is often influenced by modern pop culture like Marvel Superheroes, pixel art video games, and other forms of technology.

Usually only afterwards do I realize what my art has been inspired by. My favorite story is this one time when I read through these Iron Man Omnibus books that were 100 issues of classic Iron Man comics. Then I designed my Iron Man Red rug design and it was only when I was asked to do a presentation on my influences that I realized those Omnibuses directly influenced my designs.

Weaving Past and Present

Eighth Generation is honored to share the Teller-Pete-Ornelas family’s designs with a global audience. Shop our Spider Woman Wool blanket and Digital Phase Wool Blanket now, and be sure to check back for sneak peeks of Barbara Teller-Ornelas’ wool blanket, coming in fall, 2025!