Ernest Bilagody was born in Tuba City, Arizona to the Red House, Big Water Clan. His grandparents are from the Around the House Clan and the Bitter Water Clan. He’s been silversmithing for about 35 years, since the mid 1970’s. His mother started him out with buffing the earrings she made. Then from there she gave him other duties, such as soldering things for her. With this beginning, Ernest started making his own jewelry and has been ever since. He has worked out of his own home and worked for various traders. Along the way he has met many other silver and goldsmiths, and they have shared stories about the metals, turquoises and other materials they use.