Born into Cochiti Pueblo in 1944, Martha Arquero is the daughter of Damacia and Santiago Cordero. After learning the traditional way to make pottery from her mother, Martha began producing handmade clay sculptures in the form of traditional storytellers, nativity sets with angels and baby lambs, finely made jars and large figures. She is most popular for her frog storytellers and her whimsical mermaids.

At the 1984 Santa Fe Indian Market Martha earned First and Second Place ribbons for two of her pieces.

Martha's early pieces were unsigned but later she began signing Martha Arquero, Cochiti. Her two sisters, Josephine Arquero and Marie Laweka, also made pottery.

Damacia was Santiago's second wife. His first wife was Lorenza Cordero, mother of Helen Cordero and grandmother of Felecita Eustace, Ada Suina, Snowflake Flower, George Cordero and Toni Suina.