Martha Appleleaf Fender was born into San Ildefonso Pueblo in 1950. She was the daughter of Carmelita Vigil Dunlap and Nicholas Cata. She grew up in a pottery-making family and still remembers watching her great-aunts, Desideria Montoya and Maria Martinez, as they made pottery when she was younger. And as much as her mother, Juanita, also made pottery, Martha says it was her father, Carlos Dunlap, who really taught her how to do it herself.

Over the years Martha has experimented with using different techniques and different clays. She made some cream-on-red pots like her uncle and aunt Albert and Josephine Vigil. She made some green-on-red pots, similar to those of another uncle, Tse Pe. She also sometimes let her son, Erik Sunbird Fender, paint her pots.

Some Awards Won by Martha

• 2024 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification IIC, Category 705 - Painted designs on a black or red burnished or polished surface, any form in the style of San Ildefonso, Second Place
• 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II-C, Category 705 - Painted designs on a black or red burnished or polished surface, any form in the style of San Ildefonso, Second Place
• 2018 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division C - Traditional Burnished Black or Red Ware; Incised, Painted or Carved, Category 705 - Painted designs on a black or red burnished or polished surface, any form in the style of San Ildefonso: Second Place
• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division C - Traditional Burnished Black or Red Ware; Incised, Painted or Carved, Category 705 - Painted designs on a black or red burnished or polished surface, any form in the style of San Ildefonso: First Place
• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division C - Traditional Burnished Black or Red Ware; Incised, Painted or Carved, Category 705 - Painted designs on a black or red burnished or polished surface, any form in the style of San Ildefonso: Second Place
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1102 - Bowls: First Place
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1104 - Miscellaneous: First Place
• 2001 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara or San Ildefonso): Best of Division with Erik Fender
• 2001 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara or San Ildefonso), Category 1101 - Jars: First Place with Erik Fender
• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1504 - Jars and vases, painted, other: Third Place
• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara or San Ildefonso), Category 1104 - Wedding vases: First Place
• 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara or San Ildefonso), Category 1101 - Jars: Third Place
• 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara or San Ildefonso), Category 1103 - Bowls: Second Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1101 - Jars: Third Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1103 - Bowls: Third Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1104 - Wedding vases: Second Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Category 1101 - Jars: Third Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara or San Ildefonso), Category 1201 - Jars: Second Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara or San Ildefonso), Category 1201 - Jars: Third Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara or San Ildefonso), Category 1206 - Plates: Second Place with Erik Fender
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara or San Ildefonso), Category 1207 - Miscellaneous: First Place