Helen was from San Ildefonso Pueblo and married into Santa Clara Pueblo. Consequently her daughters are half each but were raised at Santa Clara. After her marriage, Helen continued to pot in the traditional San Ildefonso style and always signed her pottery "San Ildefonso."

Her daughters continue to do the same, both to reflect their heritage, and the fact that their pottery is classic San Ildefonso style. Carol, and her sister Kathy Gutierrez, work together on their pottery but sign individually. It is impossible to tell their work apart. Carol works full-time at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Like many with San Ildefonso ancestry Carol is rather distantly related to Maria Martinez. More closely, her uncle was the famed painter (and occasional potter) Gilbert Atencio.