Bringing Spirit into Form

I spent one year learning from a dear friend the art of traditional beadwork. My friend beads Regalia for herself as a dancer and for her family and loved ones for sacred ceremonies. During the first year of learning I worked to develop technique and continued to perfect my technique over the next four years.

Beadwork has been a long desired addition to my creative process in making medicine.

My pieces have evolved over time and I am grateful to have documented the early pieces. This photo shoot represents my earliest work.

Rosettes are beaded onto a heavy artist canvas and then transferred to leather or cork (for vegan option). Each piece begins with the center bead and the design unfolds as the piece is being created. Every piece is one-of-a kind because the vision unfolds as the piece is beaded. Rosettes are created as:
* Single Rosette Medallion
* Multiple Rosette Medallions
* To adorn Mocassin
* To be worn as Hair Tie or on Headband
* To adorn Medicine Bags

Rosettes are beaded onto a heavy artist canvas and then finished by a skilled Leather Worker. Each piece begins with the center bead and the design unfolds as the piece is being created. Every piece is one-of-a kind because the vision unfolds as the piece is beaded. Rosettes are created as:
* Single Rosette Medallion
* Multiple Rosette Medallions
* Belt Buckles
* To adorn Mocassin
* To be worn as Hair Tie or on Headband
* To adorn Medicine Bags

Rosettes are beaded onto a heavy artist canvas and then made into a buckle by a skilled Leather Worker. The buckles are made to fit 1 1/2” Snap Belt Strap.

* The Belt is purchased by the customer prior to me making the buckle so that we can closely match the leather of the buckle with the belt.
* The size of the belt needs to be determined by the customer using their waist size and working with the company they are purchasing from to find the correct size.

As with all of my Rosettes, each piece begins with the center bead and the design unfolds as the piece is being created. Every piece is one-of-a kind because the vision unfolds as the piece is beaded.

I love beading creative and beautiful statement pieces. The love and prayer that each one is created with can be felt by the person wearing or displaying the piece. Although they look fragile almost every bead, to every-other-bead is tacked down and secured onto canvas.

As the beads are sewn prayers are being thought, sung and spoken. Because of this, people can feel the special nature of the Beadwork when they see it. Some say each piece has a story, some say they feel protected when wearing the beadwork. I believe it's not only the beauty of the beadwork but the spiritual nature about it that draws people to wanting to know more about them when they're being worn and displayed. They carry the mystical quality of Creator, Great Spirit.

I love beading baby Moccasins! I bead infant-toddler size moccasins and create Rosettes to be added to already made adult size moccasins. The moccasins are made of soft Elk Skin.

The leather stretches as the child grows. They are soft and comfortable and children love that they can slip them on themselves!

Feathers are sacred to the Native American culture and ceremonies. Birds fly close to the Great Mystery and feathers are used to carry our messages, prayers and for smudging and cleansing. The designs for each beaded feather like the Rosettes, unfold as the beadwork is being created. Each feather is one-of-a-kind.

These beautiful Turkey Feathers are harvested on land that was once inhabited by the Wappo and Pomo people in Nothern California. For every feather taken, a gift is left behind.

A dear friend of mine who is a silversmith shared a vision with me to combine our craft and create beautiful pieces that symbolize the different Chakras (energy centers) in the body. I have practiced yoga since 1999 and combining my beadwork with the chakra symbols speaks to the Yogi inside me. These photos represent some of the pieces we created together.

The silver work is done by Jennifer Klein, the owner of NightBird Jewelry.

Beading is a prayerful and meditative process for me. Each piece is lovingly handcrafted in a ceremonial way. The beadwork begins with a bundle of sage, a piece of canvas, thread and a needle. The color beads are chosen and the center bead stitched. The vision unfolds as the beads are woven. The finished piece is a combination of love and prayers.

Rosettes are beaded onto a heavy artist canvas and then transferred to leather or cork (for vegan option)

I love participating in art shows. Being surrounded by other artists is truly inspiring. These photos represent some of the booths created for previous shows done in both California and New Mexico.

I love adorning beautiful bones with beadwork! From skulls to antlers and other types of bones I love creating with bone.

Soft Deer Skin available in many colors is first saved and cleansed and prayed for in ceremony. Each bag is one-of-a kind and customer orders are taken. Medicine Bags may be adorned with Rosettes, Bone Hairpipe, Glass Beads, Deer Antler Buttons and more..

Elk Hide Native Style Drums 16” handmade to sound absolutely beautiful!