WHAT DO WE TREASURE?

• Here it is the week end of Thanksgiving. This should be a time for celebrating the abundant bounties of our earth and the blessings we all enjoy. Instead, I received a troubling e-mail this morning from one of my Native friends. It motivated me to write this blog.
• On November 27, 2008, the Western Shoshone gathered in solidarity to oppose the cutting of sacred pinion trees at the spiritual Mount Tenabo in Nevada. The Barrick Gold Company is planning one of the nation’s largest open pit gold mines known as the Cortez Hills Expansion Project on the flank of the mountain. A restraining order has been filed by the tribe and supporters of environmental issues in Reno, NV against the construction of the proposed mine site.
• Unable to wait for the hearing that is scheduled for early next week and the mine's continual slaughter of the pinion forest, the Western Shoshone grandmothers and supporters traveled to the site, demanding Barrick to stop cutting the sacred pinon trees. Barrick Gold employees ignored the Shoshones' demand that they cease cutting. Those gathered witnessed piles of pinion and other trees strewn across the landscape and in the unfenced and now polluted ponds.
• "If people can eat or drink gold to sustain life, maybe we can call it a sacrifice of the life of trees, trees that gives us pine nuts and other medicinal uses," stated Carrie Dann, Western Shoshone grandmother and Executive Director of the Western Shoshone Defense Project.
• The Western Shoshone have lived in the area of Mount Tenabo since the beginning of time. Today it is the homelands to local Shoshones and continues to be the home to Shoshone creation stories, spirit life, medicinal foods and plants as well as a site for spiritual and ceremonial practices. Mount Tenabo is part of the ancestral lands that has been identified and recognized as Western Shoshone territory through the ratification of the Treaty of Ruby Valley between the Western Shoshone and the United States.
  
• "The mining company and the Bureau of Land Management are trespassing on the Western Shoshone treaty land and are destroying our mountains, trees, food, medicine and leaving dirty polluted water ponds that are wide open making it unsafe to the birds and animals. Why doesn't the mining company go dig up the Vatican or the Mormon Tabernacle instead of Western Shoshone lands? I'm sure they will find gold there, because this is what you are doing to our mountains and trees," stated Mary McCloud, another Western Shoshone grandmother.
• As the Shoshone grandmothers witnessed the devastation on their Sacred Mountain, rain began to fall. "The tears of the Mother," said oneGrandmother.
• We should be careful about what we treasure. I think that Chief Seattle said it best:
  

"The earth does not belong to man,
man belongs to the Earth.
This we know.
Man did not weave the web of life,
he is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web,
he does to himself.
All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth,
befalls the children of the Earth."
..............................................................Chief Seattle, 1854

When will it stop? Broken treaties and false promises. What are our values? Is your word not your bond? Is religion and spirituality to be ignored unless it is yours? What do we treasure? Can you eat gold or heal the sick with it? When the land is destroyed, what will we eat? When the water is polluted, what will we drink? What do you treasure? Be careful when you answer this and then protect it with all of your might and give Thanks for it!

A Treasury Full of Fetishes

Fetishes are generally animals and occasionally supernatural spirits each of which helps the Native people. Native Americans believe that the characteristics that live in each of these beings is transferred to the stone or other representation of the being. The resulting fetish then helps the owner possess the traits of that particular fetish. The following is a list of traits demonstrated by specific animals.

• Badger —healers, aggressiveness, perseverance
• Bear —healer, strength, introspection
• Beaver—promotes family unity
• Buffalo—strength, endurance to rise above one’s weaknesses
• Corn Maiden: Growth, fertility, prosperity
• Coyote —ability to laugh at oneself, humor
• Deer—abundance in the natural worldEagle —spirit, a connection to the Divine
• Fox—camouflage, protection
• Frog—fertility, invokes the spirits to bring rain
• Horse—partnerships, stamina, mobility, and strength
• Mole— protector and hunter of the lower region, the underground
• Mountain Lion— leadership, resourcefulness
• Owl—wise, smart, patient
• Ram—male fertility
• Raven—healer
• Snake—a force in life, death and rebirth
• Turtle—longevity, assures rainfall
• Wolf —teacher, pathfinder on the journey of survival

The fetishes included in my treasury are for sale. For your convenience here are the links. Just click and you will be taken to the listing.

1. Horse Fetish Earrings by Moonrose
   http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_20&listing_id=15933134
2. Red Jasper and Turquoise Amulet Back by Cigar Box Beads http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8583357
3. Medicine Bag by AOS Leather
   http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_7&listing_id=17075161
   
4. Leather Fetish by Vicki Diane Designs http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_1&listing_id=17240950
5. Tree Spirit Protector by Awesome Art http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_20&listing_id=10256908
6. Little Black Foot Fetish by Design Studion 54 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_20&listing_id=14790079
7. Zuni Bird Fetish by Coast Mountain Crafts http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_2&listing_id=6654814
8. Pendelton Style Amulet Bag by Deb's Visions http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12091935
9. Zuni Bear Necklace by Nevada Woods. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_18&listing_id=9092540 (Please note that this item sold)
10. Inuit Style Shaman Dancer by Arts Creations http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16766816
11. The Fetish Leather Soap was replaced by Leaping Lizards from Van Fleet Street Design. You can see the piece at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11033799
12. Turtle Totem Bag by Arizona Visions http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_16&listing_id=12249832

I enjoyed making the treasury and hope you will visit all of these artist's stores!

Good Things Come In Three's

November 20, 2008 was a red letter day for me! I had the honor in appearing in three treasuries made by three wonderful Etsy sellers. The Blinded By The Bright treasury above was curated by Midnight Coiler. Lynn was kind enough to include my Native American Panoply Necklace (middle of last row) in her treasury. Midnight Coiler is Lynn Hoyt from North Carolina. Lynn’s specialties are carving gourds by hand and coiled and twined basketry. Each piece is one of a kind, and the ancient techniques employed in gathering, preparation and creation are labor and skill intensive. Lynn grows her own gourds and creates her own rustic stoneware embellishments. You can see Lynn’s wonderful work for yourself at: http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=5570900

The second treasury, above, was curated by Althea P aka Janine Maves.
from Raleigh. She was kind enough to feature my Purple Power bracelet (second row, last item)in her Peel Me A Grape treasury. Janine is a member of Silk Painters International, Surface Design Association, WWAO (Worldwide Women Artists Online), and Wake Visual Arts Association. She belongs to many teams and organizations including BBEST, Freethinkers, Gallery United, Trunkt, and Interior Design Street Teams. Janine has participated in many juried shows for both crafts and art for over 20 years.

She also has a second store on Etsy called Talking Dog. Please visit both of Janine’s stores.
Talking Dog :http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5610886
Althea P : http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5065267

The third treasury was curated by Fantasy Creations. Her treasury, Crazy Beautiful Art, features my beaded barrette (second row, first item). Fantasy Creations is in Portland, Oregon. She designs and sells sewing patterns so you can buy them and make your own stuffed animals. Her listings are for sewing patterns, patterns with eyes (and sometimes plastic noses), and some kits without the stuffing. She has two Etsy stores. In her Fantasy Creations 1 store she sells handcrafted items from detailed bead embroidered pieces to handmade cards and little amulet bags. Please check out both of her stores.
Fantasy Creations: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5713908
Fantasy Creations 1: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5376366

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) my friends for the honor of being in each of your treasuries. Good things do come in three's and you are three of the best!

National Native American Month Treasury

In honor of National Native American Month, I prepared the Treasury above for Etsy. It was a daunting task to make the decisions on what and who to feature. There were over 4,000 items either tagged or titled Native American. One is allowed only 12 selections and 4 alternates for a Treasury.

I want to thank all of my Bbest team mates and others who viewed, clicked, and commented on the Treasury. The comment section filled and the Treasury advanced to page 1 of the "hot" treasuries before expiring in the middle of last night. If you failed to see the Treasury and would like a closer look at the work of these marvelous artists, I am listing the name of their Etsy shops and you can click on each. I will begin at the top left:

Featured Artists:

• Hear Me Oh Great Spirit by Brighton Blue Glass and Art Gallery. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5793948
• Leather and Lace Gourd by Midnight Collier http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5570900
• Bismarck Dream Catcher by Omaha http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6001606
• Smudge Feathers by Runs With Buffalo http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5316126
• Painted Turtle Totem Bag by Leelinau http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=90011
• Lobellia Gourd Mask by Twisted Thicket http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5160383
• Native American Woman Tee Shirt by Dario The Apache Artist http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13573150
• Buffalo Dream ACEO by Talisman Art http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5946322
• 4 Eagles Medicine Wheel by Art Of Spirit Leather Works http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5515734
• Buffalo Children’s Society Drum by Terra Wood Studio http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=18194
• Native American Leather Wrist Cuff by Sirocco http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=60946
• Native American Medicine Man Fringed Pillow by Timberline Treasures http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5616263
• Alternates were:
• Beaded Flames Barrette by NDN Chick http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=13064
• Maiden Indian Amulet Bag by Forbes Farm Gifts http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5251518
• Hand Beaded Key Chain w/Light by Silver Lizard http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5726068
• Pendelton Style Amulet Bag by Deb’s Visions (Bead Lady 61) http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5066275

When looking for wonderful Native American themed items, don't miss any of these wonderful stores. Mvto and Wa-do to all who promoted this treasury and to all of the featured artists for helping to preserve, protect and perpetuate Native American Arts and Crafts!

Bbest Holiday Sale Treasuries

I belong to the Etsy Bbest Team. We are having a holiday sale. This team has many very talented artists and you will want to see their wares! You can read all about the sale and chances to win terrific prizes by going to http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5904785

To promote the sale, several team mates have done some excellent treasuries and I am pleased to be included. The treasury above was done by kittyd. Kittyd is from Camden, North Carolina and she does wonderful jewelry and polymer clay pieces. Kittyd included my barrette (first item on the third row) in her treasury. You can see Kittyd's work at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=23497


Talking dog (AKA Janine) is another of my Etsy Bbest friends. I thank her for her support and for including my Native American Fan Fare Earrings (Center of last row) in her wonderful treasury. Janine is a professional artist who has studied all over US, earned a B.A. in art. She has been a silk painter for over 20 years. Janine's items are made one at a time, by hand making each unique. You can oww and awe over Janine's work by clicking this link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5610886

Zuda Gay did this promotional treasury. She was kind enough to include my Midnight Motiff necklace (First item, bottom row). Zuda is an extremely talented and successful polymer clay artist from central Illinois. I know you will want to visit Zuda's store. You will find her polymer floral pendants irrestible. I have three times! You can find Zuda here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5164311

I am always so thrilled, surprised, and honored to be included in treasuries put together by my talented friends. Mvto and Wa-do, Kittyd, Janine, and Zuda! I hope you have great success during the Bbest Holiday Sale!

Future Treasures

OK, I'll admit it! I lost my head this week! It all started very innocently last Friday afternoon when I was invited to look at beads that a local lady had purchased and was now liquidating. Now, inviting me to look at beads is like inviting an alcoholic to a cocktail party! Maybe even worse as some alcoholics can "just say no"! To paraphrase Will Rogers who said "I never met a man I didn't like".....I don't think I ever met a bead I didn't like! Not only did I buy beads there, when I returned home, I discovered a package full of beads that I had ordered from a Pow Wow vendor. I dumped them all on my dining room table and am waiting for the Design Spirit to come my way! I am going to be very busy when you consider that my bead stash was already considerable. Now I'm going to stop my head from spinning, vow to buy no beads for the rest of 2008, call to my muse and get busy on those future treasures!

Mvto and Wa-do III

Etsy, the place to buy hand made items, has a feature called "Treasuries". If you have followed my blog, you have seen selected Treasuries before. This is my lastest treasury, entitled Mvto and Wa-do III. Since November is National Native American Month, I decided to honor some of my Etsy friends and their wonderful creations as a means of thanking them for their personal and professional support during the last year.

Now, one is limited to 12 spaces and 4 alternate spaces. Thus, it is impossible to thank all of my Etsy friends but I will endeavor to find other means at a later date to express my appreciation.

You are all "treasures" to me! Mvto and Wa-do Bbest friends!

My Newest Treasure: A Gifting by Avalina Tamayo

It is customary for the out-going Pow Wow Princess to have a "gifting" ceremony on the last day of her reign. The 2007-2008 Inter-tribal Pow Wow Princess for the Fort Omaha Pow Wow was Miss Avalina Tamayo. Avalina's Grandmother, Beulah Tamayo, has been my friend, colleague, and source of both support and inspiration for many years.

While doing our usual vending at the Pow Wow this year, I thought I heard my name being called to come to the arena but was sure I was mistaken. So, I continued on with selling my wares when a man came to the booth and told me that they were waiting for me in the arena. I couldn't imagine why! But I quickly found someone to help Patrick man our booth so that I could leave.

Much to my suprise, Avalina, her Grandmother, and Mother were standing there with this wonderful quilt awaiting my arrival. I was in a state of shock to be so honored!

Avalina can be seen in the photo above. She is the one with the number 5 on her regalia. Her grandmother is to the right (in dark glasses) and her mother is draping the quilt over my shoulders. Avalina was also featured on the cover of the flyer for the Pow Wow in her Pow Wow crown and full regalia. Avalina designed her regalia and her father, Steve Tamayo, made it for her.

It is pleasure to even know the Tamayo family let alone be honored by them in this way. I was shocked, humbled, and ever so happy!


Miss Avalina Tamayo, Pow Wow Princess 2007-2008 Fort Omaha Inter-tribal. Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Avalina for this wonderful honor! I will treasure both the quilt and the memory forwever!

A Red Letter Day For The U.S of A !

It doesn't matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat. It doesn't matter if you are red, yellow, black or white. It doesn't matter if you are male or female. It doesn't matter if you are young or old. November 4, 2008 was a history making day for all of us!

Grant Park in Chicago was an awesome sight last night when the President Elect, Barrack Obama, talked to the world. All of those people were jubilant. They were laughing, crying, and most importantly.....waving the American flag.

The photo above is of an Etsy Treasury made by Joonbeam. Joon is a fellow member of the Etsy Bbest team. She included my earrings (first item, third row) in her wonderful Red, White, and Blue Treasury.

Joon has two delightful Etsy stores, Joonbeam:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5399368 and the Flying House Wife:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5820253. Joon has recently moved with her family to Austin, Texas. Joon says, "I love rescuing things, especially if someone else deems them trashworthy. My special affinity is vintage fabrics, notions, trinkets and papers, although I will incorporate any intriguing castaway, regardless of age. I love collage and cobbling things together. I believe that the small stuff does matter. One person can make a difference. And character and environment are everything." Please visit her stores.

I hope you will find Joon, Joon's Treasury and my earrings titled The Eagle Has Landed a fitting tribute to this Red Letter Day for the U.S. of A.!

November: National Native American Month

November is National Native American Month. My son, Patrick and I were invited to exhibit at an art show held by Offut Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE on November 1. Offut sponsers Native events each November. The show was held in the entry of the Base Exchange.

I took this shot of the window as I think it would be interesting to bead a bracelet using this stylized corn design. Always thinking.......

Here I am with trays of beadwork and leaning on one of Patrick's raccoon head walking sticks.

Patrick with a display of selected Native Art. On the far right are turtle rattles, fur bags, one of his gourd shakers, alligator claw necklaces and various other native crafts. On his left is a better shot of the raccoon head stick.

This is our great friend, Judy Crouch. Judy is a talented artist that paints native themed items on feathers. While she is not native by blood, she is native in spirit. Her paintings are award winning and get the full and undivided attention of the public where ever she exhibits. We always enjoy being located next to Judy at shows!

This is a fellow Oklahoma transplant to Omaha. She is Alpha Marie Goombi. She and her husband are ministers and she is currently running for the Nebraska Learning Community Coordinating Council. This was our first encounter. However, it turns out that she is the niece of Robert Redbird. He is the famous Kiowa artist whose work we have collected for years. The work in front of Alpha is that of Robert Redbird, Jr (son). The wonderful ceramic horse piece was done by Alpha Marie. We had a great visit and shared our common interest in the works of Enoch Kelly Haney, Acee Blue Eagle and Woody Crumbo as well as that of the Redbird family.

We caught Dennis Beckman knapping! He demonstrated knapping arrowheads during the show. We had not met Dennis prior to this event. But look forward to seeing him in the future. While this was not a "selling" event, I did manage to make "arrangements" to purchase a wonderful Brazilian agate arrow head from him. Perhaps it will be incorporated into a piece of jewelry some day....or maybe I will just continue to enjoy handling and viewing it as it is. Only the Spirit knows!

A display of very old arrow heads from the Bellevue Historical Society was available.

It was a fun exhibit. It is always great to see old friends and meet new ones at these events. There is a lot of talent in the Heartlands and thank you to Offut Air Force Base for allowing us to come together each November!