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!

TALE OF THREE TREASURIES

Who Loves Jewelry....obviously I do and I bet you do too! This wonderful jewelry Treasury was done by Chauncey last month. My apologies for the delay in posting it to this blog. I was thrilled that Chaucey elected to include my carneliean bracelet (bottom row, middle item) in her collection.


Chauncey’s real name is Eileen and she hails from Philly. While Chauncey is a talented multi-media artist, she says that glass is her " #1 passion".

That really surprised me as I thought her #1 passion was chocolate making glass #2. We often chat in the Etsy forum and if Chauncey is in the room, chocolate will be mentioned pretty quickly! Chauncey’s glass pendants are spectacular! She does a lot of themed and personalized pendants. You may find a perfect one for yourself or a gift. Just check out Chauncey’s store at http://www.chauncey.etsy.com/. You will be pleased that you did.

This beautiful Treasury was done by Birose. I was thrilled that she included my Native American Picasso (second row, last item) necklace in her "Red and Turquoise" themed treasury. Don't you agree that these two colors have a natural affinity for one another?

Birose’s name is actually Rose. Birose comes from Big Island Rose Designs.
Rose was born in South Dakota, lived a long time in California and now resides in Hawaii…Big Island!

She creates wonderful pieces from buttons ,fabric and her trusty sewing machine. She uses Yo-yo’s and buttons in ways you can’t imagination. You will just have to see for yourself at http://www.birose.etsy.com/ !

This "Power of the Word" Treasury was done by Judy of JNOriginals. I am honored that she included my beaded pen, Old Glory (last item in the second row) in her tribute. Judy believes in the power of the word as is evident in her Forum postings and her blog.

If jnoriginals rings a bell, it is because I have written about her in previous blogs.
While we have yet to meet in person, Judy is almost a neighbor as she lives in Iowa! Judy does nifty needlework. She does wonderful felted wool items and a large variety of versatile needlework creations. Judy is one of those people who is a life long learner. She is always daring to try something new! Judy is a treasure trove of great ideas. You will want to see her work at http://www.jnoriginals.etsy.com/.

Mvto and Wa-do to Chauncey, Birose, and JNOriginals for honoring me in your wonderful Treasuries!

Beads On One String

Last Thursday afternoon, my son, Patrick, and I attended this performace Celebrating Cuture and Tradition Through Music and Story. We were motivated to attend not only due to our interest but also because Sheila Rocha, Native storyteller (pictured on your right above) and our friend was one of the featured artists. We know Sheila as a producer of Native theater performances and our encounters over many years at various Pow Wows.
Dennis Warner, Folk musician from Minnesota, has performed in venues from grade schools to the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. He set the stage for the performance with his song and book, Beads On One String. If you usually purchase books for your children or grandchildren during the holiday season, let me highly recommend this one!
Beads on One String illustrates that while we are different, we are all connected by a common thread like beads on one string.

The sheet music for Dennis' song is on the book inside cover and a CD of the song comes with the book.

Dennis set the stage for this performance with his wonderful music, wit, and good humor.

Rita Pakowitz, Jewish Storyteller, tantalized us with her story about the Rainbow People and how you can become one by doing simple good deeds. She convinced us that if you do deeds of kindness, you may be the one who saves the world from being destroyed by a chocolate pudding filled astroid!

Idu Maduli, Black Story Actor, told the story of four black women in Omaha who grew up in the projects and went on to accomplish wonderful cultural and environmental feats.

Our friend, Sheila Rocha, Native Storyteller, related a fascinating story about her multi-cultural upbringing.

The concept of beads on one string is so strong that the Girl Scouts now have a Beads On One String merit badge and a project for elementary schools has been developed. You can bring this special project to your school. If interested, learn more at http://www.warnersongs.com/. We enjoyed the performance immensely and were reminded that we really are all beads on one string!

Olivia's First Class Cake

She squeezes sea shells done by the cake base.

I Think I've Got It
I Know I've Got It!
Wa-La, I'm Finished With My FIRST CLASS CAKE!

Wishing You Rainbows!

My grandchildren, like many, are blessed with so many things. Lots of clothes, books, iPods, knick knacks,games and doo-dads! When it came time for Olivia's tenth birthday, I decided to give her a gift that would last a life time. She loves sweets and has always loved to play in the kitchen. So, I enrolled both of us in an adult cake decorating class knowing that she could handle it. Not only is she learning new skills but we have quality one on one time together.
I pick her up at school each Monday afternoon, we go some place for dinner and then make it to our 6:30 class. We have completed the first portion of the program and have two more lessons to go.

The instructor over-planned our last session and we had to return to my house for Olivia to complete her FIRST CLASS CAKE. We didn't want her family to see a work in progress but rather a finished accomplishment.

Now, Olivia is on the road to many fun times armed with a new creative skill and I will treasure the memories of our time together forever. Like Olivia's First Class Cake, we both wish you "Rainbows"!

Buyers Be Aware!

Buyers be aware that you are one of the greatest treasures of all! I so appreciate all of you who have purchased my work! In the interest of privacy, none will be identified but you know who you are.

All of the items that I had previously featured on my blog page have been sold! My Etsy customers, Pow Wow followers, and those who have purchased from me in other venues, MVTO and WA-DO!!! That is thank you in Creek and Cherokee and can't be said enough times to show my excitement when you support my work.

I have added new items to the front page of the blog. I hope you enjoy viewing them and may be stimulated to make them your own! BUYERS BE AWARE that you validate my work, give me the great pleasure of pleasing you, and the stimulation I need to keep beading. You are among my truest treasures!