Treasures, Treasuries, and Thoughts

I swore I would never do a blog! So much for swearing. I didn't think that I would have much to say or share. I was wrong! I have been so blessed with a wonderful family, loyal friends, sharing colleagues, and the support from so many that I will never run out of topics to write about.

I have opened an on-line store at a place called Etsy (rhymes with Betsy). The items on the left are available for purchase there. These will change from week to week to show you my latest creations. The link to the store is in the upper left corner of this page.

I also have items for sale listed on Art Fire. The link to my Art Fire Studio is http://www.jstinson.artfire.com/

I hope you will visit this blog, my Flickr page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jstinson/2500402289/) and my Etsy and/or Art Fire stores often. (http://www.jstinson.etsy.com/ http://www.jstinson.artfire.com


So come along on my Trail of Treasures! It will be a Spirit Journey for me and I invite you to join me on the trip.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

In My Native Homeland...NDN Country



In My Native Homeland...NDN Country is the title of this wonderful collection of Native American Art currently appearing in a Treasury on Etsy. The curator of this collection is Northern Lodge. I hope you will enjoy viewing these pieces as much as I did.

I call your attention to the first piece on the left of the bottom row. It is featured in my Etsy store but was done by friend and collective member, Donel Keeler. This piece, Lakota Wedding, was a timely for me as I have just returned from my niece's wedding.

For her wedding, I beaded Marriage Feathers and did a Native Ceremony following the traditional wedding ceremony. I haven't downloaded photos of the wedding but will do so in the near future.

I want to thank Northern Lodge for this feature. The owner of Northern Lodge is from Colorado and is a Biologist, animal lover, gardener, bird watching, fishing woman, who also loves to canoe, hike, read, sew, and be creative.

Her store on Etsy is a delightful mixture of fiber arts, vintage pieces and even beaded umbilical cord amulets. Here is one of her beaded umbilical cord amulets. Visit her at http://www.northernlodge.etsy.com/




Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Northern Lodge for featuring the Lakota Wedding in your wonderful treasury!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Native Artist: Donel Keeler

'Native

This wonderful print is of an original painting done by the award winning Native (Dakota)artist, Donel Keeler. It features a "stampede" of ponies painted in the traditional Native American stylized form.

This colorful print is done in shades of blue, fushia, gold, and burnt umbre. It was done in Donel's signature fashion....on a sheet of columnar analysis pad paper. This use of materials at hand is the Native way! We use what we have to create beauty.

The print is dry mounted on a gold mat and is ready to frame. It is 12" X 16".

This will be a wonderful addition to the collector of Native American art, horse lovers, or anyone who admires clean lines and colorful art. It is available in both my Etsy and Artfire Stores. http://www.jstinson.etsy.com http://www.jstinson.artfire.com

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing. (via jstinson)

Monday, June 1, 2009

New Listing on Etsy and Artfire

Native American Beaded Bracelet Teal and Orange Prairie Rose Cuff

This striking teal,orange,and yellow bracelet in my Prairie Rose design was made on my trusty loom. It features an sparkling orange flower with a yellow and crystal center.

The beaded portion of the bracelet is 6 1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. The silver plated chain and lobster claw clasp make the bracelet adjustable to fit wrists up to 9 inches.

If you like the design but would prefer it in other colors, I have similar ones posted on this site or you can contact me with your specific interests. I would be happy to loom one just for you.

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Custom Pendant



Not long ago, I was contacted by a very nice lady who had a pair of native american earrings. She wanted a pendant to match them. After several e-mails, we determined that the best way to approach the situation was for her to send me one of the earrings.

It is often difficult to match the work done by someone else even if you are able to locate the beads. Exact matches are usually not possible. Even dye lots from one batch of the same beads differ from one another. So, I had no idea what I problems that I would face.

She also wanted the pendant to be larger than the earrings. This gets into another set of problems. How do you replicate the original design but enlarge it?

She did not want a necklace, only the pendant. She will be able to change the necklace portion with leather, ribbon, or cord depending on her mood and her apparell.

Next problem. A pair of earrings that one has had for several years will be dulled somewhat due to sunlight, wear, etc. New beads will be brighter.

The pendant is finished and is about as close as I could make it. I just sent the photo off to her and am waiting to hear back. I hope she likes it!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

New Listing



This striking black and AB (auroa borealis) white bracelet was made on my trusty loom. It has a somewhat "art deco" feel.

The beaded portion of the bracelet is 6 1/2 inches long and 1 1/8 inches wide. The silver plated chain and lobster claw clasp make the bracelet adjustable to fit wrists up to 9 inches.

If you like the design but would prefer it in other colors, I have similar ones posted on this site or you can contact me with your specific interests. I would be happy to loom one just for you.

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Pink Fan Fare Earrings: New Etsy and Artfire Listing



I was requested by one of my customers to make these earrings in pink for her daughter's upcoming birthday. While I had the beads out, I decided to make and list a second pair in my Etsy ( http://www.jstinson.etsy.com ) and Artfire ( http://www.jstinson.artfire.com ) stores.

These have been made in a variety of colors and I would be happy to custom make a pair for you in any color you choose. Many of my customers have become a fan of these Fan Fare earrings and have them in several colors! Let me know what you think!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Uncle Sam Wants You Earrings



I had the good fortune of selling a pair of these earrings to one of my faithful returning customers this morning. I decided to re-list them in my Etsy and my Artfire stores. http://www.jstinson.etsy.com and htpp://www.jstinson.artfire.com

These cute earrings were done initally as a group project at my monthly beading club, the Omaha Beady Bunch. http://www.beadybunch.org

The design is by Angela Womach and permission to reproduce was generously granted by Rings and Things. http://www.rings-things.com

Uncle Sam, sporting his traditional red, white, and blue hat, is reminescent of the posters used during World War II for recruitment. It is a timeless image.

The earrings are made in brick stitch of seed beads. The earrings measure 1 1/2 inches. The gold hypoallergenic earwire adds an additional 1/2 inch to the total drop. The width is just short of 1 inch at the widest point.

These earrings are cute, fun and patriotic! And I Want You to check them out!

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing.