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!

Two New Treasury Features

First, let me say Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) to all of those who have included my items in your Treasuries during the summer. I truly appreciate it although I am woefully behind in adding them all to this blog! This morning, I determined that as well intentioned as I may be, back tracking to add them is just not going to happen soon. So, I am moving forward and will, in time, reflect back.



This morning I was honored to be included in the Treasury shown above which was curated by Mystic Silk. Mystic Silk is very special to me because when I was very new to selling on Etsy, Klaire, the owner of Mystic Silk, was the first person to put one of my items in a Treasury. I will never forget that!


Klaire included my Purple Haze bracelet in her current treasury. It is pictured in the center shot of the second row.


Klaire lives in Warren, Ohio. She describes her store as offering unique items of silk art. Her art is not only beautiful, it is usually functional as well. She makes gorgeous silk paintings, scarves and pillows. Her art work can not be duplicated not even by Klaire! So, each of her items is truly ONE of A KIND. To see the beauty of Klaire's work for yourself, visit her store at http://www.mysticsilks.etsy.com/. Mvto and Wa-do Klaire!




This wonderful treasury of turquoise was done by one of my Bbest friends on Etsy. Judy of Jnoriginals and I both belong to the Bbest street team and frequently have the opportunity to chat on line. She doesn't live too far away from me. Her store is in Urbandale, IA (a suburb of Des Moines).


She was kind enough to feature my "Turquoise On Ice" bracelet. It can be viewed on the third row, right in the photo above.


Judy is a thread artist…she sews, knits, and crochets. She makes wonderful felted wool bags, crocheted scarves, coffee cup jackets, coasters, napkin rings and more. You will want to visit Judy’s store at: http://www.jnoriginals.etsy.com/.

Again, Mvto and Wa-do to Klaire and Judy for featuring my items in their wonderful treasuries.

The 204th Annual Omaha Tribal Pow Wow

The 204th Annual Omaha Tribal Pow Wow was held on the Omaha Reservation in Macy, Nebraska on July 29, 30, August 1 and 2, 2008. Here it is, one month later and I'm just now getting around to including the event in my blog! Patrick and I participated in the event as vendors. It was our first time at this Pow Wow. It was an experience we will never forget!

This is reputed to be the oldest of all Pow Wows. It had special significance for me as my uncle, George Walker, was Superintendent of Schools on this reservation for many years. My three cousins grew up at Macy. Being there reminded me of all of my "Uncle Bud's" many kindnesses to me when I was growing up. I wish he were still with us so I could tell him first hand about this experience.

This Pow Wow is all about the dancing! Over 400 talented dancers performed during the Pow Wow and competed for the very lucrative prize money. Fortunately, our booth was near the arena so I got to peek in from time time. Unfortunately, I didn't get any good photographs due to the lights and the motion.

Meet Jaylene. When we setting up, this young lady came over and introduced herself. She is 12 and attends school on the Omaha Reservation. She appointed herself as my assistant. During the event, she dropped by often to straighten anything that appeared out of place on our table, ran errands, and kept us current as to what was going on. She is very bright, inquisitive, polite, and was a big help!

Meet Feather. Feather is Jaylene's baby sister. When Jaylene was not helping me, she was babysitting her little sister. Feather was so tickled that I couldn't get a good shot of her as would not stay still.

This is a young Omaha girl whose family purchased one of my barrettes to add to her new regalia. She is pleased to model it for you!

This is a Jingle dress. Jingles are round metal discs that are shaped into cones. These are attached to the regalia of little girls and women. There are special dances for Jingle Dancers at all Pow Wows. When they move, the motion causes the jingles to jingle. It is truly amazing to see an arena full of Jingle Dancers.

This young lady came to see the Pow Wow and purchased a pair of my Fan Fare earrings as a momento of her Pow Wow experience. She consented to modeling them for me.

This event began on Thursday evening. On Friday, it began at noon and the dancing continued until 3:00 a.m. Saturday! We didn't begin to put away our wares until 2:00. Patrick and I were staying at the Winnevegas Inn, 15 miles away, and didn't get to our room until 3:00. That is a record breaking day of vending for us....15 hours straight! On Saturday, the Pow Wow started again at noon and we left around 1:00 a.m. and felt like it was a short day....LOL! After all, it was only 13 hours! Sunday we left around 9:00 p.m. and returned to Omaha exhausted!

Maybe we will recover in time for the 205th Annual Omaha Pow Wow!

Lincoln Indian Club's 32 Annual Pow Wow 2008

Tom Frenchman II: Dancer and Artist

New Lime Green Jingle Dress

On August 1, 2, 3, 4, 2008, Patrick (son) and I vended at the 32nd Annual Lincoln Indian Club's Pow Wow in Lincoln, NE. Despite the 100 degree weather, we had a marvelous time! Our "Pow Wow Trail" is always exciting as we not only get to share, and hopefully sell, our wares, we get to see old friends and make new ones! This year was no exception.

FEATHER CEREMONY

The little girl in these pictures is wearing her brand new lime green regalia. She worked hard all year to earn a feather and be honored in this year's Feather Ceremony. Members of the family sew new regalia. In this case, they made an appliqued "jingle" dress. She still needed an additional piece and what an honor it was for me, that she and her mother selected one of my barrettes to hold her feather once awarded. Her Uncle John came to the booth after the selection was made to purchase the barrette as his gift to honor her achievement.

My Barrette Selected For Her Regalia

She is one of several young girls that purchased my beaded items to wear during their Feather Ceremonies. The Feather Ceremony is held for young girls and following their ceremony they have earned the right to enter the "circle" for the rest of their lives.

As a beadweaver, this is such a priviledge.

As a daydreamer, who knows, maybe my work will be worn by their children and/or grandchildren long after I have departed this plane. There is no reward greater than for a fellow Native to feel that I have woven just the right piece to add to their regalia!

That Fringe Will Swish and Sway When I Jingle Dance

After today, I will always be welcomed into the "circle"


OLD FRIENDS

This is Mike Scheiblhofer. We have watched him dance at Pow Wows for many years. His wonderful regalia always catches your eye. All of that excellent bead embroidery in his regalia was designed and beaded by him! You may say, "he doesn't look Indian and his name sure doesn't sound Indian", and you would be partially correct.

Mike was adopted by the Omaha Tribe when he was 12 years old. His love for the Omaha culture and tribe is probably greater than many of those with true blood lines. Mike is an excellent dancer and a fine young man.

Howard Miscee, Omaha Tribe Dancer

NEW FRIENDS

Our new friend, Howard Miscee, is a frequent dancer on the Pow Wow circuit but prior to this Pow Wow we had not had the pleasure of spending time with him. Since Howard lives in Omaha, there is no reason that we shouldn't be seeing more of one another as we certainly enjoyed our time together at this event.

Another new friend is pictured at the top of this blog. He is Tom E. Frenchman II. He travels the country, dancing at Pow Wows and resides in Lincoln, NE when he is not on the Pow Wow trail. He is an artist and an expert in clover. Yes, that is what I said, clover. You can see Tom's work at http://www.cloverexpressions.com/.

Next Pow Wow: Macy, Nebraska August 14,15,16,17, 2008