Angela Swedberg

Happy Holidays.

2011-12-19T11:11:00.000-08:00

I just got this Christmas card, designed by Elvis Baptiste and I had to share. Of course Cappy the Appy is front and center. No wonder he has such a ego :-)

Happy Holidays everyone.

"I am the day, I am the night"

2011-11-24T21:59:00.000-08:00

Finally, some new work to add to the Blog. I have been very busy with restoration work currently so I have not made much of my own art lately.

This mask I just completed for a show on masks that will open December 1st at the Stonington Gallery in Seattle, Washington. Since it was a mask show and most of the work is in Northwest Coastal style, I was at a loss as what I should make. Finally the idea of a horse mask struck me. So for better or worse, here it is. I hope to get photos of it on my horses before I send it off.

It is beaded on smoked brain tanned elk. Painted with trade pigments, and beaded in Czech cut faceted beads. It also has 14k gold and Sterling silver accent beads on it. The feathers are Heritage Turkey feathers.

I hope better photos of it tomorrow.

Angela

Your all welcome to join me on Facebook!

2011-10-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

I started a Facebook artists page for those who might have interest in my work there too. Here's the link:

"https://www.facebook.com/pages/Angela-Swedberg-Bead-and-Quillwork-Artist/112307472202407"

Hope to see you there.

Angela

Father De Smet's Coat

2011-09-25T20:43:00.000-07:00

Its been a busy month. But I finally have some things to post to the blog. Recently I was commissioned to reproduce some works for the "Sacred Encounters" project. This will be a permanent exhibit in the new museum the Coeur d'Alene tribe is now completing and installing. I will have photos of the work I did for exhibit as soon as the installation is finished.

This jacket took 5 very large and next to perfect smoked mule deer hides to make. It is sinew sewn, and the decorations on the jacket are cloth insets.

Here's a detail of the cut out work and cloth insets. The vines are mineral pigment paint.

Back view of jacket.

Detail of back.

I was on a very tight deadline, so I had to make this jacket from start to finish as quickly as possible. It took me about 10 days. With little sleep.

Angela

Protecting your artifacts from UV damage

2011-08-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

The last few days I have been working on a restoration project, which I thought would be a great example to show to those who are collectors of antique material. This is what too much UV exposure does to Indian artifacts. It totally destroyed the integrity of the leather which this shirt was made of. It also has ruined the ermine drops and bleached the hair locks to blonde. There is no saving hide which this has happened to. The micro organisms that cause the dry rot eat away at the collagen which binds the leather fibers together.

The only thing I can do in a case like this is re-build the entire shirt using what parts I can save (in this case the shirt strips and bibs are OK, although slightly fragile. Hopefully they will survive another 130 years or so.

So the moral of the story is: Protect your treasures from the sun and too much light exposure. It will kill them.

Angela

Killing two birds with one stone...Or is that killing two stones with one bird?

2011-08-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

Currently I have a commission to make a Buffalo hide incised Parflech for a museum display. I also have been once again toying with some ideas of art glass, so will be combining the two projects (since they deal with the same subject matter). Only the materials are different.

Incised Buffalo Hide parflech's are pretty rare, especially when you think about the ratio of painted ones in existence to the incised ones that still survive. They are not all that easy to make either. They have to be made from buffalo hide in which the hair has been slipped off and the dark brown epidermal is retained. Not as easy as it sounds. Usually when you soak a buffalo hide long enough to slip the hair off, its starts to rot and the epidermal layer also comes off too. So timing is very important in this process, as well as getting hides from a summer kill or fall kill buffalo when the epidermis is at its darkest. Much like a sun tan on the buffalo.

This is one I made a few years ago for a commission I had for a entire set of Nez Perce horse gear. The epidermal layer has to be removed to reveal the white hide underneath. Again, this involves proper timing. You cannot do this if the hide is too wet or too dry. And it takes a constant sharp knife to do this procedure.

So, in thinking about the incised rawhide parflech, I also am taking this concept into some art glass I am currently working on. Yesterday I was able to spend a little time on the floor of the hot shop at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington. We blew a cylinder that will eventually become a glass "Parfletch"

This process too is kind of like making a rawhide one. The glass is colored in layers. First a light tan color, then a layer of clear glass to protect that, then a top layer of dark brown glass. The top layer will then be carved to reveal the tan underneath, making the designs in the glass.

We also had to drill lots of holes in this glass while it was still molten for attachment of the fringe once the designs are carved and the shine of the glass is taken down with a acid bath. So...stay tuned for both projects to be posted soon.

Angela

Quilled Bridle Strips.....Done!

2011-08-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

I have finished the quilled bridle strips for a museum installation I am currently working on (Actually I had these done 2 weeks ago, but we all know how busy can be at times! ). I will also be making several other replicas of material Father DeSmet collected and will also post those when I am finished with them.

Here is a biography of Father DeSmet. This man did not let grass grow under his feet!

DE SMET, PIERRE-JEAN, priest, Jesuit, missionary; b. 30 Jan. 1801 at Dendermonde, diocese of Ghent, Belgium, fifth child and second son of Josse De Smet and his second wife, Marie-Jeanne Buydens; d. 23 May 1873 in St Louis, Missouri.

Pierre-Jean De Smet’s father, primarily a chandler, was a merchant of considerable means. De Smet’s early education was at home and in various colleges; in his 19th year he entered the Petit Séminaire at Mechlin. In August 1821 he sailed for the United States to begin his noviciate at White Marsh, a Jesuit estate near Baltimore. Eighteen months later he was transferred to Florissant, just north of St Louis, Missouri, where he was ordained on 23 Sept. 1827. As a prefect in St Regis Seminary, a school for Indian boys, 1824–30, he learned something of Indian customs and ways before he was sent to St Louis as treasurer of the college in that city (now St Louis University).

Father De Smet was for some years plagued with an irritating skin infection, and he was advised by local physicians to visit his native country for a period. Accordingly, he left the United States for Belgium in September 1833 and did not return to St Louis until November 1837. While abroad he found his truemétier – as a recruiter of men, supplies, and money for the Missouri mission. Soon after his return to America he was sent as a missionary to the Potawatomi Indians at Council Bluffs (Iowa); he also visited the Yankton and Santee Sioux with a view to negotiating peace between these tribes.

De Smet returned to St Louis from Council Bluffs in February 1840, and between 30 April and 31 December of that year made his first journey to the Rocky Mountains to spy out the land, that is to ascertain the prospects for missions among the Indians in those parts, especially among the Flatheads. His plan, a chimerical one, was to establish a reduction such as the Jesuit fathers of the 17th century had established in Paraguay, a mission wherein a white man would never set foot. In 1841, with two fathers and three brothers, he reached the Bitterroot Valley where he founded the mission of Sainte-Marie (Stevensville, Mont.) 35 miles south of present-day Missoula. In the following spring he visited the missionaries at Fort Vancouver (in present-day Vancouver, Wash.), François-Norbert Blanchet* and Modeste Demers, to concert plans for the propagation of the faith in the Oregon country. Between them it was decided that, since assistance in personnel and material was necessary for the success of the mission, Father De Smet should return to the central states and seek permission to visit Europe to obtain these ends. Accordingly, before the close of that year he again crossed the Atlantic, and he returned to the Pacific northwest via Cape Horn, reaching the Columbia River on 31 July 1844 with five additional Jesuits and a group of sisters of Notre-Dame de Namur. The following 12 months were spent in founding new missions and in visiting Sainte-Marie. But, convinced that the very existence of these new missions depended upon a permanent peace with the Blackfeet, the traditional enemies of the Flatheads, he determined to visit the country of the former.

In August 1845 he began a momentous journey which was to take him into Hudson’s Bay Company territory. From the north end of Pend d’Oreille Lake he cut across country to the valley of the Kootenay River, followed along it to la haute traverse, whence he crossed over to the sources of the Columbia River. Moving down this valley he entered Sinclair Pass, recrossed the Kootenay and by White Man’s Pass reached the Bow River valley near the site of present-day Canmore, Alberta. Thence he travelled northward to Rocky Mountain House which he reached on 4 October. He was there until the end of the month. Here it was that he met bands of Crees, Chippewas, and Blackfeet. He then set out to visit other Blackfoot bands, wandered aimlessly for days – apparently to the east of the area he had just passed through – and was fortunate to get back to Rocky Mountain House, whence he was conducted to Fort Edmonton, where he spent the winter of 1845–46 as a guest of the HBC. This long trek in the wilderness constitutes De Smet’s significant connection with Canadian history. He had, however, not succeeded in his purpose inasmuch as he had met only one small band of Blackfeet.

In the spring he set out with a party over the company trail via the upper North Saskatchewan River to Jasper House, where they spent Easter Sunday, 12 April 1846. From there by way of the Wood River they reached the Columbia after terrible sufferings. Three weeks later, on 29 May, they were at Fort Colvile (near present-day Kettle Falls, Wash.) and before the end of June arrived at Fort Vancouver. After a quick visit to the religious houses on the Willamette River, De Smet set out for the upper country with supplies for the missions there; he was back at his first foundation, Sainte-Marie on the Bitterroot, on or about 8 August. He then returned to St Louis. These long journeys of 1845–46 had been made at about the same time and over much of the same territory as the travels of the artist Paul Kane in search of Indians of the west. De Smet did some sketching himself as he journeyed.

De Smet’s days as a missionary to the Rocky Mountains were over. During the years that were left to him, he made numerous trips to Europe (in all he crossed the Atlantic Ocean 19 times) and, though he was not actually serving on missions, he was deeply involved with them. Between 1851 and 1870 he also journeyed to the upper Missouri River many times in the interest of the American government. Perhaps his finest hour was in 1868 when, accompanied only by a squaw-man as interpreter and a few friendly chiefs and braves, he entered the camp of Sitting Bull* and persuaded him to accept the subsequent treaty of Fort Rice, “the most complete and wisest thus far concluded with the Indians of this country.” De Smet visited the Sioux for the last time in 1870. He died three years later and was buried at Florissant where he had completed his noviciate 50 years before.

Wm. L. Davis

Angela

MISTATIM, I HONOUR YOU.

2011-07-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

I don't have photos yet of the exhibit, so I stole this one off of my friend Tyrone Tootoosis FaceBook page of the exhibit that he is curating at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park. As soon as I have the official photos, I will post them here.

I am really moved by the thoughts of honor and respect shown to the horse, and the deep connection the Plains tribes have with "Mistatim" Both historically but also now. They are a horse nation.

Angela

Quilled Headstall Strips

2011-07-05T22:36:00.000-07:00

I was recently hired to reproduce some artifacts collected by the Catholic priest Father Pierre-Jean De Smet for a museum installation. These bridle strips are the first of these projects. The originals were collected by De Smet in 1859, although the makers of them are not identified. They could be early Plateau or Plains manufacture according to the museum catalog.

When I get these done I shall give more information about Father De Smet.

The quills I am using are all natural dyed, including indigo for the blue and cochineal for the darker red. The hide is a heavy smoked brain tanned elk.

So if I get my quilling "Zen" on, I hope to have these finished by next week.

Angela

A Couple Of New Works

2011-06-28T12:07:00.000-07:00

Finally! A few now works finished. The first is a glass horse quirt that will be going on display in a exhibit soon. I have had this work in my mind for a long time and its great to be able to make it happen.

This is a recently painted drum I made. I had a friend in mind when I painted it. I have been told by one gallery I am represented by that I need to paint more. So more drums to follow.

Now onto more new things :-)

Angela

New works in the pipeline! Glass Horse Quirt.

2011-06-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

It's been a little while since I have had the opportunity to make some new works. Since I also restore artifacts and historical work, this can be very demanding on my time as well. And this year I think has been especially so, as I think many people who held off the last few years getting their antique material worked on now know the world isn't collapsing. So I had quite a bit come in needing attention.

But.....Finally I am able to start back on some new works. This will be a glass horse quirt, like the two below I did a few years ago. I still have a few glass works I have not finished up from a couple of years ago. I hope to finally get them done as well.

And I also have other works on order. So photos to follow soon.

Angela

MISTATIM, I HONOUR YOU.

2011-06-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

I am very honored and excited to have some of my work displayed in a exhibit that will open next month at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatchewan, Canada. The focus of the exhibit is on the Mistatim (horse) and the relationship with the Plains Cree peoples. The exhibit will run from July 2011 to July 2012.

Here's a link to the Wanuskewin Heritage Park:http://www.wanuskewin.com/

I'll post photos once its up and running.

Angela

Plateau Dresses

2011-06-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of Plateau dresses I have made a few years ago. And of course I don't have good photos of them as I would like. Often one has to ship the work off as soon as it is finished. Such was the case of the first dress. It went into a important collection, but I never did get the photos of it once it was installed. Sigh!

This dress was made from two large yearling elk hides. It is beaded entirely of antique Italian beads using elk sinew. And....all those teeth on it are real Elk Teeth. Both front and back. It took many elk to make this dress, as there are only two ivory teeth per animal. Such a dress was as highly prestigious and valuable in historic times as it is today. It takes many years of hunting and saving teeth to make a dress like this.

This dress was made using Mt. Sheep hides, just like many of the old Pony Beaded dresses were. It is a excellent hide for garments, as it is strong but thin. And now impossible to get. Mt Sheep today have had their numbers severely impacted with the introduction of lung worm from domestic sheep. Mt. Sheep hides were the preferred species to make both dresses and war shirts from. Now it is a rare garment made from them.

This dress was beaded using pony beads in a mid-nineteenth century style. The drops on this dress are also elk teeth and very valuable trade beads. It also took a additional 3 antelope hides just to make the thin, thick fringe on the bottom and sides. I also retained the tails and hair on the ends of the legs for fringe like the original ones.
I originally made this dress for a traveling museum exhibit. And I kept this one, and wear it from time to time.

My hopes are soon to start making another one. A girls got to have new clothes :-)

Angela

Cheif David Young Cayuse Horse Collar

2011-05-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

Here's another one of those items from the historical past I felt very lucky to be able to restore. When this item came to me, it was not in its original form and had been made into a bandoleer for people to wear I assume. But the minute I saw it I remembered the photo of Chief David Young taken by Major Moorhouse and was able to confirm this was the same item as in the photo. I restored the horse collar back as it was intended to be used (the center panel was vertical when I got this). Too bad though we don't know where the matching mask to this is. But I love it when images of the past and the actual item in the present can be collaborated. And it is often that due to the photographic process, what something appears to be in a photograph is not the case when looking at the actual artifact. Bill Holm wrote a excellent article about this in American Indian Art. Different types of film register colors differently. This is a excellent example. In the photo it appears the collar is a blue background with red trim, when in fact the opposite is true.

Angela

THIS MONTANA PLACE - A GATHERING OF ARTISTS

2011-05-12T13:01:00.000-07:00

I thought I would pass it along that there is a early registration discount for those who sign up for this amazing gathering planned for this September. The discount will only be available until June 15th.

Also to, here is a link to the Blog site the organizer of this event has written. It's worth the read:

http://www.makeitmissoula.com/2011/05/sm-this-montana-place/

Angela

Jackson Sundown Shirt

2011-04-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

This simple shirt belonged to the Great Champion Rodeo Rider Jackson Sundown. He is seen wearing it in the small photo above (I wished I had a better one but this is all I have). I have written before about him on this blog. Jackson Sundown is a man who encompasses so many facets of the Western experience. He was on the trail with his uncle Chief Joseph in the fight for freedom against the US army when he was only 11. He was wounded twice in the war. Later in life he won the Rodeo Championship of 1916 at the Pendleton Round Up.

It is a honor to be able to work on a object that belonged to such a important figure in history.

Angela

Nez Perce' Cradle Board

2011-04-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the cradleboard shown in this well known Curtis photo of a Nez Perce' Baby. It was quite a while ago I had this one in. But what surprised me was the colors on it. Often this can be the case, as what one thing looks like in a photo can be totally different in real life. But either way, you have to admit that is one cute baby (which did not come with the cradleboard :-) )

Angela

NEZ PERCE' BLANKET STRIP

2011-04-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

This is another artifact I felt very lucky to have hired to restore. It is seen in the above photo taken of the young Nez Perce' Annette Burke. She was born in 1904, so this photo must have been taken I assume in the mid to late teens. She is from a highly respected and important Nez Perce' family.

The blanket strip was beaded on smoked braintan hide, as the Nez Perce, although living on the west side of the Rocky Mountains would take multi year long hunting trips to the Plains east of the Rockies. No small feat by any means, as not only did they have the long journey of crossing the mountains horseback but they also were in other tribes territories while they were hunting. Some of these tribes they were at odds with.

The blanket this is mounted on is cloth produced for trade by the Hudsons Bay company in Canada (as there are stripes thru the selvage edge of it which was only sold up north. But trade goods got around, so not out of the ordinary to find cloth like this on Nez Perce material. Often it is seen used on Blackfeet art as well. This blanket strip also has some of the colors favored by the Nez Perce's: Turquoise and Cobalt Blue, Cheyenne Pink, Greasy Yellow, Pumpkin Yellow and Deep Rose Whitehearts. It doesn't get any better than this strip. It is sewn with sinew.

One of my favorite art artworks made by the Nez Perce'

Angela

When You Get To Hold History In Your Hands

2011-04-12T20:38:00.000-07:00

I have been very fortunate to have handled some important historic Native art in my capacity as a restoration specialist (As well as being a artist). It teaches me more about the art than any other way I think I could imagine. It helps me greatly in knowing how this work is done which I then use this knowledge to create and make new works. No amount of looking at photos of artifacts can replace actually getting to feel, smell, handle, and repair the work. Fixing what the artist did teaches you as if you were to have a paint brush and follow a master painters work brush stroke to brush stroke.

This dress was one of those famous works. It is shown in this famous Curtis photo of "The Wife of Mnainak", A Yakima Chief. I have restored quite a few of these Plateau Mt. Sheep Hide Dresses. They are one of my favorite items to make as well.

So in the next few weeks, I will show some of the works I have been fortunate to have worked on that appear in some pretty famous photos. For me it doesn't get any better than that :-)

Angela

Horse Dance Stick

2011-04-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

This "Horse Dance Stick" or memorial stick was a joint project between myself and NW Coast Carver Joe David. It is carved to represent my Appaloosa "Cappy". Generally these are made to honor a respected horse, like one the warrior rode into battle and was killed. Such are the carvings made by the famous Standing Rock Sioux warrior No Two Horns who made the horse sticks in the last photo. These memorialize a blue roan horse that was shot several times in battle but carried No Two Horns until he could no longer do so. But I have to add, Cappy is very much alive right now, although missing a little of his mane which he donated to the project.

The feather stick under the chin are a type of war medicine that were used by the Blackfeet and some of the other surrounding tribes.

While I have not ridden Cappy into war or the situations that these horses have been memorialized for, we have in the past done some different types of horse shows. And I can tell you they can be just as bad as if you were at war :-)

Angela

TRADE BLANKET CAPOTE - PLATEAU STYLE!

2011-04-04T19:43:00.000-07:00

This Capote (Or Great Coat) I made using a four point Hudsons Bay trade blanket. The beadwork style is what I would consider Plateau (Nez Perce, Cayuse) but some also would call this Crow style. These types of coats were made among many of the tribes of Northern areas, from the Great Lakes all the way out here to the west, and across Canada. Usually though they are not quite as fancy as this one. But a smart adaptation to wearing a blanket that needs constant adjusting.

Angela

Tlingit Evening Bag

2011-03-29T16:38:00.000-07:00

This bag is also at the Stonington Gallery in Seattle. It is beaded on trade cloth, using antique and modern cut beads. The gold beads are 24k gold plated. The frame is antique sterling silver. The fringe also has trade beads and dentillium shells, which were very valuable commodities to the Tlingit people as well as other tribes of the Northwest Coast.

Drums and Rattles Show - Stonington Gallery, Seattle

2011-03-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

I just painted this drum for the "Drums and Rattles" group show that will be at the Stonington Gallery in Seattle, Washington. It opens April 8th http://www.stoningtongallery.com/upcoming.php

I think I will do a few more drums in the future. Enjoyable to make and painting is a nice departure from my normal work. The drum above is based on some old Plains Indian shield paintings. There are several in historic collections with the buffalo feet symbols in the four directions. So this I have named the "Buffalo Caller" drum, in honor of those who sang honor songs to the buffalo before the hunt, to call them near so they could proved substance for the tribes.

This is a drum I painted a few years ago to tell the story of a bear attack that happened in the forest I happen to run and ride my horses in. A friend of mine was mauled while out mountain bike riding and barely survived the attack. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003888882_webbearattack17m.html But I am proud to say, he has not only fought back physically (he almost lost his arm, had his ear torn off, and had numerous bite and claw wounds over his body) but what makes me very proud of my friend is that he also has not let this attack stop him from enjoying riding his mountain bike in the very forest he was attacked in. This takes a very strong mental and emotional commitment. He decided he was not a victim.
The Banner Forest Bear was never found either, although a lengthy search by Wildlife officials was mounted. So somewhere in the forest I visit and love, this bear is there, either physically or his spirit is there. I wanted to honor that.

Angela

My "Holly Hunter" Hunting Bag!

2011-03-24T21:06:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot about this bag, until I was digging thru a trunk today looking for something else. This bag was one I made for a friend a while ago. He lives in Alaska, where he carves ivory and sometimes is a tour guide. One day I get a phone call from him. "Angela, Guess who's here right now" Of course I reply "I have no clue" "Holly Hunter. She's likes the buffalo robe you painted and is interested in one"
Seems Holly Hunter was in Alaska filming "The Big White" with Robin Williams and Woody Harrison. Somehow my friend ended up taking them Mountain Bike riding and several other activities while they were there. So I asked him kind of jokingly to get her autograph for me. And he did. On the bag I had made him. Thats how I ended up with my Holly Hunter Hunting bag.

Of course I think my favorite roll she played was in the Coen Brothers film "Raising Arizona" She really is a gifted actress.

Angela

One more pair of Gauntlet Gloves!

2011-03-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

Going thru photos today, I found another pair of gauntlet gloves I made and forgot about, so didn't add them to the last post. Probably due to the fact, in all honesty, that gauntlet gloves are something I really don't like making much. Maybe because they are difficult to sew, or that they are difficult to fit. Hard to make them right.

In fact I can use the work "hate" to make them, unless I am in the right mind to do so. To prove that point, several years ago I had a proposal from a very important art collector that wanted me to make 24 pairs of gauntlet gloves. Each one different and of my own art choice. And I turned it down. I still don't know if that was a smart move, as I would have had a good year, year and a half of steady work and probably a museum show and book out of it in the end. But I just could not suffer the fact of making a total of 48 sewn and beaded hands. But if ones does not like the art one is asked to do, then don't do it. Life is too short.

And soon, under the suggestion of a friend, I will hopefully have all these Blog posts categorized under each type of item. Its a bit of a search to look for specific types of items in this Blog as I have quite a few works up.

Angela

BEADED GLOVES - PART 2

2011-03-02T18:31:00.000-08:00

While I am madly working away on some new material, I though I would add a few more pairs of beaded gloves to the Blog. The first big pair I have had a while (as evidenced by the bead repair with the blue beads that don't quite match). But in real life they are close. Photography can alter colors.

I wear these when I ride in parades. Inside the stars on the hands is my livestock brand, although upside down in the photo. But not to the wearer of the gloves. They are beaded out of small size 14 antique cut faceted beads, on finely tanned smoked braintan hide.

These last three sets of simple cuff length gloves were done at a friends request. They were going thru a tough time, and wanted something "Simple but fun" to wear while she was riding cutting horses. I hope they fit the bill for her.

New work to follow soon.

Angela

And now for something totally different.

2011-02-20T15:40:00.000-08:00

I think for a little change of pace, I am going to make a few Northwest coast Tlingit style beaded bags. I love the abstract nature of the beadwork, as well as the widely chosen palate of beads. I will post the finished bags once they are completed.

Angela

SANTA FE...HERE I COME!

2011-02-20T15:15:00.000-08:00

I am excited to announce I am now offering some of my work at Huey's Fine Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. http://www.hueysfineart.com/Home.htm I love Santa Fe!

I will have some of my glass work there, along with some of my more traditional works like painted buffalo hides and beadwork. This work is a sculpted glass "Rock Medicine". The talon and bear claw are also hand sculpted glass. I am drawn to the appeal of medicine items, but am careful not to make them for sale. There is a respect that needs to be exercised towards this type of material, and making the "real thing" is not advisable unless done for the correct reasons. So the glasswork is a representation of these items as a painting would be, but they are not "real" in the traditional sense and possess no power. But hopefully convey the incredible beauty and integrity that they deserve. All the beads are antique Italian seed beads and carefully chosen trade beads. This also has some real elk teeth as well as shells, dyed ermine and trade bells.

Rock Medicines are personal items who's true meanings are at times very individualized to the owner or visionary of them.

This is a blown and sculpted glass Blackfoot style rattle. The original ones would be made out of rawhide. This one also is beaded in antique Italian beads and has ermine and trade bells.

So next time your in Santa Fe, stop by Huey's Fine Art :-)

Angela

PLATEAU SPLIT HORN BONNET, AGAIN!

2011-02-20T14:45:00.000-08:00

Well I just couldn't leave well enough alone. I made this bonnet last summer, but was never quite satisfied with it. Something bothered me. So I have made a whole new set of horns for it, as well as taken off the whole ermine on the sides and replaced them with ermine "tubes" instead. I am now happier with the look of it.

In case anyone has interest in this bonnet, it will be for sale at Astoria Fine Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. http://www.astoriafineart.com/index.html

PLATEAU PANEL BELT

2011-02-11T05:29:00.000-08:00

Panel belts, beaded on hard harness leather were a very common form of clothing among the Plateau peoples, and also across the Northern Plains. They are worn by both men and woman. The usual difference in being that the mens tended to be narrow, and the women's belts wide. Today they are still worn, although most now are fairly wide.

These are not easy to make, as every hole thru the leather has to be pre-punched by a awl, before passing the thin and fragile beading needle thru the leather. One of the tricks used by the old time beadworker's was to take the harness leather to the saddle makers shop, who would figure out the hole spacing determined by the size of the beads the artist was using, and run the belt thru his sewing machine using a unthreaded needle. This can only be done using the old time harness makers sewing machines.

This belt I made using both modern 13/0 cut beads as well as antique cuts beads. On the Plateau these belts were commonly made using cut beads in some very small sizes (16/0). Also, when I made this belt originally, I put horses on the panels that I either had owned (the Paint horse and blanketed Appaloosa) or always wanted. I have since gotten a Buckskin, which ironically is marked just like this one including two hind white socks. Now I just need a Paint horse like the brown one :-)

It is fairly unusual to have pictorial figures on the panels of the belts, as this part is done with very long stings of beads and all the design work has to be figured prior to this. Then the belts are not being worn and lay flat, these beads hang loose and very sloppy looking. The other difference on this belt from most is that all the panels are different while on most the panels are all matching.

In these two photos you can see the belts as they would have been worn. The man in the last photo is the famous Nez Perce' Rodeo rider Jackson Sundown and his wife Cecelia. Not only do I admire him for his riding skills and traditional values, but feel a connection to both him and his wife in a special way. I have had the privilege as a art restorer to have worked on several items he owned and wore and that his wife Cecelia had made. That certainly puts the history of these beautiful people in a very personal perspective for me.

Angela

THIS MONTANA PLACE - A GATHERING OF ARTISTS

2011-01-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

Since I will be teaching at this gathering, I thought I would post this for those who might have a interest in attending this event in the fall. This will be held on the Teddy Roosevelt Memorial Ranch (Yes that guy, the historic President of the United States) in Montana. The Dun Rovin Ranch is the only outfitter licensed to operate there. This will be a great time, and will include art instruction, horseback riding in some of the most beautiful country one has ever seen, and attendees will get the "Real Deal" of learning about traditional Blackfoot Indian traditions, as it will be taught to the participants by Blackfoot tribal members who have the actual "rites" to the tipis they will be bringing to set up and allow participants to sleep in. I myself will be teaching about how to paint robes and hides using traditional painting techniques of the Northern Plains Indians.

Heres a link to the gathering: http://www.dunrovinranchmontana.com/PDF/2011_Expedition_This%20Montana%20Place.pdf

Hopefully some of you out there will attend this gathering. It will be I promise a great one.

Angela

PLATEAU CRADLE BOARD

2011-01-14T22:33:00.000-08:00

This cradleboard was one I made some time ago, but currently I have doing quite a bit of restoration of historic material, and this keeps me from making new works. I will post some more works that I have made in the past, until I get some new works finished (which I anticipate to be soon).

It is beaded using old cut beads, and old "Cheyenne Pink" for the background. The board it is on is even hand hewn cedar, from a old log I found here on my land. The hide is a very lightly smoked braintan. And inside is a Plateau Doll with a classic Pony Beaded dress on. It actually has the Mt. Sheep Tail dress tail, which came off some mt. sheep hides I had used previously to make a shirt with.

Cradle boards were a very important heirloom item, passed down thru families. Often they would save the top and inside board, but remake the buckskin part with each new baby. And this tradition of babyboards continues to this day on the Plateau. It is always a beautiful thing to see when a family loves and cherishes their little ones with such an elaborate and carefully made cradleboard that protects them and shows how much they are valued.

Angela

IF YOUR GOING TO WEAR A BIG COWGIRL HAT.....

2010-12-30T20:38:00.000-08:00

You are going to have to have a big attitude!

Finally I have finished this hat. I had beaded the image of the cowgirl riding the buffalo over a year ago, but was just not quite satisfied with the hat. It felt uncompleted. So I decided to finally finish it this week by beading the brim. And a much bigger job than I had thought. It measures five feet around. All beaded in small cut beads. But now I can say I am done.

Big Cowgirl hats were all the rage back in the 1910's with the Rodeo set. These women are participating at the Pendleton Round Up, in my home state of Oregon. We love our big hats there.

And back in the day, the women competed head to head with the men in rodeo events including the rough stock contests like bronc riding, as well as bull dogging and roping. One of the first places where women's rights and equality held its own, long before women were even given the right to vote.

Long live Cowgirls !

Angela

BLACKFOOT BONNET CASES

2010-12-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

This is a pair of Blackfoot Bonnet cases made as the old ones were for a Blackfoot friend of mine who is a bundle owner. The Blackfeet made and still make these cases to hold their Medicine and Society bundles. The Blackfeet have a very strong tradition of Medicine bundles which is very much in use today. While the actual rawhide containers house the sacred material and can be seen as a "secular" item, nobody including myself should ever replicate or "play" with the actual material they hold unless you have the rights to do so procured thru proper initiation and training. The Bundles are held in very high reverence by the Blackfeet and are the center of their identity. To own one involves not only costly rites transfers, but training, learning the songs that go with the bundle (which actually give it the power it has associated with it) and also moral obligations as well as personal conduct restrictions. One must hold annual bundle opening ceremony's along with the required feasts as well as other obligatory duties. These bundles are not to be taken lightly.

Although the tubular style of case is termed a "Bonnet" case, they can hold just about anything. These are made with natural pigment paint and brain tanned fringes, as well as trade cloth trim.

Angela

CROW STYLE TIPI BAGS

2010-11-24T05:58:00.000-08:00

This is a pair of tipi bags I have made in the past as well as a few singles. Usually tipi bags are made in pairs, to be hung one on each side of the horse when used for transporting camp, and then hung from the top of the liner in the tipi (hence the name) or placed along the bottom as the photos show. But often over time they end up separated, so I chose also to make to singles ones. These bags are all "Crow" style bags. Many different tribes made these with each one having its different tribal nuances to it. Nomadic people need a way to store and carry their possessions, and these were a perfect canvas to express tribal styles and preferences artistically while still being practical.

Both the pair and the two singles are made using brain tanned hide (the smoke tanned one is recycled from a old buffalo robe) and antique beads, sinew sewn. The center "targets" on the pair are also recycled from a cloth war shirt. Having to work hard to tan hides and procure expensive beads, recycling is nothing new to natives. Many items are made reusing beadwork or hide that once was something else.

Angela

1860's PONY BEADED PLATEAU WAR SHIRT

2010-11-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

I had totally forgotten about this shirt, as well as the publications it had been in until a dear friend in Italy asked me about published works. And there are quite a few, so I thought I would start with this shirt.

This shirt was a commission from some good friends of mine, who are collectors of major Plateau material. They very much appreciate both antique material and also contemporary works for the artistry and expression of a culture. They have quite a few of my major pieces. This shirt is made just like ones from the 1860's, using brain tanned Mt. Sheep hides for the body, and this shirt
took 4 brain tanned antelope hides to do the fringe, which is wrapped with wolf moss dyed quills and correctly dyed wool yarn. It is sinew sewn using vintage pony beads and cloth and painted with a natural mineral pigment paint I happened to dig myself in Eastern Washington.

This photo is from the book "Western Design" and it has also been published in "Cabin Fever" (Both books are about Western High Style Interior Design, and was also published in Cowboys and Indians magazine.

What was really a amazing process in researching and making this shirt was that two different people came up with essentially the same idea. I had done my initial research for this shirt looking thru the slide collection of Bill Holm, a Indian art scholar I have nothing but the highest praise and respect for. So once it was done, I thought I would bring it to his home to show him. It is a original (meaning I did not copy a existing shirt) but certainly was based on historic material. When Bill saw the shirt, he got excited and wanted to know where I got my idea for it. I explained my process. He disappeared to the back of his studio, and then reappeared with this painting "The Parade". The warrior riding the bay horse was wearing the almost exact same shirt, also a creation of Bill Holm's imagination. I was speechless to say the least. And being such a generous man, he gave me a A/P print of the painting. It is one of my treasures.

The last photos was taken around the 1860's period in Eastern Oregon showing a young man to the left wearing a similar type of blocky pony beaded shirt with the long tripled fringe. In its day, to be able to use so much hide for fringe was certainly a status symbol. And I think for today this also holds true as it is a lot of work to procure and tan these hides, or to purchase them from someone who does. Just to cut them up into fringe.

Angela

It's Done!

2010-10-30T17:50:00.001-07:00

Finally, I have got the butterfly bag done.

Certainly a different type of subject matter for me which was a challenge. But its good to do something outside from ones norm once in a while as its all a part of the growth process as a artist and craftsman. I probably would have not done this type of subject matter if left up to me (Butterfly's, Columbine and Indian Paintbrush flowers) but now that the final bag is done, I am pleased with the results.

Angela

Getting to the wire!

2010-10-18T08:07:00.001-07:00

With all hopes and good intentions, I am attempting to have the butterfly bag finished by the end of the week. Of course, this is spoken by the worlds biggest optimist, so barring sleep the next post I put up should show the finished bag.

Then on to other new works, of which there will be plenty to show this winter. And with our dismal forecast of the worst winter in something like 55 years here, this should keep me off my horses and at the beading table.

Angela

Call me the "Gucci" of beaded purses!

2010-10-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

Fall is here, and I am back to work. I have been commissioned to make several designer purses, so I thought to show the one that is currently in progress. When I got this commission (based on a set of dinnerware of all things) I thought to myself "Oh Man". Not what I would ever make. But I have got to say that as I have been working on this purse, I am really starting to love the clients idea. A challenge at first to get me out of my normal mode of thinking and what I would normally do. But now this has got me into wanting to do more experimentation. And I am using bead colors I usually run from. After this one and the other two I will be making, it will be exciting to see what comes out. So hope to have some totally new types of work to show soon.

Angela

Sculpted Glass Horse Quirt

2010-09-08T05:56:00.001-07:00

This sculpted glass quirt was made while I was a Artist in Residence at the incredible Pilchuck Glass School. I have been very honored to have attended Pilchuck in several manifestations, from a Artist in Residence, a student, and a Fellowship Recipient, but the greatest of all, as a friend and fellow artist. I have met some of the most amazing and inspirational people there, some of whom are now for me "Family" that I dearly love.

This fall and winter promises to be a highly productive one full of many new artworks. I have quite a bit of beadwork projects to do, as well as finally getting back in my studio and working on new glass work. So say tuned as they say!

Angela

"PRIDE OF THE NEZ PERCE" is finished.

2010-08-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

http://www.mariadangelo.com/prideofthenezperce.html

You can order your copy of the wonderful rendition done by Maria D'Angelo starring of course Cappy the Wonder Horse! Cappy is very pleased with the portrait that Maria has done of him. What a ego he is developing!

"CROW/PLATEAU" Keyhole Bridle

2010-08-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Since this upcoming weekend it will be the great annual Crow Indian Fair http://crowfair.crowtribe.com/

I thought I would post a Crow/Plateau bridle I made. Debating which tribe this particular style belongs to can illicit fist fights among very passionate Plains Indian scholars. So I will side step that contentious discussion and call it both as the Crows and the Plateau peoples equally used them with plenty of supporting historical photo documentation to support either claim.

The bridle I made is on buffalo rawhide, and sinew sewn using antique Italian beads. One of the thoughts of where these bridles may have originated from (key hole on forehead) is based on Spanish horse bridles.

On to more projects. Plenty of great new purses to make this fall, so I should have some really great new material to show here. Again, Thanks to all who have shown a interest in my artwork and my blog site.

Angela

PENDLETON ROUND UP BAG

2010-08-08T16:21:00.001-07:00

Just finishing up a purse that was ordered for the Pendleton Round Up. This year will be the 100th Anniversary, so promises to be a "Goot One". This purse is in a antique Bakelite frame, beaded on smoked brain tanned hide, and is beaded in cut beads as well as some antique ones thrown in. The outlining of the image is 14k. gold plated beads. I also beaded the wooley chaps on the cowgirl to be textured like real wooly's are. And like most of the photos in this Blog, you can click each one and it will enlarge so you can see the detail.

Of course the day you want to take some photos....it rains. So hopefully I can get outside to do some better quality shots before this heads to its new home.

And, the hat is available if anyone is interested. It's a 7 1/4 BIG hat. But will make a statement where ever you wear it.

Angela

"Pride of the Nez Perce" - Historic Pendleton Round Up Parade

2010-08-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

I am so excited, I have to post this fine pencil drawing in process. This work is by the equine artist Maria D'Angelo, and she is doing a portrait of Cappy titled "Pride of the Nez Perce". I was blown away she wanted to use him and my beadwork as a subject matter. Her work is amazing, and you can see more of it here: http://www.mariadangelo.com/

I will post this image again when it is complete.

Also, as Maria is making progress, I have been re-editing this post to show the work. So, these photos are the newest to the oldest.

And as something really special, I have this rare clip of the Nez Perce and Cayuse Indians on parade at the Pendleton Round Up in 1912. It illustrates I think in a living manner how the beadwork I make would have been in use.

Enjoy.

Angela

CUSTOM BEADED PURSES

2010-07-30T06:21:00.000-07:00

Since I am once again in between projects I thought I would post some images of two purses I made some time ago. Sorry the photos are not the best they could be.

The first bag with the blue background is the first one I made with this original design and concept. While I did find out in a surprising way that a well known designer did a knock off of my beaded horse purses upon entering a couture shop in Santa Fe (It had been previously published in Living West magazine so I guess thats where they saw it) these are originals designed and conceived by myself and are copyright protected.

These are what I consider my mobile photo albums. Many of the horses on them I have either owned, currently own or have ridden. The black with the white hip spots on the yellow background is the mother to my big spotted Appy. She is dear to my heart, and was saved by a $10 bid over her poundage price from the slaughter house. And she payed me back more than I could ever do for her by giving him to me.

So, if any of you are reading this by chance from looking me up from my Cowboys and Indians article, and are interested in a custom purse or other work, please feel free to contact me at angela@medicinecapstudio.com. I have since made several of these purses for others portraying their own horses. Every purse is a one of a kind.

Angela

Woo Hoo! Me and Cappy is famous!

2010-07-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

Today I received the new issue of Cowboys and Indians. In it is a well done article by Ona Kiser, who writes the impressive blog "Global Horse Culture". I was honored to have her write about me, yes me, and Cappy the wonder horse! So we are basking in our 15 minutes of fame right now. Ona also did a more comprehensive story on her blog site as the magazine did edit down much of the text. Here's her full story:http://globalhorseculture.typepad.com/global_horse_culture/2010/07/angela-swedberg-artist.html

Again, I really wish to thank Ona for doing this. Not ego, but validation. We all need that from time to time.

Angela

Ca. 1860's Plateau Bag Replica.

2010-07-15T17:45:00.001-07:00

This Plateau bag is a replica of one done in the 1860's and currently at the Portland Art Museum. I normally do not make exact replica's (I prefer to do my own art) but I was asked by a highly respected beadwork scholar to work on a joint project recreating Columbia River beadwork. I felt very honored to have been asked. We have several more bags jointly to finish yet. This bag while a replica, still did not come out "exactly" as the original. Lazy stitch beadwork is pretty easy to make copy's as you can count out the beads etc, but overlay like this is more problematic. While I had a life sized photocopy upon which to work, I discovered part way thru it was maybe 1/8 of a inch off, so made for some slight variation in the final work. But I think it will be OK.

One of the reasons that the two most numerous artifact types surviving of Indian material are moccasins and bags is that everyone needed footwear, and Indian clothing had no pockets so personal items were carried in a variety of bags. The Plateau peoples have a rich tradition of bags. From corn husk (which would have been a pre-contact art form, although using dog bane and Indian hemp) to partially beaded trade cloth to the more elaborate pictorial and floral work, the artistic tradition is very rich, vibrant and alive!

Angela

Cowboys and Indians Magazine

2010-07-14T11:49:00.001-07:00

Yahoo!!! I just found out that a two page editorial on my artwork is coming out in the September issue of Cowboys and Indians Magazine. It is in the mail as I write this, and once I get my copy I will post it on site. Cappy has his photo in it I am told, so he will be happy and it gives him something to brag about around the pasture. I on the other hand am very happy that my face is not in the article :-)

The writer of the article is Ona Kiser, who has a really incredible blog site all should check out named "Global Horse Culture" http://globalhorseculture.typepad.com/global_horse_culture/

She has amazing information on it about humans and horses from all over the world. I also Thank Ona for doing such a good job writing about and finding interest in my work. She rocks!

Angela

OJIBWAY/METIS PAD SADDLE

2010-07-09T09:48:00.001-07:00

This saddle pad is one I made some time ago when my work was featured in a traveling museum show titled "Old And New Masterpieces". It was a great show to participate in, and I felt honored to have my work displayed side by side with historical artwork :-). I actually posted this here some time ago, but found that I have in error deleted some of my postings and will put that work back up. And I need a filler while I work on new projects anyway.

This saddle is made out of smoked brain tanned moose hide, and is beaded in both antique and carefully chosen modern "cut" or faceted beads. The pad underneath is a hair on buffalo hide. It is stuffed with buffalo wool. The stirrups are rawhide covered bent wood.

This particular type of saddle was considered a mans saddle, while the wooden frame saddles are women's.

And a fun saddle to take the occasional trial ride. It gets me some interesting looks. When I make period works and need to antique them, I often use "horse sweat" to do the job. I think the local horse community here thinks I am a bit off center at times :-)

Angela

The world cup and my stock brand!

2010-07-07T08:42:00.001-07:00

Three years ago, I was made this neon sign of my stock brand (Medicine Cap Ranch) by some students up at Pilchuck Glass School. The reason for the gift was a kind of funny story. There is no TV up at the school, and a group of international students (Germany, Australia, Italy, Mexico, Japan, England) all wanted to watch the world cup. I ran them all into town and dropped them off at the local sports bar at 8am. Nothing like rounding up a bunch of very drunk soccer fans in the evening from the bar where they had been all day, and driving them 20 miles back to the school in the bed of my pickup truck (which in this state is illegal). Keeping them from standing up in the truck, flying their national flags while going 75 mph down the freeway was certainly a task. More to the story of course, but made for quite a night. But they were very sweet, and made this for me in appreciation. It is on the front of my studio.

Angela

Early Plateau Flat Bags

2010-07-07T08:23:00.001-07:00

I thought I would post a little of a current project I am working on. This will end up being one of several early Plateau bags being made. This is a exciting project for me, as this type of beadwork comes from the area I grew up in. I will have more to post on this project later.

Angela

When art becomes art!

2010-06-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

The world of the internet can be a interesting one. Having this Blog has actually connected me to people I would probably never have known about and had contact with by conventional means. Sculptor Dave Lemon is one example. I am not sure how I found his blog site, but was very moved by his amazing bronze sculptures and also his sharing of the process and openness to educate those who find his site. When Dave was working on his current project "The Protector" we talked back and forth a bit about Blackfeet Bonnets. There are many types, some of which are very sacred to the Blackfeet and require rights to make and wear them. These types should not be messed with or worn with by reproduction artists or hobbyists with out securing proper rites to them, as they are still very much in use by the Blackfeet peoples. Others, like this bonnet I reconstructed for a Blackfoot friend of mine from a old bonnet that had been in his family are more secular in nature. The photo of the three Pikuni men taken in 1916 show these two types of bonnets. Wolf Plume is wearing the type of bonnet I rebuilt, while Curly Bear and Bird Rattler are wearing what are known as "Straight Up" bonnets. These are only worn and made by those to whom rights are secured and transfered. Many of the first type of bonnet were given away in "Making Chiefs" ceremony's by the Blackfeet, especially to non-native folks of prestige who came to Glacier National Park in the first half of the 1900's (And before the golden eagle was declared a endangered species in the 1960's). Before that, you could actually mail order feathers and many hobbyist made bonnets are still floating around that are made with pre-ban feathers.

So, in getting back to this bonnet. I sent a photo of it to Dave, who in turn is using it on his current bronze. I love when this back and forth of artwork happens.

Check out Daves Blog and work. You'll be impressed. http://adayinthelifeofalemon.blogspot.com/2010/06/protector-headdress-finished-today.html

Angela

Artists you meet along the way.

2010-06-26T16:48:00.000-07:00

Since I am again in between projects, I thought I would share a few friends I have met along the way in my journey as a artist. The first one is Davide Salvadore, a Italian master glass artist. He was recently at both Pilchuck Glass School (where Iinitially met him 6 years ago) and was at the Museum of Glass as Artist inResidence last week. Here's a link showing his work there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4z8U199VSI

I also was happy to have finally met another artist of who's work I have admired for years. Rick Bartow (fourth photo down) is a Native artist from Oregon, and is also a musician. He is also a very generous man, and gave me a incredible glass bird wing when I met him. Here's

Rick and my 'Bro' Joe David getting their Urban NDN on! Ricks work can be found at the Froelick Gallery in Portland Oregon http://www.froelickgallery.com/Artist-Detail.cfm?ArtistsID=227 as well as the Stonington Gallery in Seattle http://dev.stoningtongallery.com/artistselect.php?fn=Rick&ln=Bartow&artist=3&artType=0&topic=bio.

The last photo is Joe wearing a hat I just did for him, a quilled hat band with bear ears.

The second to the last photo is of Raven Sky River and Kelly O'dell. Two very talented and generous glass artists that I have been very lucky to have worked with. They gaffed some of the glass work I have in the Stonington gallery as Astoria Fine Art in Jackson Hole Kelly is starting the next generation young in glass blowing, as she is not due for a few months yet. One tough girl!

I really admire the talents of others and getting to know the people behind the beauty.

Angela

Work for the "The head adorned" show

2010-06-03T17:33:00.001-07:00

Just finishing up a Plateau Bonnet I am making to be included in the Stonington Gallery's July group show titled "The head adorned" http://www.stoningtongallery.com/calendar.php Most of the work in the show will be Northwest Coastal art like masks, frontlets etc. But I hope folks will get this bonnet, as the Plateau culture starts right across the Cascade mountains to the east by 150 miles, and is much closer to Seattle than Alaska or even Canada is!

A few more little tweaks here and there on this, and I will call it good.

Angela

Postscipt: The show is now up, and here is the link to it http://dev.stoningtongallery.com/current.php

PLATEAU DRESS FINISHED! (Well almost)

2010-05-14T08:32:00.001-07:00

Finally, the dress that seemed to take forever is in a delivery box on it's way to the commissioner! This dress reminded me of a old Lakota Sioux story about when the world would end. The story was that a old woman who lived in her tipi was doing quillwork, and every night when she finished her work the dog that was her companion would rip out what had been done while she slept and she would have to start all over again. The world would end once she actually finished the work and the dog was there to keep it from happening. This kind of felt that way, as I ended up taking about 170 hours more to make it than I thought and I really cannot figure out why, except maybe there is some crafty dog hanging around here I don't know about.

Eventually the dress will have the shells changed out for real elks teeth when enough are collected. This takes time as elk only have two "eye" teeth that are the ones used on dresses like this. One of the reasons those kind of dresses are rare and so costly.

This dress was made using two extremely large mule deer hides, and was beaded with antique Italian beads, some of which I got from www.beadmatch.com (check them out if you have a chance. A dangerous place for bead wonks). The shells are the old style large mature cowrie shells that are next to impossible to find today, and the drops under the yolks are fairly contemporary "Russian" trade bead reproductions, that are also no longer available. A good reminder about beads: Since they often go in and out of production in short order, if you see something, get it while you can, and buy like you will be beading until your 80 years old. You can always re-sell them if you don't use them. They don't eat or rot!

So, since this is technically not finished yet, I guess I won't have to worry about the world ending just yet.

Angela

Quilled Garments

2010-05-01T06:05:00.000-07:00

Since I am still working on the Plateau dress (2 months now) and haven't had anything new to post, I am reposting some earlier work buried way, way back on this blog. I guess I am entitled to? Hey, these each to several hundred hours each to make, so I guess they deserve more than one shot on the Blog. Hope to have some fresh images soon.

Angela

Making tracks on the Plateau Dress.

2010-04-08T09:48:00.001-07:00

Well, I finally think I am getting far enough on this commission to show some progress photos. I still will be expending a additional 120 hours or so to finish this dress. Big project!

After it is done, no rest for the wicked though. A good sign the economy is recovering is lately I have been hired for several more big commissions, and also will be having some national media coverage. And am currently being reviewed to a very important museum show :-) . Yeah....My Chinese horoscope for this year said it would be a good one. So far, I am a believer.

Angela

PLATEAU BLANKET STRIP

2010-03-25T04:18:00.000-07:00

This is a Plateau blanket strip that I was asked to make for some of my good friends. They owned the original, but ended up selling it when they auctioned off a portion of their extensive collection. They always regretted that decision, so had me make a replica of the that strip. While these are not the most optimal photos of it, It came out very close in feel and look of the original. One of the charming features it had, and one that many Plateau blanket strips share is one of the rosettes on the strip was not quite the same as the others. I see this feature often on antique strips.

Both men and women used blanket strips on the plateau. It was

considered one of the final items to put on for a well dressed appearance in public settings. I was also told by

the well known Nez Perce/Cayuse actress Elaine Miles that when riding in horse parades, her mother would

never let her ride without having a blanket strip across her lap. A Pendleton blanket just wouldn't do. Pride in appearance and doing it right is a important measure with native peoples.

Angela

Ute Bag

2010-03-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Still working away on the Plateau dress. Hope to have photos of it soon. In the mean time, I will put up some more items I have done in the past. Some of the photos are not optimal, but what ever is in life!

I made this Ute bag inspired by a old photo I came across. This is the same man in the photo I based the bag on, but a much better copy. The other was a bit blurry so I missed some of the details. I really hope to remake this bag again soon. I am really getting to love Ute work, as their tribal style is artistically very innovative. Many Indian groups, while all having beautiful art traditions also were very conservative and stayed within very defined boundaries of tribal style when creating work. The Ute's on the other hand experimented with many different regional influences. One can see elements of the Plains, Plateau and Basin (including War Shirt styles that are more of the Pueblo peoples) in their art. They also used bead colors and combinations that are pretty unique to Ute sensibilities. The more I see the more excited I get over it.

This bag is made using brain tanned buffalo and a variety of both antique and reproduction beads.

Angela

Well Shod

2010-03-16T08:47:00.001-07:00

Since I am working at a fever pace on a new Plateau dress and am not quite ready to post it on site yet, I thought I would start adding some items I have done in the past. These two pair of moccasins I made some time ago. The first pair I made for a Blackfoot friend of mine, who wanted them for use during the bundle ceremony's he participates in. A real honor for me to have done that, and know that these moccasins are used in the context they originated in. Contemporary Indian material (whether made today, or made 150 years ago) was always kept as clean as possible. Not the ground in dirty look that many think Indian material "should" look like. The man who owns these also gave me the pet name of "Inokaa Tssis Aki", which means "Shovel Girl". Hmmm, wonder where he got that impression?

This pair of moccasins are a Sioux style pair I made for a Lakota friend of mine. Done on brain tanned buffalo hide and sinew beaded, with buffalo rawhide soles. Again, a pair worn when he is involved in his ceremonial life. A honor to make them.

Angela

One down, more to tackle!

2010-02-19T11:42:00.001-08:00

Whew, finally finished!

I still haven't decided yet as to if I will bead the rim of the Cowgirl hat, but it will have to wait until I get the Plateau dress I have in the works done.

Angela

Almost there!

2010-02-13T12:30:00.000-08:00

Being the eternal optimist is maybe not the best mode of thinking when you do as much beadwork as I do! I always think projects will take less time than they do. So the last couple of years I have decided to log exactly how much time something takes me to do. Actual "Butt Time" as I call it. These little purses end up taking about 100 hours each. That does not count finding the materials (I have a huge collection of beads, and I use some pretty rare and hard to find colors on my work). This bag is no exception. All the beads used are charlotte "cut" or faceted beads. Many of these colors don't exist on the market to purchase anymore.

I work very long hours this time of year, so I can have more time off in the summer :-). I am hoping to show my two horses more than I have the last few years, so better to work when the weather is not so nice to ride in (And I am sure the horses appreciate that as well).

One of the Blogs I follow belongs to the artist David Lemon, who posts the progress of his works http://adayinthelifeofalemon.blogspot.com/ Fun to follow his processes, as well as educational. So, I thought I may do some of the same.

Well, back to beading!

Angela

Works in progress

2010-02-06T10:09:00.001-08:00

When one has a Blog, they really have a duty to post to it often. Since beadwork is not the quickest type of art medium one could use, I don't have new works on a daily or weekly basis. So, I am posting a few I am currently working on. I am especially excited to make this dress. I will post it's progress as I go along. And maybe dig out some photos of other works not yet posted here.

Stay tuned as they say!

PAINTED BUFFALO ROBES

2010-01-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

The recent cold weather that the US and much of Europe is experiencing lately reminded me of just how important the buffalo was (and still is) to the Plains peoples. It fed them, housed them, and kept them warm, and is a part of the spiritual well being of the people. So I thought I would show a few of the many buffalo robes I have painted in the past (Please pardon some of the less than optimal photos).

These robes are painted in the traditional manner: Mineral pigment and trade pigments, hide glue binders and I used sticks and "brushes" made from buffalo bone to paint with. Painting robes in this technique allows the paint to bind with the hide (Of course. all these robes are brain tanned) instead of the paint floating on the top. It acts more like a stain than a paint.

This style of robe is known as a "Feather Circle" which represents the sun, and also what a feather bonnet looks like from the back. This style of robe is a mans type.
This robe is based on a Ojibway robe that was collected in the 1790's and is housed in France. It represents the Thunderbird. Personally, I love that as old as it is, it also has a very modern art look to it.

This style of robe is known as a "Box and Border" robe. It is a woman's style. It is thought to represent the internal organs of the buffalo, which were a very important part of the diet of the Plains people.

Angela

Buffalo Gal' Hat

2009-12-31T11:16:00.000-08:00

I thought I would do a quick posting of a current work in progress. I am not sure yet if I am finished with it, as I am not convinced if I should or should not bead a rim on the hat. Sometimes, less is more.

It is beaded on a vintage hat, found in a pawn shop on the Yakima reservation. The beadwork is done using size 13 to 16 cut beads, along with antique micro beads. When I am satisfied I have finished this hat, I will take some photos that show the beadwork of a little better. Small projects like this (although it still took a week of full time beading) can be hard to know when enough is enough.

Happy New Year, and hope for all to have a Peaceful, Prosperous and Healthy life to come.

Angela

More Restoration Work

2009-11-27T15:54:00.001-08:00

While I am in the process of making some new works, I thought I would show a few more before/after shots of some of the beadwork I have restored. It can be tricky to do!

Angela

JACKSON SUNDOWN RIDES THE RAVEN!

2009-11-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

This bag was made for the upcoming December show at the Stonington Gallery in Seattle. The show is "Eagle/Raven". I decided to bead my all time favorite Indian Cowboy Jackson Sundown. The following is a brief biography:

The horse became a very important part of the Nez Perce people. Not only for hunting in buffalo country, but the horse was a warrior. Nez Perce learned to breed and work with horses. Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn (Jackson Sundown) from an early age worked and cared for horses. Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn was a famous all-around cowboy, horseman, and excellent rider and breeder of horses.
The Nez Perce War of 1877 began and Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn was 14 years old. Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn and Sam Tilden (Suhm-Keen) both were assigned to attend to the horses in the evening and herd the horses while the tribe decamped. After the Nez Perce war ended Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn retreated to Canada with a small band of cold, hungry and injured Nez Perce. It is believed that Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn stayed with the Sioux (Sitting Bull's camp in Canada) about two years, then crossed the border into Washington. He then went into Montana, married and had two daughters.
Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn became known as Jackson Sundown and developed a well know reputation as a skilled horseman.
In 1910, Jackson Sundown moved back to Idaho. And in 1912 he married Cecelia Wapshela, and they lived on her ranch located at Jacques Spur, six miles east of Lapwai.
Sundown became a well known all-round rodeo rider. Jackson Sundown was going to rodeos all over the northwest. In 1912 it is recorded that Jackson Sundown (at the age of 49) entered rodeo events in Canada and Idaho (Culdesac, Orofino, Kamiah and Grangeville). Sundown became a favorite at these rodeos because he was tall, lean and handsome, he wore his hair in braids tied under his chin, and he always wore bright colored shirts.
In 1914, Sundown was having much success as an all-around rodeo rider. Other contestants pulled out of rodeos because Sundown was riding and they knew he would win. As a result the rodeo managers decided to hire Sundown to exhibition ride for $50.00 a day to entertain the crowds.
In 1915, Sundown (at age 52) went to Pendleton Oregon and placed third. Sundown decided to retire from rodeo after the Pendleton Roundup. In 1916 a sculptor, Alexander Phimister Proctor (who was sculpting Sundown at the time), persuaded Sundown to enter the 1916 Roundup in Pendleton, Oregon and paid his entrance fee. Sundown made it to the saddle bronc semi-final round and then rode "Casey Jones" to move into the finals with two other cowboys (Rufus Rollen and Bob Hall). Rollen and Hall both had excellent rides. As Sundown eased onto Angel's back for his final ride, the blindfold was removed from Angel. Angel tried to whirl and leap to throw Sundown off. All Sundown's years as a child in the Wallowa's riding, and his career in Montana as a horseman, and his rodeo experience showed that day. It is said that Sundown became one with the horse. As Angel tried one last attempt at throwing Sundown off, Sundown fanned his hat at the horse. And then the signal of the end of the ride. Jackson Sundown, Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn, was the 1916 World Champion Bronc Rider.
Sundown made his last public appearance in 1917 for Governor Moses Alexander.
In 1923, Jackson Sundown died of pneumonia, he was buried at Slickpoo Mission Cemetery near Jacques Spur. Later a stone monument was placed there to remember the Nez Perce warrior and horseman Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn.

This bag is beaded on smoked brain tanned hide, using 13/0 cut beads and also size 16 antique micro beads. The gold beads are 24K gold plated. The frame is a antique French purse frame.

Jackson Sundown was a man to be admired and honored. And he could ride anything, even Raven if he wanted to!

SMALL BAGS AND ONE LONELY BRACELET!

2009-10-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

I thought I would make a few small things before locking myself away for the winter with my beads madly working away. The first bag is a modified copy of a Crow style one that was featured by a gallery in Santa Fe that sells antiquities. I normally don't like to make exact copy's of old material, but the original is such beautiful bag so I thought "Why not". I did make a few slight modifications to it (So am I guilty of copying?) I will use this to store some of my sewing implements in. The other large bag is made using a buffalo bladder. This style of bag is the one I based my fully beaded ones with the pony's on. It is one I have owed a friend for a long time and am happy to have finally finished it!

I plan on making one small thing between each of the large works I do, so I can have some more affordable items for those who might like them. And, it is fun to make something in a day vs. a month or more. Instant gratification has its place.

Angela

Tobacco Storage Bag

2009-10-07T06:52:00.001-07:00

These two recently completed bags are made for the purpose of storing tobacco and seeds that I grow every year. The type of tobacco is a variety used by natives for ceremony and offerings, which I give to friends for this purpose. The large bag is made from smoked brain tanned buffalo hide, the smaller from smoked brain tanned deer hide and both are sinew beaded using antique Italian seed beads.

Angela

Beaded Woman' Purse

2009-10-07T06:45:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I have posted anything on my Blog. I usually try to take a little time off at the end of summer, so I don't get much beading done. This is a recently completed commission. I came about when the woman who ordered this purse saw another I made being carried by a patron in Jackson Hole and she had to have one. I love when that happens! The best kind of advertisement.

Angela

MY DAYS AS A COWGIRL MODEL!

2009-08-08T11:46:00.001-07:00

Wow, I totally forgot about these until I was recently asked at my show in Jackson Hole if sometime I wouldn't mind posing as a artists model with my horse. I thought I would show some of the series of Cowgirl prints I posed for a few years ago. The dog was my dearly departed wolf hybrid MahQuah. Boy I miss him.

Not that I ever thought of myself as model material but it can fun to see what the artists perception of what you look like is. I can also say my hands are not that big (don't think I could do all the beading and quilling if they were!)

So maybe there will be more artists renditions down the line. Funnier things have been known to happen. On the other hand I don't think I will give up my day job just yet.

Angela

RESTORATION; BEFORE AND AFTER

2009-08-06T21:40:00.000-07:00

Since much of what I do is learned from restoring actual artifacts, I thought I would show a few before and after photo's of some of the items I have worked on. Each is it's own individual that presents its own set of problems and solutions to fix it. Having the right materials to do the restoration is also a huge factor to the success of the finished work. It is my best teacher.

I have also been fortunate to have worked on some major collections and material which has I believe made me a much better contemporary artist as well. The Grandmothers of old are still teaching us with the work they did.

Angela

A FEW MORE FROM THE NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL

2009-08-06T09:29:00.001-07:00

Thought I would show a few more photos from the folk festival. What a great time and really great people. A few others there were Shaun Collins (Shoshone) and his wife who were featured in the First Peoples market place. I had not seen Shaun for something like 15 years. He has the most infectious laugh you have ever heard.

I also was honored to have met some of the Real Bird family from the Crow Nation. This is Jack and Alma Real Bird. I rode with the Real Bird Family in the opening horse parade. I hope one day to make it to Crow Fair and parade there with these fine people.

Cappy and I also did a presentation on the horse gear used by the Plateau Peoples and also information about the Appaloosa horse. Cappy lo

ves to have people looking at him, and was a natural for this presentation

Of course the real pressure was on when the Growing Thunder family came to see my talk. Joyce, Juanita and Jessica Growing Thunder are some of the finest living contemporary beadwork artists today. They have won so many awards for their work at both the Santa Fe Indian market as well as the Heard Indian market. I want to be as good as they are w

hen I grow up! The woman in the white hat is Liz Deer who put the whole Montana Folk Section together and did a fantastic job. All of the participants were treated like royalty.

Angela

PLATEAU MT. LION AND OTTER SKIN BOW CASE

2009-08-06T08:53:00.000-07:00

The Plateau peoples made a type of bow case out of either Mt lion or otter skin hide that was considered a status symbol of their day, much like we now might own a expensive watch. They were worn and used on dress occasions and not for utility. The furs and materials used to make them were expensive even then.

This one I made is out of a Mt. Lion hide and beaded using antique beads as well as vintage square weave trade cloth. It is sinew sewn on brain tanned moose hide.

The quivers made out of Mt. Lion skin only have one flap while the ones made out of Otter skins have two. These are the tails of the animals behind the beaded flap. The red slashes on the flap represent bear claw slashes.

I theory it is said that one can make a bow case using one Mt. Lion skin hide or 3 otter hides, but I found that I ended up using two Mt. Lion skins to make this one. The fringe takes up quite a bit of hide. This bow case was a commission and is in a private collection.

Angela

KNIFE CASES

2009-07-29T11:51:00.001-07:00

I recently was contacted by a viewer of this blog asking if I made knife cases. Yes. The two on the left and center are Crow style and the one of the right is more of a hybrid of a central plains type (the rawhide is incised buffalo hide).

Angela

BLACKFEET PAINTED TIPI'S

2009-07-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Since I mentioned Elsie Grounds tipi, I thought I would show a few old photos of Blackfeet tipis in a historical setting. The first photo (taken in 1895) is a known as a "Lantern slide" by the photographer Walter McClintock. He visited the Blackfeet several times and did a series of photographs which he later used on the lecture circuit in both the US and Europe and also wrote about his experiences among the Blackfeet. One of his books "The old North Trail" is a must read classic. He even used his time among the Blackfeet as inspiration for a opera believe it or not. Noted scholar Steve Grafe has written a great book about McClintock "Lanterns on the Prairie" which I highly recommend to all who are interested in the Blackfeet people.

Angela

Elsie Ground's Blackfeet Horse Tipi

2009-07-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

Elsie Ground was a presenter at the Folk Festival as well, talking about her Blackfeet culture and this tipi. This type of tipi is considered very sacred among the Blackfeet, as the designs on them come from spiritual visions and dreams, and can only be used by those who have secured the rights to them either by family lines or ritual transfer. They are traditionally owned by the women of the tribe who are in charge of the tipis care and maintenance. These
sacred types of tipis have many rules of conduct attached to them so owning one is considered a high honor as well as a huge responsibility. There are few women today who live the traditional life and take on this huge cultural responsibility keeping the traditions like this horse tipi alive as Elsie Ground does.

Angela

Video of the National Folk Festival Indian Horse Parade

2009-07-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post a link that shows short clips of the National Folk Festivals opening ceremony of the Indian horse parade. http://billingsgazette.com/app/videos/?id=5017974

I heard that a Indian horse parade had not occurred in Butte for over 100 years until we did this one.

Angela

NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL INDIAN HORSE PARADE

2009-07-15T20:56:00.001-07:00

Here's a few photos taken of the Indian Horse Parade that opened the National Folk Festival in Butte Montana.

I was asked to lead the horse parade which I take as a great honor. I was fortunate to ride with members of both the Blackfeet and Crow nations. The other riders who participated in the parade were Jack Real Bird and Henry Real Bird of the Crow Nation, Dannie Edwards, Sannie Mad Plume and Albertine Crow Shoe of the Blackfeet Nation. There were more who were supposed to ride in the parade, but they had a breakdown on the way to Butte with a trailer full of horses and couldn't make it. So we were a small but sweet group.

It was a long two day drive to Montana, and Cappy was ready to go when we arrived. But the PRCA rodeo was also in town (we stayed at the Vigilante Rodeo grounds) so I was unable to use the arena to ride him before the parade. Needless to say, he was as tightly wound as a three day clock by the time I got on him to ride the streets of Butte. The festival officials asked if I would lead the parade. And, they asked me to ride slow. Hard to do on a horse that likes to move out, and has twice the stride of the little Spanish Barbs and Buffalo runners the Blackfeet showed up with, so I held him back hard (meaning I was on his face much more than I like to be). We rode about 10 blocks from the assembly area, when we crested the hill what awaited us was a sea of people waiting for us to ride thru. My mind said "What the hell have you got yourself into now?" But no turning back, so into the crowd I led the parade. We had to do two laps before we assembled in front of the grand stand. What I saw was a very excited crowd with some un-savvy horse people in the mix who crowded the path, so I had about two feet width to get thru. Public consumption of alcohol is much different in Butte than any place I have been so many in the crowd were well lubricated (Alcohol is not allowed at Indian events so maybe this is why it stuck in my mind. First time in a horse parade I have been saluted with up raised beer cups!). I saw old folks, kids, baby strollers and the like before me, and hoped that Cappy listened to my aids and got thru it. If he went sideways, we could have taken out at least 20 or more in one shot! As hot as he was he handled it like a champ. And all the other horses did the same. I was impressed with those little Indian horses who lives are more sedate and less exposed to public venues than Cappy's is. They were very good about all the crazy energy and excitement. My "Mr. Experienced" was probably the hottest one of the group!

We finished our laps thru the crowd, and assembled to huge applause in front of the main event stage and all the dignitaries and celebrities on hand for the event. We then exited the crowd with one more loop (on which I had a blind man blocking my path. I was able to side pass him and miss him by about 6 inches) and rode back thru the streets of Butte to the staging area. As crazy as some of the moments were at the parade, I have to add that the organizers of the Montana Traditions section (really all of the festival) were very helpful and professional. We were treated like royalty the whole time we participated in the festival. Both Liz Deer and Paul Raczka pulled out all the stops in putting this together which I will bet was not a easy thing to do. Kind of like herding cats they say.

I later found out that the crowd was over 47,000 strong. I am not sure I will ever top that one. Cappy has done many things since he was born, including Cutting Buffalo and Cattle, parades, showing in events from Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Team Sorting and is a Champion Dressage horse and also just being your average trail horse. But this event I will guess really tested what he was made of. You couldn't give me a million dollars for him at the moment!

Angela

ASTORIA FINE ARTS SHOW

2009-07-08T07:04:00.001-07:00

On the run between venues, but I thought I would show some of the remaining available work from my current show at Astoria Fine Art Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Here's the link http://www.astoriafineart.com/

While family holds down the fort, I'm on to Montana!

Angela

NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL AND THE STORY OF "CAPPY THE APPY"

2009-06-26T07:29:00.001-07:00

I thought that since I show him in many of the gear photos on this blog, I would tell the story of my horse Cappy the Appy! First off, as I mentioned before, we will be appearing at the National Folk Festival in Butte, Montana July 10th thru the 12th. Here's the link http://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/2009/festivalinfo_montanafolklife.php

Cappy is the son of the horse I am on in my profile photo. Her name was Chelsea, and she was a $230 slaughter house rescue (a $10 bid over the meat poundage price). At the time of her rescue she was 3, had a two week old colt by her side, was unbroke and starving to death.

Nobody wanted her. What a amazing little horse she turned out to be. Kind, sweet but a heart

like a lion and more try than any horse I had ever owned. She was sent to a top notch cow horse trainer, which was money well spent. I used her for everything from English riding, turn back for cutters to team penning, where she won many a paycheck and trophy buckles. Not the fastest or even the prettiest horse, but always doing the best she possibly could. When she started having some lameness issues (previous injury before I got her. We think she possibly fell off a bridge and did the splits with her hind end) my vet suggested I breed her after we exhausted all other forms of therapy. I normally would have never bred a "mutt" as a registered horse costs the same as a grade one to take care of, but I loved that little mares spirit so much, I did. I was willing to take the gamble, as I really wanted a riding replacement for her. Cappy is the result (And it solved her lameness issues as well. She had many more useful years left in her. She retired as a pet to a beautiful vineyard where she lived out her final days, loved by all to the end).

Cappy is by blood

Appaloosa, Quarte

r Horse, Thurobred and possibly Morgan. But by breed registry, I was lucky and was able thru the Appaloosa horse club to get FULL papers under the hardship registry (One Appaloosa registered parent, gelded or spade if a mare, and

exhibiting 3 or more of the 4 characteristics of the Appaloosa breed). I can show him head to head in the Appaloosa breed shows!

Cappy has been a dream horse. He was broke as a Reined Cow Horse, and also had Cutting training. He even cuts buffalo. I used him to do Team Sorting. But because of his size (16 1/2 hands) and the way he moves, he was switched at age 5 to Dressage where he excelled. Cappy was trained and shown in Dressage by my neighbor Kandis Horton of RozeEl stables (Here's their link http://roze-elstables.com/about.htm ) She did a great job with him using kind non-abusive training (And no draw reins, my pet peeve). They were winners at every show they ever entered.

Cappy has also been a photography model, a "Santa's horse" for kids at Christmas, does trail rides, parades, and loves to be the center of attention. Much of the gear I show on my site I just carry down to the pasture for a fitting with no restraints. The same thing sends my cutting horse mare to the far end of the pasture. He loves humans, as he has never been given a reason not to.

Angela

Crow Style Floral Vest

2009-06-18T10:39:00.001-07:00

I made this vest inspired by the Crow beaded jackets that were known as "Scout" jackets, and were often seen worn by folks like those who performed in the Wild West shows, and also those who contracted out as scouts for the

military during the Indian wars. This vest is made using brain tanned deer hide and is beaded using both antique Italian beads and carefully chosen reproduction colors. It is lined with a 1870's period calico cloth and trimmed with trade wool. Often the old scout coats were painted with yellow ocher paint, but I didn't on this one (the hide was so nice I just couldn't do it). The buttons are Indian head pennies. Many tribes did and still do floral beadwork, but have developed their own styles and aesthetics. Often folks not versed in beadwork assume floral work like this is from the Great Lakes area. There is a long established floral beadwork tradition among the Crows, Nez Perce (and surrounding Plateau Groups) the Shoshone (and other Great Basin groups) as well as many of the Plains and Prairie tribes. Each group put its own distinct style to the art form.

Angela

Crow Woman's Beaded Robe

2009-05-29T08:18:00.001-07:00

This style of beaded robe is often referred to as a "Wedding" robe. It is a style of beaded robe unique to the Crow tribe. Other groups also made striped robes, often quilled. They were usually beaded on Elk hides.

This robe was made using a very large brain tanned elk hide, and was beaded using both antique and carefully chosen reproduction colors. The dangles on the bottom are elk toes with a trade cloth insert, and old trade beads.

Angela

Southern Plains Moccasins or the ones that got way from Donna Karan!

2009-05-27T08:46:00.001-07:00

The following story is absolutely true. I made both of these pairs of high top Southern Plains style moccasins for myself. The first and slightly more elaborate pair with the multiple brass spots were bought off my feet when I had a show of my work in Sun Valley Idaho at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Humanities. As a artist and craftsman, in such a situation one always thinks to themselves "Well, I can always make another pair". So, I sold them and then did make another pair, the ones with the silver buttons on the sides. A bit later, I happened to be at Pilchuck glass school for a private Native Artists retreat, which was mostly composed of carvers, and me the lone beadworker. I was working quietly away when I noticed two people come into the room whom I did not know. The first was a Greek God, whom later turned out to be famous glass artist William Morris.(Here's a link to his website http://www.wmorris.com/ ) The other was a very well dressed and obviously well heeled woman. They visited with the woodcarvers for a while, when all of a sudden my bro Joe David yelled across the room, "Hey NaShook, these folks want to see you portfolio". So, I gladly showed them my work, when I asked, "I have some items in my truck if you would like to see them. Photos are one thing, but first hand look at quality is the best way to judge". So I brought in a few personal items I had with me, including the re-made moccasins. The woman immediately asked "How much for the moccasins" I said, "Oh, you don't want these, they are dirty and worn" She then said, "Thats OK, How much" I said "Oh, they wont fit you I think" She said, "I don't care. I don't want to wear these, I want to look at them" She kept on with the questions, but in my mind I thought "The cobblers children have no shoes. I don't want to sell these, as the buttons on them were made by my friend Victoria Adams as a gift and when will I ever make myself another pair" So, I turned the woman down. I could tell she was not used to being declined, but she was very cordial about the denial of her request. We talked for a while more and when she was parting she asked for my business card. We were shaking hands when I handed it to her and then asked " I didn't catch your name". She got the funniest grin on her face, and started to squeeze my hand. She then in a very proud and dignified statement said "I'm Donna Karan!" Man, did I burst out laughing, part because I just turned her down, and part because I felt like maybe I made a very stupid move not selling those moccasins. But, I still have and wear them, and maybe she still remembers me as that idiot who did not sell her moccasins to her!

Both pair are made using brain tanned deer hide, painted with natural pigments. The beads are hand faceted Czech and Italian beads. The bottoms on both pair are hard sole rawhide. The side fringes of twisted hide have mescal beans on them.

Angela

Crow Style Saddle Horn Bags

2009-05-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

I made these bags as a modern update to a old style functional type bag the Cowboys used. The horn bag is a great way to keep handy items one uses often while on the horse. I made this set using two different beaded panel images, because I felt it adds much more interest, and you only see one side at a time anyway. Both panels are based on classic Crow design from mirror bags and also cradle board tops. They are constructed using very heavy brain tanned moose hide, and a combination of both antique and carefully chosen reproductions beads. They are finished off with a wool trim and old cotton calico cloth lining.

Angela

My work box

2009-05-22T14:03:00.001-07:00

I have always loved seeing what is in other craftsfolk's tool boxes. So, I thought I would show what is in one of mine. It is a gathering of items I made, parts of old artifacts, tools and small gifts from loving friends. The box itself is a Sioux type painted rawhide one. The birchbark bowl is one I collected in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The old beadwork is a browband off a Plateau Bonnet, parts of a Ojibway bridle browband, a old bundle of spun sinew, some old quilled dangles off of what I have no idea, and a bone needlecase made for me by a old friend along with other small beaded items.

The quillholders are made from buffalo bladders, and I usually make one every time I do a quilled garment. The pouch with the quillwrapped horsehair rosette was a "Ooop's" that didn't come out like I wanted for a project, so I saved it and recycled it into a bag. The awls are all gifts, the one with the large antler and pewter handle from my friend Ken Kosloff, and the carved ivory horse head one made and gifted to me by my Bro. Joe David. The sweet little carved cedar Salish canoe was made and gifted by Pike Powers. There is also a old Mandan single quilled moccasin given to me by a restoration client. The two fleshing knives were found in a old Indian camp in the McKenzie river in Canada.

Just simple treasures, but always sweet to look at and remind me of those I cherish.

Angela

Nez Perce and Crow War Shirts

2009-05-22T09:33:00.001-07:00

Crow and Nez Perce war shirts are often grouped into the same bunch, because they are very close in style and both tribes did so much intertribal trading that when these articles were collected, they could have been made by one group but were currently in the hands of the other so were labeled with the tribe who had them at the time of acquisition.
Both of these shirts are made using Brain Tanned Antelope hides for the body's. They are both made using a variety of antique and carefully chosen reproduction beads. The drops are a combination of human and horse hair, as well as ermine hides. The painting on them is with mineral pigments. Both shirts are sinew sewn.

The man in the photo is Homli who was chief of the Walla Walla tribe. I had misidentified him earlier, and am very happy that I have friends in the know who look out for my errors. So, Thank You Georg Barth in Germany (All should get his excellent book; Native American Beadwork, which is the best book I have read on how to learn the beading techniques used by the Indians ) and also Steve Grafe at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage museum. He also has several books out, including his newest, Lanterns on the Prairie which is all about Walter McClintock's time and photo's among the Blackfeet. Here's a link for a Youtube trailer about his book and exhibit; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e9MWMwEQh0

Thank You both!

Angela

Bill Holm's Beaded Hat

2009-05-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

I made this hat for Bill Holm, who is in my opinion one of the most important and knowledgeable Indian art scholars alive today. And, he is also a master artisan from Northwest Coast carving to quill-working and beadwork as well as a painter. The hat is shown on "Super Ken" a full sized, fully articulated mannequin that Bill made and is his never tiring never complaining model for the paintings he does. The hat itself is one Bill found 50 years ago or so. I beaded it using antique Italian beads I purchased from www.Beadmatch.com. The old photos shows some Crows "Stylin" in their beaded hats, vests and gauntlet gloves.

Angela

Ute War Shirt

2009-05-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

I made this Ute Style war shirt based on examples in both museum collections as well as old photo's. The Ute's as well as some of the other Southern Plateau/Great Basin groups of peoples made a unique type of shirt combining a trade wool body with hide sleeves. This shirt is made using saved list wool, brain tanned deer for the sleeves, bibs and fringe and red wool trim on the cuffs. The beads are a combination of antique Italian as well as carefully chosen reproduction colors. The paint used is mineral pigments.

Angela

"Good Medicine"

2009-05-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

When I get a little free time, I like to make medicines for my friends and family. These are a few I have made for some of them. The amulets with the multiple fringes and beads hanging off of them are "Iniskims" or rock medicines, and the two little pouches in the photo with the white background are made to hold Iniskims. The little fetish that I have shown both sides of (blue w/horse track on one side, feather image on the other) is a umbilical fetish. This one actually holds the umbilical of my Appy horse Cappy. Sometimes I just love working on sweet little presents for my loved ones.

Angela

National Folk Festival

2009-05-04T07:21:00.001-07:00

I thought I would mention that my Appaloosa "Cappy" and I have been asked by the Smithsonian's National Folk Festival to appear there, demonstrating 19th century Plateau Horse gear. Cappy will also be the example of the Appaloosa horse for the festival. The festival is in Butte, Montana and runs July 10th thru 12th . The focus this year is "The culture of the horse" Here's the link to the festivals website; http://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/2009/index.php

It promises to be a busy July for us I think. Cappy is a very outgoing horse, and really loves humans and performing, so he will be right in his element. Not sure about me though! I also will be riding in the big horse parade and doing quillwork demonstrations during the weekend.

Angela

Cayuse Horse Mask

2009-04-12T17:08:00.000-07:00

This mask is one I have made for my show I will be having in July at Astoria Fine Arts Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Here is the website for those who may have a interest in the show; http://www.astoriafineart.com/events.htm

It is based on classic Plateau Horse masks, although I have taken my own artistic license with it. The cloth is selvage edged trade wool, the beads are antique Italian, the fur ermine, the horns split buffalo and the feather spray is pheasant tail. I hope to post more work I have been doing soon. Beadwork is not the quickest artwork to do I am afraid.

Angela

Plateau Beaded Cowboy Hats

2009-02-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple of many Cowboy hats I have beaded. This type of item was pretty hot stuff in its day. There were and still are many Indian Cowboys in the Northwest, and it had quite a bit of cultural cross influence. You still see quite a bit of Cowboy theme beadwork with the Yakama, Umatilla, Nez Perce and other Plateau groups. The floral beaded hat is beaded out of antique faceted beads. The eagle hat is made from modern Czech faceted beads.

Angela

Quill Wrapped Horse Hair Moccasins

2009-02-06T18:46:00.000-08:00

This pair of moccasins is made using the same quilling technique as on the QWHH war shirt. This style would have been found around the Missouri River Tribes Ca. 1830's. Also a possibility of being Crow, but as with much of the early Pony beaded material, collection history is scant so much of the information that could identify the distinct tribal styles of the period is wanting. I beaded and quilled these on smoke brain tanned moose hide, using sinew. The beads are antique Italian pony beads, and the dyes used on the quillwork are a combination of natural and some modern dye.

Moccasins

2008-12-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

Here's a few pairs of moccasins I just finished, and mailed off today for Christmas presents. The first pair are Southern plains style. They are beaded in old time colors, and have yellow ocher and prussian blue trade pigment paint on them. The other pair are a early Northern Plains style, with quilled keyhole centers, and are beaded with antique pony beads using sinew.

The center bag is one I made a little while ago, and is a Plateau floral style, using antique cut glass beads in what is known as "Contour' beaded background. These belt pouches are a popular item even today with the Plateau peoples.

Happy Holidays,

Angela

Crow Boys War Shirt

2008-12-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

This shirt is one I just finished, and will be included in a show I will be having in July, 2009 at the Jackson Hole Wyoming gallery Astoria Fine Art. The show will be in conjunction with the fine painters Ed Kucera and Ken Laager.

This shirt is made from very small brain tanned antelope hides, which retain the legs and tails. The beadwork is made using sinew sewn antiques beads, and the drops on the shirt are whole ermines and horse hair. There is a excellent article wrote by Paul Raczka about these types of articles made for children in the Summer 1979 American Indian Art magazine, titled "Mini'poka", Children of Plenty. It details the concept around the "Outstanding or favorite" children. These children were often outfitted very lavishly with clothing and ceremonial items that were made for them. They also were inducted and taught many of the ceremony's important to the tribes. I suggest looking up Paul's article, as it is very in depth about explaining this complex subject. This shirt is made with that concept in mind.

Angela

Urban "NdNz"

2008-12-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

This shirt is one I made years ago, and resurfaced when I was contacted by the current owner of it to do some repairs before it was shipped off to it's current home in Switzerland. So, I had a little fun with it. The Shirt is a Sioux one, and is being worn by two very famous North West Coast artists. The first photo is of Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary posing as the "Sad Urban Indian" The second photo is of my friend and mentor, the master Nuu-chah-nulth carver Joe David, posing as the "Angry Urban Indian. I am sure that someday these photo's will come back to haunt these guys!

Angela

Quill Wrapped Horse Hair War Shirt

2008-11-14T10:21:00.000-08:00

This shirt I made is done using a very rare type of porcupine quillwork, where the quill is wrapped around a bundle of horse hair. It was not a widely spread type of technique among the tribes, and more or less died out until revived and taught to several people, including myself by Bill Holm. While there is still much debate among scholars as to who did this type of work and where it originated, a majority of historic examples were collected from the Plateau peoples such as the Nez Perce and Cayuse.

This shirt was made by me using brain tanned mt. sheep hides, brain tanned antelope for the fringe, brain tanned buffalo for the quilled strips base and bibs, and the quillwork itself is naturally dyed and sewn using elk sinew. This project took over 300 hours to make, and is in the collection of Wayne Badovinus, who has collected many items of my making, and has been a very good friend and supporter of my art.

Beaded Gauntlet Gloves

2008-11-14T09:36:00.000-08:00

These are a few pairs of gloves I was commissioned to make for the George Stroemple collection. Gauntlet gloves were a part of Indian dress, especially with the Plateau Tribes. They took a item of Non-Native clothing, and made it their own. These gloves are made using smoked brain tanned hide, and beaded in size 13 cut glass beads. Beaded Gauntlet Gloves also became associated with both historic rodeo fashion, as well as Wild West Show wear.

These two photo's show Plateau men wearing their finely beaded gauntlet gloves, as part of their "Dress Up" or formal clothing. Normally, Indians did not wear such fine and expensive clothing for day to day use (Nor do we today), but since photography was rarer and also very expensive to do in the 19th century, the images of Indians tend to show them wearing mainly their finest clothing. They took great pride in themselves and when they appeared in public they appeared looking as best they could. Their dress not only reflected on themselves, but their families, and their tribe.

Angela

Rodeo Beadwork

2008-11-14T07:49:00.000-08:00

Many folks would not think that Rodeo is a big deal in Indian country. Many tribes did, and still do participate in rodeo. It inspired a tradition of pictorial beadwork that represented scenes from some of the famous rodeo still happening today such as the Pendleton Roundup, and the Omak Stampede and Suicide race. It is a way for the vibrant horse nations to keep their traditions and ties to the past days of horse raids and warrior traditions.

This is a vest I beaded, based on the illustrator Joe Mora's drawings. Joe Mora grew in the Vaquero tradition, and knew from his heart what he was portraying. The bronc rider is the famous Jackson SunDown, champion Indian bronc rider and winner of the Pendleton Round up all around title.

The vest is beaded using small (size 14 to 16) antique beads on smoked brain tanned hide. The buttons are sterling "Bohlin" style with longhorns on them.

This bag is based on a photo of the famous Cowgirl "Prairie Rose" Henderson. She and Cowgirls like her were women before their time, competing head to head with men in Rodeo competitions. And, man did they have style! This bag is beaded with cut glass beads, including sterling silver and 24k. gold plated beads for accents. It is beaded on ocher painted brain tanned hide, and the frame is a antique French one.

Angela