Since I was honored last summer with a place at Vista House in Oregon, I have been on a hiatus. I moved, twice, and then had several family concerns. After this landslide of things, I pretty much closed up shop. I am sincerely sorry for not being around as much.
It has been about a year, and I am starting to get the hang of doing more than just one or two of these things again. This month, I have done two shows. I had a blast at each. I think I am officially off Haitus, and will probably be opening my Etsy shop again soon. Dependent on how difficult my homework is (oh, I went back to school, too), I should be able to create & post more often. Be on the lookout for more artist features!
If you have been following me on social media (links here and here), you would find that I have been creating more, and created a few new designs. Remember the snow-people? Well, I have decided this year to make penguins. Please meet Perry and Gunter. My coworkers, friends, and family enjoy naming them. :)
Here is Perry, my second-ever penguin
Please say "Hello" to Gunter, my fourth iteration of the penguin design.
I have decided on the next few shows, and will be traveling to areas in the Pacific Northwest. The next one will be New Year's Eve, heading to Portland for the annual NYE Sobriety Powwow. This is a clean & sober event that goes almost until the ball drops! It will be great.
In my last blog post, I casually tossed out the name of the film Imprint. I realize now that some of you, my faithful readers, may have never heard of or seen the movie. I have thus decided to educate you.
The film was released in 2007, and was the 32nd Annual American Indian Film Festival Winner in the Best Film category. It tackles the difficult issues of minorities in the current white American society and spirituality in the modern world, but doesn't focus on it. It instead focuses on the occult, ghostly images that the main character encounters. What is this film, then? A review by "Variety" on the cover calls it "an old-fashioned ghost story with a Native American twist." And it is, a ghost story. A compelling story with excellent cinematography. And they actually speak in a real Native American language!
I will admit to not liking thriller, ghost, or horror films, as my friends can attest to, but I enjoyed this one. It takes place where many Native American films do: the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. It follows the journey of Shayla Stonefeather, played by Tonantzin Carmelo. After a trying court case, Shayla returns home to Pine Ridge to find apparitions and hauntings, which she believes to be connected to her missing brother. After that? Well, you will just have to see. I really don't want to spoil it for you. I want you to take the adventure for yourself.
Better yet? Watch the trailer.
Interested yet? I sure hope so. And I hope you enjoy the film when you watch it.
The new year has been very busy for me thus far. Actually, since my last post I have been going going going. I was a vendor at the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest's New Year's Eve Sobriety Powwow. I didn't really make much money, and I am cool with it. I really enjoyed seeing people and meeting with friends that I haven't seen in a long time. However, that is not what I wanted to chat about.
For Christmas my mother-in-law gifted the family a film called Older Than America, a movie featuring Native-American actors and about the Native people. We had never seen it before, but there are a good number of great actors.
Image courtesy of Google.com
The lineup includes Tantoo Cardinal, Adam Beach, and Wes Studi, all well-respected Native American actors. Tantoo Cardinal has been in Dances with Wolves, Smoke Signals (playing Arlene), and a great deal of other films. For her full filmography and bio, click on her name. It will direct you to the IMDB page for her. You may recognize Adam Beach from Smoke Signals (playing Victor), Wind Talkers, and the recent Cowboys & Aliens. Dances with Wolves also featured actor Wes Studi. He also starred as Sphinx in Mystery Men, and can be found in a variety of films as both a comedic character and a serious one.
The film was well-done, with a compelling story, wonderful cinematography, and relate-able characters. Older Than America also discusses some very sensitive, difficult subjects that, quite honestly, some people wouldn't touch with a ten-meter pole. Yes, I said ten meters. There are people who wish to deny the existence of some of these issues.
Issue One: "Indian Boarding Schools." These schools were where woefully misguided people believed that it was better to "Kill the savage, save the man" in order to civilize and save children. These children were taken from their homes, their clothing burned, forbidden to use their Native tongue, and suffered physical, emotional, spiritual, sexual, and inter-generational trauma. The film takes into account both oral and written histories of the events that occurred in the schools.The inter-generational trauma still exists in the minds and beliefs of Native Americans youth today. The elders remember it. These schools were mandatory for Native American children as recently as 1975. Yes, that is the late 20th century!
Issue Two: Medical diagnosis within the ideals and confines of the Native American spirituality. Commonly, when discussing a variety religions, including many recognized "world religions," it is difficult to say whether visions and visitations are symptoms of a psychological disorder or not. I won't give anything in the film away, but it does question the balance between reality, mental illness, and spiritual encounters.
It has a similar feel to Imprint (never heard of it? Click the link). It isn't a depressing film. For a story going into a painful and difficult history, it is actually quite uplifting. Like I said, it is a strong, compelling story. I would highly advise giving it a watch.
I decided, getting ready for the upcoming Powwow (the day before Halloween, of course!), that I should probably explain it to those of you who don't know. I am presuming most of you do know about powwows, but, just in case, I am gonna tell you anyway.
At the most basic level it is a gathering of Native Americans (and non-Natives) in festivities that include drumming, singing, dancing, vendors, contests, raffles, and food... But it really is so much more than that. I guess you can kind of relate it to a giant family reunion. Every time I go to this particular powwow I get to see my cousins, my uncle, and some of the "family" that the warm community of team members and vendors has created. There are a number of vendors that I quite enjoy visiting with. I also have run the powwow at WU for the four years, and thus am very attached to the people running the powwow.
There are a few important people to note at the powwow, besides the people putting it on. They are really important, but generally easy to spot and you know their role already.
First is the Emcee. This person gives the announcements, explains what is going on, and often tells stories that enhance the attendee's experience. This person also tends to joking with those present to keep them engaged in what is going on. Not only does the Emcee tell you what is going on, they let you know when things are not allowed. Not even people putting on a powwow are allowed to photograph or record some of the special songs and dances, so please listen for when you should refrain from such things. They will also invite you to join in, so please do.
Second is the Arena Director. This person makes sure that everything on the dance floor goes according to plan, according to tradition, and makes it all run smoothly. He (or she) works in tandem with the Emcee. When the Arena Director tells you to do something, you really should listen.
Third is a group: The drummers and singers. They provide the beat that drives the entire event. One thing about Native drum-beats: they are supposed to mimic the heartbeat. I am totally serious. If you listen, you will notice your heart beats in time with the drum, your movements fall into step, and you miss the music when it stops. Listen to this song and you'll see. It is even greater at the event when the music echoes across the venue and wraps itself around you. It is quite the experience.
Four: The Dancers. This is one category I tend to fall in. These are the people wearing the fancy outfits. We call them our "Regalia," and it is like dress-up clothes for dancing. There are various categories of dancing, for both men and women. There are also "intertribal" dances, which is where you get to join in! Good thing is, no one cares if you don't know the steps, just follow along and enjoy the experience.
Five: Vendors! I tend to fall into this category. These people make amazing things! Even better than just being able to look, you can buy. Not only that, but they are willing to trade, and sometimes willing to work with you on a price. We really aren't a bad lot. I have found a lot of friends in the vendor circles, including my "Tribe in a box" family on Etsy. They have been inspirational. These people commiserate with you when there is bad, when you are sick, or when you are sad. They help bring a smile to your face as they tell you about births, weddings, sales, and good days. They always wish you the best, pray for you (if you want it/need it), and are there for you. I have found this at almost every powwow I have been to (and on my Etsy community). Here is a pic of Mother-In-Law at the booth. Her stuff is all the pretty beadwork; the baskets are mine.
A vendor at powwow who has graciously allowed me to use her photograph.
Six: YOU! Yes, you are one of the most important people at the powwow. It is difficult to share belief systems and cultures when there aren't people to share them with. People in my family are always looking to expand our circles, make new friends, and create lasting friendships.
Seven: Staff and volutneers. Yes, they are as much a part of it as anyone else. These people tend to be behind the scenes, and don't stick out as much as the other six categories. Still, without them, there would be no Powwow. They plan the location, work with the various other groups, set the place up, and clean the entire location after the event. Please take the time to thank powwow staff and volunteers when you see them. They put a lot of hard work into it.
Like the synopsis? Well, here is a powerpoint that goes a little more in-depth, and even gives a little bit of a lesson on powwow etiquette. I have used it to explain powwows to a variety of people from differing backgrounds and walks of life. It even works for people new to English (I have given this at a Japanese exchange school and they seem to understand pretty darn well.) There is a longer version that goes into the different types of dancing (feel free to email me to request a copy).
I would love to meet you at the event. Please check out this flier. I hope you can attend.
NOTE: All external sources are credited where credit is due. Thanks to Youtube and various photographers online for the video and some of the images. The powerpoint is my creation, and is linked to an upload on my other blog.
After the long silence, it is time for another post. I have been job-hunting and not keeping up for you, dear reader. I am sorry to have left you behind. I have been thinking of another great friend of mine on Etsy, and think I will share some of her "stuff" with you. Her name on Etsy is "Soulful Stuff" and she is a member of my group-family there. She has also been a good friend off the sale site. You should click on her shop name and go see her Etsy profile. She crafts all sorts of things, from quilting to photography, from jewelry to other handicrafts. A woman of many talents! An boy is she full of soul.
Anywho, here are some really awesome items I found in her shop. (If the listing is no longer available, it sold. But you should cruise around her shop and see if there is something else you like, too. :D )
"Proud to be Cherokee bracelet"
Here is a beautiful bracelet honoring the Cherokee people. It has a lovely array of colors and bead types. Here is an excerpt from the listing (which you can see the full listing and buy the item here).
Hand-carved syllabary letters spell out "Tsa-la-gi" in Cherokee language. The reverse side of the focal bead features a pyrographed eagle feather. Eagles fly higher than any other bird, and symbolize our connection with Creator. The 7.5" bracelet features Cherokee corn beads which were said to have grown along the Trail of Tears as a result of the many tears shed along the way. Glass seed beads are added in traditional colors.
I thought it was a very heartfelt description and loved reading about the corn beads. Such pretty colors!
Item number two, handpicked from among the hundreds of items that Karynlee has for sale, is a photograph that I have come to love. As a basket-weaver myself (though in a different style and with modern materials), it resonated with me. There is a strength to weaving, a spirituality to the creative process. I would love, someday, to be able to create beautiful baskets with the more traditional materials.
"Emma's Hands--Weaving the Wisdom"
This particular image is named "Emma's Hands--Weaving the Wisdom." Whomever this Emma is, I would like to meet her as well. The listing actually holds two images of Emma weaving the basket, and you get to pick which image you would like. The listing for it is here. It is available in three sizes, matted, and ready for you to frame. For more information, please see the listing!
So many pretty things, what could be next? Why, of course it would be a quilt. I specifically named that she did quilting, didn't I? Yes, yes I did.
"Anasazi Quilt"
This is a quilt that spoke volumes to me when I was cruising through her shop. It speaks to the past as well as to the present and future. It gives a glimpse of a way of life and leads the mind to wonder. The quilt was inspired by glyphs carved long, long ago. The listing (found here) gives a history lesson on the title of the piece, and the way the artist went about creating it. Oh, did I mention that it was hand-quilted? A lot of talent there.
This quilt really does have a sense of spirit and soul about it. I would encourage you to look at the listing itself and learn about the quilt, where it came from, and what is in store for the lucky buyer of the item.
So there you have it, a wonderful woman with a shop full of soul-infused wonders. You really should go check out her shop. Right now. Seriously, I mean it. Something may speak to you. You might find the item you were looking for. Or, as in my case, you may find a wonderful friend.
Hey!
It has been spring-y and sunny lately (though today there was a downpour) and it made me think of all the pretty things that I could be wearing in warm weather were I to try to dress up. These are the items I thought of.
Yes, this is my own necklace/choker. It is a really nice piece with a really lovely purple to it that makes me think of all the gorgeous flowers in bloom right now. There are purple hyacinths blooming and those are my absolute favourite flowers! Though not quite the same color as the beads, here is a picture of my favourite flower: the hyacinth in a lovely purple.
I hope you will agree that those are an inspiring flower. If not, that is okay. As a friend once told me, "Opinions are like noses, everyone has one and they are all different.
So after I looked at the pretty choker with purple that I am posting, I decided to take a look around at other pretty jewelry and items on etsy. There are an abundant amount of purple things, but I tend to like featuring artists that I find particularly interesting in my blog. Here are a few things that I liked and hope you will enjoy. It is an arrangement of things that, while not all jewelry, fit the color scheme of the day and the festive spring mood that I am in (despite the downpour I was in earlier).
The first is a floral-based design on a hairclip. I have stolen the following quote from the person's etsy listing for the piece and am including it here because she can describe better than I the design, background and care of such a lovely item.
"This one is a personal favorite of mine! I have one of my own and it's one of my favorite things to wear. It's a super adorable blend of colors - pale violet petals with barely blue tips, sea foam green leaves and an iridescent crystal center, all mounted on a black french clip.
Every single petal is made of habotai silk - hand dyed, hand folded and hand mounted by me with love, care and skill. The bloom is just over 1.5" wide and the French clip is about 1.5" long.
---Kanzashi Background & Care--- Kanzashi are hair ornaments worn in traditional Japanese hair styles, most often seen adorning geisha or maiko. Flower kanzashi are called 'hana kanzashi' and the traditional technique used to make this type is called 'tsumami'. All of my kanzashi are made using as many traditional Japanese techniques and materials as is possible. The few modern materials I use are only done so to make the assembly stronger for more liberal wear. Even though these Kanzashi are tougher than they look and hold up very well, they are still a bit delicate by nature and shouldn't be worn out in the rain or high humidity."
As I was stumbling and bumbling across the site, I noticed a really neat feather ear-cuff that I kind of really want but wonder when I would ever wear... It is a gorgeous purple and very vibrant. Looks like a lot of fun!
I don't think the purple cushion is included in the purchase, but if funds turn up this feather ear cuff may end up being mine. The shop has a lot of other really shiny, pretty things in a variety of beautiful colours. I picked this one because it looks amazing and I want it and the color happens to be the color of the day of this blog entry.
So looking at feathers and purple, I stumbled across this really funky and fun hair clip that I also want.
And what is not to want? Brightly colored, shiny, and definitely different, this piece is amazing! It says in the listing it is custom order and you have to specify if you want to wear it on the left or the right because I guess it only goes one way. Or at least by design.
Another person who makes a number of pretty and fun things to wear using feathers. It is a really pretty piece, and the others are too. This artist has everything from headbands to earrings to hairclips and more!
So this has been another long, vaguely rambling post in which Picpic Tewlikitpe talks about various beautiful, amazing, astonishing things and hopes that you read about it.
So I am going to post more features before posting more of my own work.
This person makes amazing-looking soap that tempts me very much! Though they look edible and might very well be, as with pretty much all soaps I do not recommend you eat them!
These Mini Dessert Assortment Soaps, which look like delectable desserts, are made of goats milk soap and rumored to smell like they look. I would suggest keeping them away from children or scatter-brains like I am, or they will be eaten.
Another artist to take note of makes some really neat antler carving. I am particularly fond of the carved rose in the image.
In the image to the right is the carved rose I was talking about. It is carved from genuine deer antler. By hand. I think it is absolutely beautiful! The other cool thing is that a deer was not hunted to make this item, but the antlers of the animal were taken after they were naturally shed. Which makes this immediately better in my book. Check this artist out!
Looking for a nice gift for someone who likes unique things? How about someone who likes small, adorable things? This next vendor is good at making adorable little miniatures! So jump right into the world of minis!
So I chose to show the sushi because my friends and I like to go out on "sushi nights" relatively frequently. And my fiance is obsessed with sushi. So this miniature is sure to please them, at least! Definitely a unique thing, yes? The artist even has an entire list of what to do with these miniatures.
So concludes this feature. Yup, the three are people on http://www.etsy.com, maybe next time I will feature DeviantArt friends or other fun things I have found.
These are amazing artists on Etsy, whom I have enjoyed their work and now want to share it!
The first is a ceramicist who focuses on masks. He found me and faved my mask on http://picpictewlikitpe.etsy.com and so I have decided to feature my favourite pieces of his. He can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaveBowen
I particularly enjoy the offset of warm/cool colors. I also enjoy how, while not symmetrical, it is balanced. I also think this mask is amking a fun, funky face that I can't help but smile at when I see it.
This artist, who is also found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/jstinson, makes all sorts of beautiful beaded Native jewelry. Her designs are lovely and I like the color choices that she uses. She is an amazing artist and here are a few of her pieces that I enjoyed.
These earrings are adorable! They come in different colors, too, if pink is not your fancy.
For my third feature, I picked an artist that has made a Native prayer fan that I adore. You can find her at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SeaMySoul.
This fan makes me smile. It has a lovely copper-colored face so at peace that I feel peaceful just looking at it. The beadwork compliments rather than detracting from the copper piece and all beads and metal work well with the wooden base.
I hope you take the time to visit these artists and look at the rest of their work!
Have a wonderful Friday and a great Weekend!
