Off Hiatus

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.


Next post: odd happenings from the show!

Vista House?!

Hello,

I know it has been a long time. I got a job, was looking for an apartment, and my computer went kaput All in all, it has been busy. However, I am hoping to post more often. My hubby has a laptop I can borrow most of the time, and I now live about 20-25 minutes closer to work. :)

Now, for the big news. I was accepted to sell my art in the gift shop at Vista House! I am focusing on patterned baskets and basket jewelry! My wares haven't made it yet due to some technical difficulties with my tags, but they will be soon!

What is it? A rest stop along the Historic Columbia River Highway. It was "dedicated in 1918 as a comfort station, a scenic observatory, and a Memorial to Oregon Pioneers" (Source: Friends of Visa House Membership Invitation pamphlet). They promote wares from local artists, and like to focus on the historical, local flora and fauna, and Native American handicrafts.

Where is it? Vista House is in Oregon, along the Columbia River. It is on the old Historic Columbia River Hwy. I have included a map below for your convenience. :)


View Larger Map

New Status Attained!

So, I realize it has been a while since I posted. I try to keep up, but it would appear I am failing so far. Perhaps I need to make up a blogging schedule... and try to keep to it.

My current obsession has been cleaning. Unfortunately, I let my space get to a certain level of uncleanliness, then it bugs the heck outta me until I turn around and furiously clean. Well, I have been doing more furious cleaning than letting it get to a cleanliness-challenged state lately. I realize this is a good thing. I also realize that I should not let myself get so frustrated with it in the first place, and perhaps just try to keep it clean instead. We shall see.

Oh, right, this blog post is supposed to reflect my newly acquired status! I am now no longer amongst the unemployed! I have been given a job! I have to say, it was an interesting process.

It started back in early November, when I applied for the job. Well, they had actually decided on their candidates when I had submitted my resume and cover letter. Recently, however, a person in the Receptionist/Office Assistant position has been promoted to a different position within the organization, so they needed to fill the spot. They pulled my resume and cover letter! (Oh, I didn't know that detail until after my first interview)... so I was asked to an interview. I attended, dressed in nice slacks, a white button-up shirt, and black jacket. It went well, in my opinion. After that, I anxiously waited. They said they would be calling people starting the next day... And they did. I was thrilled to be offered a second interview.

I wore a nice gray skirt and a fave top of mine to the second interview. I intended to be there early, but due to my car breaking down, I was afraid I would be late! What did I do? I called as soon as it happened (one hour before my interview) and told them I might be late. Thank goodness I wasn't! I was dropped of with three minutes until my interview.

I must say, being interviewed by four people, one of which being your potential boss, can be a bit intimidating. I tried to be less nervous by joking a bit. Hopefully that was a good thing, right? Well, they asked me a bunch of tough questions, including what my weakness/challenge/need-to-work-on might be. I answered honestly: being 23 years old, recently out of college, and with only two internships under my belt, I am still learning professionalism in the workplace. I understand healthy boundaries and professionalism, but am still learning how best to put them in practice. Much to my frustration, when I asked what they were looking for "understanding of professionalism and boundaries" was near the top of the list, after dependability and the ability to do the job. Needless to say, I left the interview feeling less than confident.

My family (birth and chosen) inspired me to continue smiling, despite being scared. If I didn't get the job, it was a great opportunity and I learned something out of it. They were all very confident I would get the job, so much more than I was.

Shortly thereafter, I received a phone call requesting my references, which I happily gave. I tentatively took it as a good sign I was still in the runnings. I was then asked to fill out an application. I wondered if this was a good sign, or if they just needed it to put on record whether or not I did get the job. I waited... and waited...

I was very excited to get the call. I was offered the job! I just needed to fill out some background check information and complete a UA (Urine Analysis, the standard drug testing procedure). I wasn't entirely sure when I would start, but I am so very excited to have the job! I will now, once again, be a part of the working class. I will have an income again!

I did wonder, though, since I admitted to a MAJOR weakness... did they just appreciate my honesty and willingness to learn/work on it? Or did they decide that I was worth the effort to try despite my shortcomings? I guess I also wonder if I was their first pick, or someone else was offered the job and turned it down... like they were given another offer already or something. But, whatever the reason, I am pleasantly hired.

And I really enjoy the job. I have completed my first week and am loving it. The people I work with are all very nice, and understanding when I make a mistake (which, first week, there were understandably a few). The clients have all been very friendly and patient with me (another plus). I am looking forward to continuing to work with these wonderful people.

Where does that put my artwork? Well, it does put it a little bit more behind. I admit to being sleepy this weekend and didn't really do too much. (Okay, I did do some housework yesterday, but that was just the bathrooms and some dishes. In a big house, not all that much.)   I hadn't been doing much during the week, either, after learning so much new and running about.   I do have time, however, when I am riding public transit. I will be working on basketry then, and twiddling my fingers all the way to work and back. I anticipate some neat new stuff. :)

An Evening with Inspiration

Just about two weeks ago, I went to an event at the Oregon Zoo for a dinner event. The dinner event honored Native American students who won the scholarships offered by ONAC, the Oregon Native American Chamber.  At this event, I had the excitement of seeing a number of people I know and haven’t had the chance to see lately. I also had the honor of seeing three of my teachers!

From Left to Right, Pat Courtney Gold (basket weaver), Lillian Pitt (multimedia artist), and Ed Edmo (storyteller).

Each of these people has touched my life and taught me a skills I use on my path through life.
I learned a number of the crafts I do at the Oregon College of Art and Craft, which holds the Journeys in Creativity program.

Pat Cortney Gold taught me the basketry around which I base my small hobby-business (currently found on etsy). She has been featured on Craft in America, has art in a variety of stores all over the US and abroad, and has pretty much revitalized the art of basket-weaving in her tribe.  She teaches basketry classes, some of which I want to take in the near future.

It was Lillian Pitt who taught me etching and how to make ceramic masks based on Native American lore.  She has been featured on Oregon Art Beat, has had her art in the Hallie Ford Art Museum (at my college Alma Mater), and also has wares for sale across the nation.

Ed Edmo re-sparked my interest in the old stories. Most of the stories I know have come from his vast store of knowledge. I love sitting and listening to him.  He helps people become storytellers, and encourages them.

All three of these Native American artists encourage the younger generation to learn their crafts. Not only that, they encourage their students to share, and teach, the skills.

I owe so much to these lovely people. I look forward to seeing them again soon.

~Pícpic Tewlikítpe

Post-Script– sorry for the poor image quality, I am still learning how to work this camera.

Feature! Soulful Stuff

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.

Till next time.
~Winter Wolf

Come Find Me! Powwow - March 12, 2011

I have finally gotten my spot in the Willamette University powwow on March 12, 2011. I have worked this powwow for a number of years and am excited to continue on the other side of the equation: being a vendor instead of just vendor relations. That will be different. I won't be running around so much during the powwow and will only have to keep track of my stuff instead of a ton of things. I have my booth with my mother-in-law, who also does a bunch of really pretty things. I will have to post pictures of her work. Really, the whole family does all sorts of crafts. There are many wonderful items.

The events page at Willamette is here: http://www.willamette.edu/dept/oma/events/powwow/index.html.
I will warn you, though... the page needs updated, since it is gonna happen in 2011. I also don't think Men's Fast and Fancy is gonna be the contest this year. When I find out, I will be sure to post it, so perhaps you can come dance, too. I have decided to add a new incentive for people to come check it out, too. If you come and mention this blog post, I will give you a free pair of earrings. I mean it! Or, perhaps, a small basket. Either way I decide, you will get a prize! I will even give you a special thing: a printable coupon so I know you did it.

Print it out NOW so that you don't forget to later. 

Pin it to your calendar next to the date 3/12/11 and come to Willamette U and find me. :D   Here is a map, I will be in building 48, set up in my booth selling things. You really should stop on by.

I will be waiting for you. How many will find me?

p.s. I will be setting my etsy (picpictewlikitpe.etsy.com) on "vacation" that weekend, which means that you won't be able to buy anything and the item you want may be gone after Powwow. I would recommend getting the item you've been eyeballing before it is sold!