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 I have been into shellweaving and beadweaving for almost thirty years, have taught many over the years. I am also a museum curator and work alot with Native American antiquities and I have learned a great deal from the people of the past and their incredible talent.
I compete with my work. In 2008 I will participate in two juried shows: Western Design Conference Exhibit and Sale in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Cody High Style at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming. Both shows require an exhibit ensemble and then six ensembles for the fashion shows. It is a ton of work...about 48 pieces but it really challenges me and pushes me to do the best work. Over the years folks have suggested I design and then get someone else to do the work but that does not fly for me. I do not predesign much but allow the pieces to evolve, the process is my love of it, the result for the audience.
It has been interesting in the past few years how the questions about my work have changed and I am thinking here about your recent article regarding handwork and how few of us do it anymore....anyway, for a long time the first question people would ask when looking at my work would be how long does it take? I would answer that I have 4 to 10+ heartbeats in every bead, an amulet takes a week of evenings, etc.
Try to get them to understand the commitment needed to pull off a result. But since 9/11 the question has changed, now they look and ask...Do you do this yourself? Why?
It is like people are so unsettled they cannot even initially understand that someone could sit still that long to do anything.
So maybe we all need to find something where we can sit still and focus, listen to our heartbeats and make them count. I am very blessed to do this work. Did you know there is and old Gaelic word for bead?
It is "bede" and it means to pray.
Sincerely,
Suzanne M. M. Warner
Elk River Beadworks
Editor: You have seen this letter early this month, but I didn’t have the room for the pictures on that day. I thought you might enjoy reading this in association with Suzanne’s work
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Here are some pictures of my 'messy studio'. Actually this is 2 spaces. The first 2 pictures are of my "upstair" studio where I used to work all the time. Now I have family issues that make it more convenient to stay downstairs to work. SO - my dining room table has become my Studio2! Less room so it's even more messy!
Send in photos of your Studio and/or beading work area and remember if it’s real messy and you don’t want you name associated with it I can print just you initials by request <S>
