Monday, June 30, 2014

The Bead Goes On

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by!  I had a fun day yesterday at Vista House at Crown Point State Park participating in the Folk Art Program.  I actually was the first Folk Art Program Coordinator in 1982.  Sally King has been doing it for years - she and I did the demonstration together as we have collected and made beaded items together for.. well.. 25 years!  OK, want to learn more?  Below is a beaded medallion necklace I made.  Sally and I both made one taking a class at A Bead Source, a shop in Gresham.


This is my Turtle necklace/pouch that I made about ten years ago.  This was a freeform design I made, sewing the beads on white leather that I had cut and sewed into the pouch.  It was kind of like painting with beads.  This piece won first place nationally in the Jewelry Division of the national Daughters of the American Revolution American Heritage program.  It was on display in Washington DC at the DAR Continental Congress.  That was neat.  I attended the CC that year and got to see all the items on display.


Here are 4 of the peyote stitch beaded pouches I made.. each has another design on the back.  The two on the left depict real petroglyphs carved into rock here in the Columbia River Gorge.  The one on the far left is "She Who Watches" or "Tsagaglal" - a woman Indian chief who watched over her people.  Read the legend here (scroll down a bit).


From my side of the table, my work tray made of oak, my beading needle case, containers of beads and visitors learning about trade beads.


The bead-aholic herself.


Sally brought a frame of arrowheads to show - her parents dug them out of the sands of the Columbia River before The Dalles Dam was done which would have destroyed the artifacts forever.  The Dept of the Interior gave permission for the rescue of the items as long as the people gave a detailed list of their finds to the Dept.


Her parents also found these 3 rock items - a turtle paint pot, the oval rock carved with a face and the mortar for grinding food or paint.


The turtle mortar is extremely special and I love holding it and soaking in it's history.


Some of my beads.. on the left is a necklace of simple black beads that actually were dug out of the sand and were once in a museum.. when I got them they were in a small old jar and there was still sand in the jar.  On the right are some eye beads, I've found several of different colors.


The beads on the right are probably my oldest, hand made and dating to ancient Rome.  The one on the left has a collection of old aqua blue beads.


The beads below are ones I traded for from a couple of Indian traders - for the beads I made a website for them.  These were in a museum also and the traders purchased them when the museum was selling some things so they could buy new things.  The fun thing is that some of these beads could have been traded by Lewis & Clark to the Indians for food along their way through here.  The carved paddle was done by an Indian woman at a demonstration I did at Multnomah Falls - she loved my beads so gave me this canoe paddle pendant.. I then gave her some of my Russian Blue beads to make into earrings for herself.


My friend Gracie came to visit me during the afternoon.. isn't she cute?  She has photos of the day on her blog too.. be sure to click on her name and visit.


As I headed back in I snapped a photo of the beautiful day and lovely Columbia River Gorge.


My red beads.. the ones on the right are just old red trade beads.. the ones on the left are White Hearts and Eye Beads and some carved ones.  I strung these up this way.


The most amazing of all old trade beads are the Chevron Beads - they were first produced toward the end of the 14th century in Venice and Murano, Italy.  Called the "King of Beads" by some.


The color of these beads are their only similarity - on the left are old Amber beads which are very light.  On the right are old carnelian beads which are stone/agate and are very heavy.  The carved melon beads are extremely old - 200 to 400 years old, possibly.  Some like this are up to 1,000 years old!


At a rock show many years ago I got a little bag of white Russian Blue beads and this old Seated Liberty half dime that had a hole it it - they were reportedly found in an old trunk in an old abadoned miner's cabin in California gold country.  The Indians liked to use coins as decorations.


The white ones are the ones from the miner's cabin - the blues are the common color of Russian Blues.  The long blues are special.  These beads originated in Bohemia (Czechoslovakia) and were eventually purchased by Russians who used them to trade for furs in the Pacific Northwest of America.  These were very valued by NW Indians for their deep sky blue color.


An overview of the display and Sally!


Looking up from our tables to the gorgeous ceiling of Vista House.


This is a bag I made, I made a very long strap so you can wear this cross body - just enough room inside for my money pouch.  :-)


I should mention that I use over my table a Pendleton Chief Joseph blanket that I purchased at an Indian auction.  A photo of my medallion with the necklace showing - this is beaded in a peyote stitch.  I cut the leather myself from a hide.


I put all the padre/chief beads of blue on this one necklace - these are out of the collection I got from the Indian traders.


The colorful chevron on the top is a wooden needle case or "etui" that I did - I keep my beading needles in there.  My turtle pouch, my 9-11 Bead choker, and 2 "Spedis Owl" petroglyph bags that I need to finish up by doing the beaded fringe and necklace.


I made this necklace to wear up to Seattle to see the King Tut Treasures show there years ago.  Dayle went up to our little market and asked for a piece of cow bone, then he fashioned into the oval for me - I did the scrimshaw of the Scarab wings, did a lost wax casting of the 2 gold parts, made the gold bezel and put it all together and beaded the necklace.  :-)


I was working in a call center taking starts and stops for The Oregonian newspaper and right after 9-11 I brought some leather I cut and began beading this necklace with US flags all along it.  I wanted to make something to declare my patriotism while we all dealt with the lost and devastation by terrorists.  They wanted to destroy us but they did not.. 


This is a design I'm working on to depict the Star Spangled Banner, our National Anthem. I am still working on the bottom which will be a sunrise.

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?


I made this necklace.. story time.. my older sister Roberta went to visit my uncle in Oklahoma and he gave her this necklace he found in our grandparents old farmhouse among some other things.  I loved it so much that I took her necklace to a bead shop and bought all the same color of beads and a loom - and made my own to match.


The basket above is a locally made Indian basket I purchased years ago.  I hope I didn't bore you with all these beads and stories!  I heartily recommend that you check out your local antique shops and bead stores and get your own trade beads!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

40 comments:

  1. Teresa, your beadwork is stunning! I had no idea you could do all of this. You're full of surprises. :)

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    1. You'll have to try doing beaded things someday. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  2. Thanks for creating this post! I loved hearing some of your stories yesterday, but could not remember all the details and wanted to do so. Now I can visit this post again to "remember" :) Loved all your photos, too, Teresa, and seeing your wonderful work as well as the beautiful and fascinating work of others! xx

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    1. It meant a lot to me that you took the effort to come and visit our demonstration. I was happy that you met my old friend Sally, too. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. What stunning beads Teresa and your display is awesome. So many old beads with stories to tell. I also love your pendant you made for the King Tut exhibition....you are so very talented. Thanks for showing these treasures, such an interesting post x

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    1. It means a lot to me for a fellow jeweler to like my King Tut necklace.. you know all the steps that I did to make it!

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  4. Hello Teresa,

    We are very much newcomers to your blog having arrived from Jennifer at Thistlebear and now we can see what an amazing crafts person you are. We know little about beads and even less about making anything from them, but your work looks incredibly detailed and carefully done. The colours and designs are clearly chosen with care and the final product is so very pretty.

    We visit Venice often and are very familiar with Murano glass. The ones you show here are wonderful and one is filled with intrigue about who may have worn them or worked them so many decades ago. The blue is incredibly intense. Perfect!

    We are your latest followers and look forward to many happy returns!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed learning about the old and new beads. I do hope that you'll buy a few beads in Murano.. I would dearly love to visit there but have never been to Europe.. poor me! Thanks for joining up with my blog. I enjoyed your blog, too! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. Teresa your work is simply stunning. I have been so interested to read all about your beautiful beads. What an amazing collection. I am glad Gracie came to visit .

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    1. Thanks, Linda... I do hope some day you can visit here! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. I now have SERIOUS bead envy! The work in your pouches is so intricate, how long does it take to make one ? Lovely post :) Jillxo

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    1. Thank you! I have never timed the length of time to make a pouch, but it does take some serious time as only one bead at a time goes on the piece.. then you have to bead on the fringe and then bead the necklace. Many days of work! You should try one, tho! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. Very informative and impressive. You are talented at so many things; didn't know you are a beader too! The old beads are really amazing.

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    1. Do you bead? I'm glad you enjoyed the old beads.. they speak to me. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. SO interesting! I would have been there for sure, if I lived anywhere near!!!!
    XO Kris

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    1. I know you would have come if you could. Someday if you come this way I'll show you all my beads in person.. here on the farm. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. Love the beads and all the history Teresa. Hugs Anne x

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  10. What an interesting post...I loved it from start to finish! You have so much history wrapped up in all the beads & projects. Thanks so much for taking the time to post all the pics & the stories behind them all. You are SO talented!
    Smiles, DianeM :)

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    1. Diane.. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post.. it's always my worry that it will bore people to tears!
      ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  11. I loved this post. I am a closet beader from way back. I've made a few things, but nothing as beautiful as what you have made. You always blow my socks off with your awesome talents. Oh please do more posts on your beading designs. I just adore what you are working on. So very inspiring and lovely. Oh the necklace that you made like your Sister's is beyond awesome. I so love the bird...gosh, is there anything you can't do? Wishing you a most lovely day my sweet talented friend. :)

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    1. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the bead story.. you can understand because you've used beads in your design. I need to finish my Star Spangled Pouch.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  12. A wonderful post with super wonderful photos. Your bead work is so very lovely. You are a very talented lady. Hugs judy

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    1. Thank you, Judy! I'm glad you enjoyed it! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  13. Amazing Teresa .. what else are you going to surprise us with? You're certainly a multi talented lady and I LOVE your beads. Very interesting post - thank you. xox

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    1. Thanks Dorothy.. I hope I encouraged even one person to begin beading or collect trade beads.
      ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  14. WOW!!!! Your beadwork is absolutely amazing!!! I love all the history involved with your work!!! You certainly are a very talented lady!!! Have a happy week!!!
    Love
    AMarie

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    1. You are so sweet.. thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the history of beads. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  15. I so enjoyed this post Teresa and the historical facts you gave along with the pictures. You are one talented lady and I feel very blessed to have you as a friend and mentor. I'm having a grand time with Mandy and Piper this week and I'll probably be heading your way in a few weeks or so.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Hi Betsy.. I'm glad you're having this time with your girls.. I hope we can get together when you're in town. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  16. fascinating post. You are a talent!!! I love the turtle bag most!!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  17. Teresa you are never boring! I so enjoy your postings.
    I also bead but only second to my knitting & spinning.
    You certainly had a nice place in the Vista House to show your wonderful bead work. My problem with beading and other artwork is I end up giving most of them away to family & friends. Oh, well.
    How you're staying cool today as it hits the high 90's. I'm beginning to wonder if we'll hit 100. I sure hope not.

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    1. Lacy, what kind of beading do you do? We got up to 95 d. here! How about you?
      ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    2. Hi Teresa,
      I like beading bracelets - all sorts of bracelets especially bracelets with dangles or charms.
      We maxed out at 98 d. here. Much to much for me. I'm a cool weather gal.

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  18. Thank you for sharing your historic beads and describing their history. I love Indian designs and seeing your creations makes me want to give beading a try myself. First those watercolor bamboo paintings, then crocheted rocks and now beading, you have got my creative juices flowing!!

    Oh, and about 9-11, I love how you demonstrated your patriotism with your beaded flag necklace. I was living in CA at the time and really wanted to fly a flag, but there were no flags to be found anywhere. I ended up making one out of felt and flying that in my window. We can treasure both our special patriotic projects for years to come and never forget that terrible day.

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    1. Hi Janine! I'm so glad you liked my introduction to trade beads and beading! And thanks for sharing your story of 9/11. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  19. Breathtaking Teresa!!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post!!! Lovely to see Gracie with you there!

    keep well

    Amanda x

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  20. What a fabulous assortment of beads Teresa! I am amazed at all the different types and the colors (love the red and blue beads). Love the small purse you made also. When my husband was a boy, he used to find arrowheads near where they lived...
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  21. What a beautiful collection, Teresa. Thank you for sharing x

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