Getting Inspired

When people ask what sparks my creativity, I get excited just thinking about it! It's such a fantastic question, and though it takes a moment to gather my thoughts, I'm thrilled to share my journey. Here we go (giggle): My beadwork designs often come from a place of intuition. Sometimes, a design magically appears in my mind as I'm waking up, and other times, I find myself staring at a blank "canvas," ready to create. I stumbled upon an app called Handmade Patterns on the Google Play Store by sheer luck while searching for a better way to visualize my designs beyond graph paper. Graph paper works wonders for loom and square stitching, but it poses challenges for peyote and brick styles. That's when I whip out my Android phone, open the app, and let my stylus dance across the screen. If inspiration didn't visit me in my dreams, I wait for my hand to start flowing, creating designs that please my eye. Then, I dive into the world of colors, bouncing ideas off my husband or best friend to find the perfect palette. Nature's beauty and my deep love for it often inspire me, along with my Native heritage and Nordic and European roots.

Once my design is complete on my trusty app, we print and laminate it if possible, ensuring I don't lose my place while beading. For intricate designs, I create mental "landmarks" to track my progress. Counting beads of a specific color helps me stay organized, especially with the Peyote flat stitch style, which has become my signature.

When seeking inspiration, I plan for the seasons, mindful of the time each piece takes to create as I prepare the next collection. I reflect on what captivates me most. Initially, I focused on "Native designs," striving to make them uniquely mine. One of my early creations, our beloved Orca Cuff Bracelet, is sadly being retired. As a reconnecting Native, I sometimes struggle with the feeling of not being "qualified" to create Native-designed jewelry, despite my heritage and recognition by the Native Village of Hooper Bay in Alaska. Therapy and support from my Native community have helped me overcome these challenges. As I continue to explore my artistic talents, I've experimented with shapes and lines, leading to our other popular cuff bracelets.

Native-Orca Cuff Bracelet designed in 2020

I love imagining how a paw print would look wrapped in ribbon-like designs, or envisioning an orca amidst a stunning red/orange sunset. I ponder how falling leaves might appear on a beaded cuff bracelet. Occasionally, I search the internet for inspiration, exploring ideas like "Native beaded

bracelet" or "Nordic beaded jewelry" to understand societal expectations. I strive to create something unique that no one else has seen or made. Once inspiration strikes, I research to see if my idea is truly one-of-a-kind. Ultimately, I draw inspiration from the world around me, from the internet to my surroundings, to nature, fueling my passion for jewelry and crochet.