feather collection

“Today there is growing awareness that indigenous knowledge that had been ignored and marginalized as a primitive knowledge system is something we need to look to to build a sustainable, fairer system where food security, nutrition and well being of people is held together.”

— Phrang Roy / indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com

“We facilitate the use of traditional Indigenous knowledge in solving today’s challenges, including climate change, food security, medicine, governance and sustainable development.”

— www.firstpeoples.org

“Cultural Survival envisions a future that respects and honors Indigenous Peoples inherent rights and dynamic cultures, deeply and richly interwoven in lands, languages, spiritual traditions, and artistic expression, rooted in self-determination and self-governance.”

— www.culturalsurvival.org

“There’s a particular time that we’re in that’s about a real reemergence, a real resurgence of our people that’s producing all of this new media, this new artistry, this new culture, which is amazing.”

— Jarrett Martineau / http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/legal-warriors-five-indigenous-lawyers-1.3371819

“Media is not a passive thing. We cannot be passive in making media content. The thinkers, doers, warriors, philosophers, leaders–people who are gifted, we have a responsibility with media to create the future. That’s a huge responsibility. We have amazing potential as creators of our own content.”

— Iron Eyes / www.cbc.ca

“Before the DAY is over, an Indigenous homeland will be clear-cut, strip-mined, or flooded by a dam.

Before the WEEK is over, an Indigenous person will be killed or displaced, because of economic interests or simply because he or she has a different culture.

Before the YEAR is over, dozens of languages could disappear forever, taking with them ancient worldviews and a priceless record of earth’s biodiversity.”

— www.culturalsurvival.org

like the river

I followed the snaking foot-wide trail along the flood washout, past dark purple wildflowers that seemed to glow in the shade of the hillside, the smell of pine rising with the cool river breeze.  Just over the second log crossing, I found a beach and sat by the water. Hiking boots off, feet cleansed, eyes closed, so much sunshine... the only sound around was the loud rushing of the water, like it was going through me.

"Flow like the river", I started to think. It came to me again and again like a mantra. Flow like the river. The slow parts, the winding parts, the rapids. Be gentle, be strong, be fierce. Flow like the river; carve your own path.

boulder opal magic

Two weeks ago, after getting home from a little road trip to Utah and southern Colorado, and still without a "job" (I applied to be a baker but it didn't work out), I decided to apply to the waitlist for the Jackalope Art Fair in Denver.  What the hell! Why not? I hadn't been as busy making jewelry as I had been taking photos of our little adventures during Tim's unemployment.  There were big cuts at work and he lost his job in the beginning of October.  Security became a theme for us.  What do we really need right now?  Good food, nature, time together...somehow jewelry making and new tools took the back burner.

So anyways, I applied to Jackalope, and within hours was notified that I had been accepted!  Awesome!  Yay!  I'm doing it!  But then...oh shit.  It's really happening.  This is in 2 weeks.   I don't have a very big inventory.  I'm out of business cards.  I'm out of 22g silver.  I need to get a tax license, and figure out display.  I need a shop sign.  Maybe I can have loose stones for people to choose from for a custom order.  I need an order form and price sheet.  I need an inventory sheet and packaging.  I have 2 weeks to put this together...

And as I'm writing, I have 2 days to finish this shit up.  My first market.  In a city that makes my armpits sweat just to drive into.  I'm not a city girl.  I like hiding out like a hermit in the woods or in the back laundry room...ahem "workshop".  After moving to Colorado and checking out some awesome holiday markets with my friend Nina last December, I knew I wanted to do a craft show...eventually.  I felt like I wasn't ready yet, though.  Not enough inventory, too nervous to talk to people about my work for 7 hours straight.  At that point I didn't have a home studio and was busy setting off apartment alarms with my torch and throwing baking soda down over the railing, trying to aim at the puddle of etching mordant that the crazy wind just spilled all over the downstairs neighbor's deck.  Eleven months later, I feel like I was given a swift kick in the bum to get back to work and get out there.  "Your roots are nourished, it's time to blooooom!"

Jackalope Art Fair.  This weekend, November 14-15, 10-5p at the Exbo Center in Denver, CO.  Come say "hi"!! (I made new stuff!) 

Shop update Friday 12p noon mountain time.