Artist Profile | Maria Running Fisher Jones

We are so excited to add another amazing and talented female artist to the Beyond Buckskin Boutique! Maria Running Fisher Jones is a proud member of the Blackfeet tribe from Montana, and she is the owner of TPmocs, a company that employs Native American artisans to handcraft modernly designed children’s moccasins.

Her moccasins are not only adorable, but I also love the fact that she is cultivating a whole new generation of hip kids that rep modern Native-made fashion. And that is awesome. Let's start them young!

Artist Profile | Maggie Thompson

We are excited to announce the addition of a new artist to our Boutique roster; her name is Maggie Thompson and she is Fond du Lac Ojibwe. She is a textile artist, and she creates timeless, cozy wearable art for her business Makwa Studio. Makwa means 'bear' in the Ojibwe language, and we love how she brings subtle cultural and design references into her work. From her Heritage Cowl to her Feather Hoodie Scarf and Mountain Peak Beanie, her latest collection is a must-have for this winter and winters to come. Scroll down to read our interview with her now.

Artist Profile | Lloree Dickens

LLoree Dickens is the owner, artist, and creative director of LL Designs, which is an online store that sells awesome adult moccasins and adorable baby moccs. She is Arikara and White Earth Chippewa from the Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nations). Dickens is also the newest artist to join the Beyond Buckskin Boutique roster with her beautiful beaded footwear. We love what she does, and we wanted to share some behind-the-scenes info with you through an interview. Scroll down to learn more about this rockstar artist who is keeping traditions alive and contemporary.

Artist Profile | Chenoa Williams

I love beadwork. The tiny sparkling beads remind me of both the past and the future - when I see beadwork, I think about the stunning buckskin dresses of the past and the pixels of futuristic digital art. I think of beadwork artists as honoring traditions while creating a bridge for future artists.

Within the field of beadwork, there are many techniques, from peyote stitch, to whip stitch, to 'lazy' stitch and more. Artists use these varying styles to execute their vision.

Artist Profile | Alison Bremner

As you may or may not know, I love meeting and getting to know new artists. I love how they see the world - how they envision and re-vision it. A new artist on my radar is Alison Bremner. She is a Tlingit artist born and raised in Southeast Alaska, and currently working in the Seattle area. She was recently selected to design the 2014 SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market merchandise. Beyond Buckskin is also working with her to get her jewelry available on the Boutique site - so stay tuned for that!

In the mean time, scroll down to read our interview with her, in which she shares some fun and candid responses.

Designer Profile | Tatanka Means

Best known for his roles as an actor, comedian, and speaker, Tatanka Means also heads up the streetwear company, Tatanka Clothing. He's Oglala Lakota, Omaha and Navajo from Chinle, Arizona, and as he explains, "I’m from the Bitter Water clan on my Dine’ side, Eagle clan on my Lakota side, and Deer clan on my Omaha side."

While fashion is only one facet of his creative life, it is a vital component of his overall goals to uplift and inspire cultural empowerment. I was able to catch up with him and to talk a bit more about Tatanka Clothing.

Artist Profile | Nalaga O'Brien

Avis Nalaga O’Brien, a Haida/Kwakwakw’wakw artist, was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia. She belongs to the Kaa’was Staa’stas Eagle Clan from Kiusta Village in Haida Gwaii and the Geegilgum Clam of the Likwiolk people of Cape Mudge. Nalaga’s introduction to the treasures of the Northwest Coast started when she learned to weave from her older sister, Meghann O’Brien. This was the beginning of her journey to where she is now, embracing the richness of her cultural heritage and creating jewelry and artwork that reflects the beauty of Northwest Coast Native design.

Artist Profile | Nathalie Waldman

The exquisite and beautifully hand-crafted purses made by Nathalie Waldman are both raw and enchanting. Nathalie is a member of the Dene First Nation Dogrib Tribe located in the Northwest Territories of the far north part of Canada, and her Native American heritage informs her artistic techniques and inspires the bags she creates.

She selects natural hide and leather that exhibits character – pieces that reference nature and its gifts.

Artist Profile | David Sloan

Street fashion, cartoon-like animal characters, and the visual qualities of the Navajo language fuse with neon candy colors, moccasin leather, and silver chunky jewelry to create David Sloan's unique and infectious aesthetic. Sloan began making jewelry about 5 years ago, and began transferring his two-dimensional paintings into wearable silkscreen art around 3 years ago.

The Todichiinii Rudeboy was one of Beyond Buckskin's first Boutique artists, and his Diné Bizaad Bandanas have been a top-seller since they launched. We caught up with David to learn more about the man behind the images. Scroll down to read more.

Artist Profile | Courtney M. Leonard

Clay. It is one of the oldest materials used by the Indigenous peoples of this continent to create utilitarian objects. Clay pots held the food that fed our bodies. Clay was also used to create decorative items, spiritual items, and items of adornment. Now, the raw material continues to play an important role in Indigenous traditions and creativity. It is of the earth and is an important facilitator for creation.

Shinnecock artist Courtney M. Leonard takes the material and creates special dangle earrings formed from glittering micaceous clay.

Artist Profile | Caroline Blechert

I am very excited to introduce an artist whose jewelry is unlike any I've seen before. Caroline Blechert uses porcupine quills in such modern and striking ways that her collections are both memorable and enchanting.

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with her about her jewelry business, called Creations for Continuity. Caroline is Inuvialuit, and was born and raised in Yellowknife - a community located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, and this influence of the far north environment is evident in her work.

Caroline's work is represented on the Beyond Buckskin Boutique, and you can shop her collection at this link. You can also find her on her Facebook page, or at the lovely Tlicho Store. Click below to read our interview.

Designer Profile | Samantha Hunter

I am proud to announce our newest member to the Beyond Buckskin Boutique roster, Samantha Hunter. She is San Carlos Apache and Hopi, and I first came across her cool powwow-inspired applique purses on Instagram.

Her company name is "Shih' Goh'Zhoo" and the word Goh'Zhoo is used in many Apache songs to represent peace, harmony, happiness, and love. About Goh'Zhoo, she says, "It's just the perfect feeling, anything and everything good." Click below to learn more about her work and what inspires her.

Cher Thomas | Designer Profile and Interview

I was very honored with the opportunity to catch up with O'odham and Yuman fashion designer Cher Thomas, owner of Cher Thomas Designs, about her most recent work. I first became aware of Cher's clothing designs while I was going to grad school in Arizona. She is a member of the Gila River Indian Community and I had seen her work in local shows. As a third generation seamstress, the act of making garments - both traditional and fashion-forward - runs in her family.

She was recently featured in Native Max Magazine, and in June she was spotlighted in the Brave Wings Charity Fashion Show held in Scottsdale. Here, she debuted her Spring 2013 collection, Desert Ballerina.

Click below to read my interview with her about this fabulous show.

Artist Profile | Michael Adams

One of the Beyond Buckskin Boutique's newest artists is Michael Adams. Born on the Hopi reservation and surrounded by culture and art, Adams was inspired to create his own style with jewelry. He looks to his parents for inspiration; his mother is a Hopi/Tewa potter and his father is a Katsina doll carver.

He hand-cuts, shapes, and then paints a unique design on each pair of earrings. He explained, "I love to incorporate color and Hopi symbolism into my designs all referencing nature." Click below to read our interview with him.

Designer Profile | Dustin Martin

Dustin Martin was one of the first designers to support my dream to launch the Beyond Buckskin Boutique over a year ago. I had sent out messages to various artists to get their feedback about this idea to launch a boutique that focused solely on promoting and selling Native-made fashion. His response to my inquiry was thoughtful, and his words found their way into BBB's initial mission statements to reclaim Native America's right to determine what is 'Native,' 'authentic' and 'traditional' when it comes to fashion.

Artist Profile | Leslie Whitefeather

Small beautiful sparkling beads dance around the wrist, woven into a matrix pattern around a sturdy cuff. The glistening qualities of seed beads, coupled with their tiny strength, are highlighted in the work of Comanche artist Leslie Whitefeather.

BB: When and why did you start beading?
LW: I started beading because I wanted to dance. My uncle Osmond Parton and my grandmother Marie Atewooftakewa-Yellowfish showed me a few stitches one day, gourd and flat-stitch round. It was fun, easy and I loved it. Also, many people I knew had inherited parts or all of their regalia. One thing that is most important about my beadwork, it’s made to last and for posterity.

Designer Profile | Topah Spoonhunter

I'm very excited to announce that we are increasing our Beyond Buckskin Boutique artist list for 2013, and we're expanding our streetwear collection on a monthly basis - so you can always check back to the Boutique site and learn about new artists and pick up some fresh threads to rock on a regular basis.

Our newest artist is named Topah Spoonhunter (Paiute/Northern Arapaho) who runs the company Two Dogs and a Bear. I caught up with Spoonhunter, asking questions about fashion, and our interview is below.

Designer Profile | Paul Rowley

We've got a brand new artist on the Beyond Buckskin Boutique site and he's a really cool dude named Paul Rowley.

He's Haida and Tlingit and he creates cool hats in classic fashion forms using traditional cedar bark weaving techniques.

It's an honor to add him to the roster of artists on BBB, and I got the opportunity to ask him some questions about what he does. So here you go folks, meet Mister Rowley:

Artist Profile | Kristen Dorsey

Beyond Buckskin is proud to introduce the fabulous Ms. Kristen Dorsey.

Dorsey is a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation. She is a silversmith artist who seeks to bring the power and beauty of ancient Southeast Native American symbols to the present through her exquisite jewelry collections.

Always an eye on the past, Dorsey brings the meanings and stories forward with each of her creations.

Designer Profile | Genevieve Hardy

Genevieve J. Hardy is a Navajo traditional wool dress weaver from Fort Defiance, Arizona. Hardy comes from a family of weavers: her grandparents were weavers and her mother Mary is also a weaver.

Growing up surrounded by weaving, Hardy put herself in front of the loom when she was a young teenager. In high school, she took courses in sewing, drawing and clothing-making and decided to use this knowledge to perfect her skills in making outfits.

As an adult, Hardy combined her weaving with sewing and made clothing for her children and relatives. Hardy also created traditional Navajo rug dresses for her daughters' graduations.