Artist Feature: Vosq Co

We are excited to share another artist spotlight: Vosq Clothing Co.  Our pal and the owner, Sean, explained, "Vosq Co. was founded in concept, on the grounds of the Pechanga Indian Reservation. The theme then was to create a brand my family and ancestors would be proud of, as well as a brand that my friends and community could relate to." 

It's always a pleasure to work with Sean - he's got this nice and easy-going positive energy, always down to create an exclusive design with us and partner up with projects. 

Artist Feature: Breeze

Over a decade ago, I had the fine opportunity to meet a future friend: Thomas Marcus. He was interested in the graffiti street arts scene and went by the name Breeze. I preferred to call him Thomas Marcus (it had a ring to it). One night, I barely met him, but he was cool, and I hopped into his van (LOL) after a Heard Indian Market, and we, along with his buddy Hendrix (yes, related), went off to hit up some art parties. OH THE GOOD OL' DAYS.

Artist Profile | Tessa Sayers

We are so excited to introduce you to our newest talented artist, Tessa Sayers, who is the owner and designer of a lifestyle brand called Soul Curiosity.

She is Ojibwe, Cree, and Metis, and I met her a year ago in Portland. She was playing with the idea of launching her own business, and we are so glad she did!

We sat down with her to chat a bit more about how she got started, and what inspires her the most.

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 | Bentonia Brown

We are excited to add yet another amazing new artist to the Beyond Buckskin Boutique: Bentonia Brown creates tiny little cloth-covered gems emblazoned with geometric designs and Native American art.

Her business, T.Connor&Co., is an ode to her son and her culture, and her limited-edition button-style earrings are about to become your latest obsession (how do you buy just one pair? You can't - you need to collect them all!). We sat down with Bentonia to learn more about her fun and budding business.

Artist Profile | Tashina Lee Emery

The world is so big, yet it also can be very small and intimate. I met Tashina years ago when I visited the University of Michigan for an event. The students there were very inspiring, and I'd go on to keep in contact with them. I've seen them ace their finals, graduate, take on competitive internships, and become bright young professionals. And I was so happy when one of them, Tashina, sent me a message last month that she had just launched her own online boutique featuring her handmade jewelry, though she also creates fashion garments.

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.

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.

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.

Artist Profile | Michelle Lowden

Michelle Lowden is the owner of Milo Creations, and hails from the Pueblo of Acoma. Located in New Mexico, Acoma is known as being the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America.

Interestingly, it is this ancient legacy that informs the contemporary work produced by Lowden (she is pictured left, wearing a pair of her earrings). She specializes in creating jewelry hand-painted with detailed geometric designs on lightweight basswood. Although her designs have a distinctive urban street vibe, her inspiration actually derives from traditional Acoma pottery, which is historically known for its intricate and dazzling patterns.

Artist Profile | Avis O'Brien

We've recently added a new artist to the Beyond Buckskin Boutique. Her name is Avis O’Brien, she is Haida / Kwakwaka’wakw, and she heads up her company, Nalaga Designs.

I'm very excited to introduce her work to the Boutique because her work - her cedar bark woven jewelry - represents an important continuation of the ancient legacy of Northwest Coast woven adornment. She fuses age-old techniques with modern style to create jewelry we can wear to work, to gatherings, and for events. Click below to read our interview and learn more about this artist.

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.