I am of Eastern and Western Abenaki descent and I reside in New Hampshire's "Great North Woods", not far from Quebec, Canada. My ancestors have lived in southern Quebec, New Hampshire and Vermont (along the Connecticut River Valley) for hundreds of years. I am one of the small number of beadworkers who specializes in traditional Wabanaki style beadwork.
I have been doing beadwork for about fourteen years. I was initially encouraged to try beadwork by a Mi?kmaq woman, who showed me the simple stitches I still use today. Through the years, other Native women and men have shared with me beadwork tips and pointers, but the majority of what I have learned has been by trial and error. My ability to do beadwork is a tie to my bead working ancestors and I hope to honor them in this way. When I sit down to bead, I invite my grandmothers to join me, those who have crossed over so long ago. Just like the old ways, many of my beadwork designs and chosen colors come from dreams and reflection. I am member of the Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire , a juried member of the NH League ofCraftsmen and am honored to be included on the NH State Arts Council Traditional Arts and Folklife Listing as a traditional artist.
I specialize in creating Wabanaki style beaded purses.
My Wabanaki beaded purses were featured in the Autumn 2009 issue of the Bead Society of Great Britain magazine in an article written by noted author Richard Green. In February 2010, the renowned artist Gerry Biron completed my portrait as part of an upcoming planned exhibit of a series of portraits of contemporary Native artisans, and in particular those who work in beads.
My beaded purses have been a part of the NH Antiquarian Society's Art Show and Sale, and on exhibit at The Pen and Brush in New York City, the Millbrook Gallery in Concord, NH, the League of NH Craftsmen gallery in Concord, NH, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner, NH and the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury, VT. For the month of February 2011, I was the featured artist at the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, CT. Starting in October 2011 to April 2012, my beaded purses will be part of an exhibit at the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine.
