Heart & Hand: First Nations Artist and Educator Naomi Smith

Bead and quill work pieces

Meet Naomi Smith, First Nations artist and educator. In this video Naomi tells us about her art and what it is that inspires her to create her beautiful bead and quill work pieces. Naomi is passionate about sharing the history and traditions of the First Nations people of the Woodland and Northeastern area. 

Exploring the story of beadwork is one way that Naomi shares her traditions and culture. She creates contemporary pieces based on traditional examples. For over 15 years Naomi has designed and created traditional Native beadwork, leather craft, moose hair embroidery, quill work, sweetgrass or birch bark basket making and adornment, always valuing these sacred materials throughout her creative process.

Come out to the Heart & Hand Festival this Saturday, September 21 to learn more! 

Contemporary and traditional examples of  beadwork pieces

Some of these traditional beadwork pieces are over 200 years old 

Heart & Hand: Beading and Beadwork with Marilyn Gardiner




Beads adorn ceremonial items.

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Beading and beadwork is found in the traditions of many cultures around the world.  Beads are used to create jewellery and to adorn clothing and ceremonial items.



Beaded purses.

Marilyn Gardiner, former Joseph Schneider Haus artist in residence, creates original works and borrows from traditional beading and jewellery patterns.  

A display of Marilyn’s original works and beaded artifacts at the JSH gallery.



Art Deco inspired necklace.

Here is one of Marilyn's original necklace designs; it borrows from the designs of the Art Deco period.

 



Persian GSG pattern.












This copper necklace created in the Persian GSG pattern is also one of Marilyn’s creations, and one you can learn to do yourself.

Interested in creating your own jewellery? Want to learn more about Marilyn Gardiner Design?  Visit  www.marilyngardiner.com.  You can order kits, books or sign up for a class. 

Follow Marilyn on Twitter www.twitter.com/#!/gardinerdesign or visit her Facebook page www.facebook.com/gardinerdesign .

And don't forget to visit her at the Heart and Hand Festival Sept., 24 2011!