Elk Hall Tree - Western Design Conference

Here is a close up of the finished beaded panel of the Elk Hall Tree submitted for judging at the Western Design Conference in Jackson Hole Wyoming in September 2015.

The six geometric designs flanking the bugling elk are traditional crow mirror bag designs.

The bugle of the elk is interpreted by circles of mirror traveling off into the distance.

The green foliage of the trees were laid in a "crazy" lazy stitch.
The panel was attached to red suede.

The hall tree bench was constructed out of oak with stone insets which reference the Tetons.

The arms and frame around beaded panel mimic the curving negative space seen around elk antlers.  

                                              Four pairs of elk antlers are         attached to the oak frame.                                                                 

Imagine the transitioning from the indoors to the outdoors, or visa verse, and sitting on this throne like bench constructed of natural materials which embraces the sights and sounds of life in the mountains. It would surely incite reverence and gratitude for the opportunity to experience the majestic western landscape.

The Next Big Thing

Currently I am working on an Elk Antler Hall Tree.
Following are photos showing the early stages of the project.

 Begin with a painting, in this case an elk bugling.

 Transfer the image onto crisply ironed denim and paint with textile paints.

 The denim painting should be as detailed as the original.

Bead over the painting. As you can see the bead color doesn't exactly match the color of the textile paint.  Also, because the beads are transparent the paint alters the color of the beads.   

Cody Old West Show

June 5-7 the crew was down in Forth Worth for Brian La Belle's Cody Old West Show. 

The event was held at the Roy Rogers Convention Center. 

Here are some pics of setting up for the show.

 Set up was delayed because the booth wall had the wrong color paper on the wall..
 "Things happen" but it best to remain calm.

 Mike made the executive decision to set up the big stuff to draw interest to the booth.

In addition to having the wall papered in the wrong color we forgot to bring the table covers.   Both problems were solved, but doing so ate some of our set up time. 

Courting Songs

The world seems set aright when the courting frogs come out to sing in May.  

Oh! Shoot!

"Have Gun.  Will travel."

Wear one of these beaded holsters on a chain and let the world know you believe in being ready to defend a cause - in style.

Things for Your Pocket

In process are pocket BB games.  Here are the little, original, handdrawn images for the cases.

Here is a classy beaded covered compass - an excellent gift for a hiker.

Six Shooter

 

 

The guns are laid out on the table.

Before long they will be loaded (with pretend ammo) and ready in a beaded holster.