Intriguing Finds

Sample of "Padre" trade beads on order

I'm in a holding pattern. While looking to see how far I might have to drive to find a quality bead shop in order to purchase the beads I need for Masks, I innocently clicked on a link for BeadShop.com. Oh . . . my . . . goodness. To think I was going to settle for ordinary matte seed beads. Instead, I've ordered up a variety of old African trade beads from this California shop. I am so excited with this find (and that shipping is free on orders of any size) but must be patient as they make their way north.

Eagle by Sherry Orchard

In the meantime, I'm sharing an artist I ran across in a tourist guide for my region. I can appreciate Western art but usually I'm not particularly drawn to it. However, Walla Walla, WA artist Sherry Orchard adds a twist that intrigued me. She creates her acrylic paintings directly on feathers. See more of her work here.