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Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

Pam — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:40:26 GMT

Wow you have been busy Stacey!

It's interesting you've been to Bar Harbor...pretty place! I used to know a couple of really nice people up there in the Penobscot tribe but I've lost touch since I moved back from Bangor.

That must have been frustrating to miss the bead show in Milwaukee!!!

I'd love to see anything you make Stacey, your work is really good! If you can get a picture of the bridle, that would be great, it sounds like it was a lot of work.

Pam

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

Kokopelli Design — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:43:04 GMT

You're a busy girl, Stacey! Good to have you back and we're waiting to see some of your new stuff. And I hope you soon get a pic of that bridle. Would be nice to see.

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

apachegirl — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:50:24 GMT

Pam:

Stacey, where have you been!!! I've missed you!!! That's great that more prisons are recognising the value of traditional crafts, there's a huge need for self-esteem in prison to say the least. It sounds like a great idea to me!

Pam

So incredibly busy with two large conferences within two weeks of one another, both of which I was on the planning committees. I went to Bar Harbor, Maine in early May for a conference hosted by the Penobscot Indian Nation, then came home for two weeks, and left again for a conference in Milwaukee hosted by the Forest County Potawatomi Indian tribe, and held at their beautiful Bingo Casino. I was in Milwaukee during the Bead Show, and since I wasn't registered at the Bead Show, I couldn't get to the marketplace until they opened it up to the general public on Friday, June 5th -- and my plane home to Albuquerque left at 6:00 a.m. Friday morning. I was SO CLOSE TO ALL THOSE BEADS and couldn't do a thing about it!!! Talk about frustrating!!

I'm also hard at work on another keychain, and just finsihed a beaded bridle done in tubular peyote stitch that was yellow and purple, and had porcupine quills and silver jingle cones, and my client came to pick it up before I could snap one single picture of it!! She keeps promising me that she'll take a picture of it on her horse and send to me, but nothing so far... But, as soon as I finish my latest tubular peyote keychain, I'll show it to everyone...!!

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

Pam — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:38:51 GMT

Stacey, where have you been!!! I've missed you!!! That's great that more prisons are recognising the value of traditional crafts, there's a huge need for self-esteem in prison to say the least. It sounds like a great idea to me!

Pam

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

CrystalCubeBead. — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:22:20 GMT

In the Minnesota State Prison, their work was sold at the prison, in the handicrafts' area. They were available for purchase by the general public -- not very well publicized either.

I use the past tense since I have not been there since 1970.

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

apachegirl — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:45:38 GMT

I saw a program once where more and more prisons are not only allowing, but encouraging the Native inmates to pursue their traditional art, whether it be beadwork, carving kachinas, painting, etc... They are then able to offer them for sale (though I don't know where or how) and it actually goes a long way to help the inmates improve their self image and self respect, in addition to earning money that they can save for and if they are ever released. Some of the inmates that are very good artists then are allowed to teach their craft to other interested inmates. Not a bad idea, if you ask me.

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

beadorigami — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:05:13 GMT

That's really interesting! The beadweaving in the earrings looks to be of good craftsmanship too. Thanks for sharing this story!

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

Cat — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:52:02 GMT

Jeannie :
I just have this picture in my mind of a bunch of men in orange jumpsuits beading around a table making earrings and talking about the new stitches they learned. What a great idea to keep their hands and minds busy.

Now I have this image in my mind. Crack me up! It is good to teach them something useful though. Who knows one of them might just be the next Famous Bead Artist!

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

Jeannie — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:32:58 GMT

Cat, this is hilarious. They do nice work. I just have this picture in my mind of a bunch of men in orange jumpsuits beading around a table making earrings and talking about the new stitches they learned. What a great idea to keep their hands and minds busy. jeannie

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

Cat — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:37:14 GMT

Sherri S.:

That is really cool, Cat! Its nice that they are teaching them things to occupy their time, somthing that they might continue to indulge in once they are out of prison. Thanks for sharing!

Those were exactly my thoughts!

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

Cat — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:36:01 GMT

I thought it was neat too!

I think he is actually in Arizona because (I think) it's Federal prison. He just had a very long list of stupid stuff and I don't know how the system works really but I guess it was enough this time to send him to federal but I think he's low security. Don't know really.

It's actually my husbands brother's (whom is now dead) friend in prison. He stayed with us for a couple weeks a few years ago helping Steve with some stuff around the house, trying to keep him out of trouble, but alas it didn't work for too long.

I just thought this was so cool so I wanted to share with everyone!

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

Pam — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:19:36 GMT

CrystalCubeBead.:
I was teaching basic electronics to some of the inmates under MPTA at the time

Bless you Stan, what a wonderful thing to do!

CrystalCubeBead.:
I don't know about Ohio, but there are several resevations around the state, and a very larege community of American Indians in Minneapolis. They constitute a very disproportionate part of the prison population here.

Sad, unfair isn't it!

Pam

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

CrystalCubeBead. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:03:22 GMT

I bought a couple of pieces of beadwork at the Minnesota State Prison back in 1970. It is stitched to/onto leather, and the back is laced on. This is typical of Anishinabe and Dakota Indians, at least in Minnesota. At the time I made my puchase, beadwork was rwestricted tothe cragts area. (I was teaching basic electronics to some of the inmates under MPTA at the time}

I don't know about Ohio, but there are several resevations around the state, and a very larege community of American Indians in Minneapolis. They constitute a very disproportionate part of the prison population here.

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

Kokopelli Design — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:01:12 GMT

Cat, those earrings are great! And such an unexpected place to look for beading!

Re: Beading from Prison...interesting

Sherri S. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:32:16 GMT

That is really cool, Cat! Its nice that they are teaching them things to occupy their time, somthing that they might continue to indulge in once they are out of prison. Thanks for sharing!