Bead Size: Does it Matter?

I don’t even have to tell you, 2020 has been rough. I don’t think I’ve stayed home this long in my entire adult life. From sourdoughs to Tiger King, quarantine has brought us many cultural moments.

But my favorite cultural moments are the ones in our little Native world. I mean, have you seen any video on #nativetiktok? Do yourself a favor and go there now. 

While there is no denying our communities have been greatly impacted by Covid-19, I’ve also loved witnessing how we have responded. I’ve seen people taking time to learn their language, starting to harvest and grow traditional foods and gardens, thriving in the outdoors, letting their creativity flow through beading and art, the list goes on and on. 

“Coronavirus is an unprecedented time that has brought us unprecedented time. ”

Coronavirus is an unprecedented time that has brought us unprecedented time. So I did something I thought I’d never do, want to do, or have the time to do—I started beading. And oddly enough, I loved it.

From my failed lessons as a tiny tot, I assumed I didn’t have the skills nor patience. The trick is to just start, and don’t stop until you finish. Start something simple and you’ll be surprised what you end up with. Beading is less about the skills and more about the perseverance to see the project through.

My first few earrings were literally monochrome, because truthfully I didn’t know how to match colorways. 

Next, I decided to take on larger projects, and started beading moccasins for my relatives. The whole process made me feel good. So many people have cared for me in my life through providing me regalia and beautiful beadwork pieces. Beading was a small thing I could do each day and ultimately feel a sense of accomplishment with a finished product. There was no pressure, just a whole lot of freedom and joy.

This was my full circle moment, where I was able to put that love and care back to the people I love so dearly through my beadwork and art.

(Re)discovering beading has been a game changer for me, it’s like a gift that keeps on giving. It wasn’t about being the best beader or fastest, it was about tapping in to a new creative process. Beading was an outlet that provided me quality time and bonding with the matriarchs in my family and allowed me space to soak in all their wisdom. It was so much more than simple stitches--a lesson I failed to grasp my first time around. It was an art form that took care of my spirit.

So my hope, for you, is that you have been taking care of yourself and your spirit. Taking care during quarantine is what is going to bring us through this pandemic together. Because truthfully, it isn’t about the bead size, but rather doing something our people have done generation after generation, seeing the gifts of a pure form of expression.

And while we all can’t wait for this time to be over, take a moment to be grateful for the moment now. We may never have this time again. So whatever it is you want to do or have been waiting to do, just start. Now is as good as time as ever. 

In the spirit of care and giving back, I want to spread the love to you! Follow @thechapterhousela, look for the post about this blog, and enter for a chance to win these beaded strawberry earrings! 👇👇

Strawberry earrings forever…