Maker Spotlight – Get To Know The Face Behind The Brand.
Meet Cindy from Alaska To India Beadworks. Cindy resides in Douglas, Wyoming. Her love of beading started in 1989 when her village brought in Athabascan elders to teach in the schools in junior high and she has been beading since, in various styles. Her work, her Wearable Art, because that’s what it is, is constantly evolving. She finds inspiration in people, colors, cultures, Mother Nature, a thunderstorm… Cindy enjoys 60s, 70s, 80s classic rock, going for walks, traveling in her own neck of the woods or around the world. She has a world map on her wall with pins in all the places she’s been fortunate enough to see. She loves this quote, “I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world. ” —Mary Anne Radmacher. Travel changes us for the better. At least, that’s her belief! When she is creating her unique beaded pieces of art she enjoys listening to music, audio books, and listening to movies or series.
Alaska To India Beadworks specializes in one of a kind beaded earrings using materials such as otoliths, salmon skins and the highest quality beads. She also makes her own findings. Cindy happily accepts custom orders and currently has 6 custom spots available for April. Please DM her on IG for questions or to book a custom, she offers free consultations. Cindy will also have something fun coming up for her birthday in May so follow her to keep updated!
Here are some words from Cindy:
-What made you want to start creating?-
“I’ve always had the desire and NEED to create in one medium or another. I am also a full time writer and photographer, and editor, at my day job.”
-Would you like to share any family info? Pets?-
“I am a mom to two amazing adults and G’mom to three boys. All my babies are back home in Alaska. I’m blessed to be loved by an amazingly sweet black lab who let me adopt her.”
–What is your MOST FAVORITE item you have created?-
“I made a bead embroidery piece for my mother, for the top of a wooden jewelry box my mate had built for her. The beadwork top is multi-dimensional, an underwater scene, with freshwater pearls, abalone and more. It’s one-of-a-kind ❤️”
-What makes your shop unique? What is your specialty?-
“I create by using hand-plucked Alaska Cod and/or Halibut otoliths (bony fish ear ones or crystals) along with dyed Pacific salmon skin leather, fine silk threads, copper, silver and gold wire work, both Czech and Japanese glass seed beads which are hand-woven stich by stitch and bead by bead by me to create beautiful and unique Wearable Art for my clients. I bead with an inordinate amount of love and good intentions in what I create as that energy transfers to the client. 💜”
-What is the story behind your business name?-
“I grew up in Alaska, but as long as I can remember, I wanted to visit India. I finally did so, in 2009. I moved there in 2010 and continued to live there off and on for several years, going back and forth between Alaska and India. My beadwork style is influenced by both what I learned as a youngster in Alaska and an adult in India, and with many years in between.”
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