Jeanine Gaines began beading about three years ago when a friend taught her to make earrings. Her beadwork began as a hobby, but in those three years Jeanine has learned that beading is much more than a hobby or art.
“After my friend taught me to make the earrings my mother-in-law, who is Cheyenne-Arapaho, gave me some beads and taught be some technique as well,” said Gaines. “From there I learned some more technique from a book and even entered and won some contests.”
Currently Jeanine makes earrings, necklaces, brooches, hair clips, and moccasins.
“I was always interested in native crafting, because I felt it connected me to our culture since I live so far away,” said Gaines. “Before I started beading, I learned how to make California Indian style necklaces at the State Indian Museum. After that I learned how to make moccasins at the Sacramento Native American Playgroup. Next I learned how to make dream catchers at the Sacramento Native American Health Center. Anytime there was a class or a chance to learn, I was there!”
There are several opportunities to learn beading, regalia making, pencil drawing and language at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center. To view the calendar, please visit http://www.potawatomiheritage.org/calendar. To learn about cultural opportunities in your area visit your local museums and libraries.
You can find Jeanine’s work at http://www.etsy.com/shop/westernfiredesigns.