Artist Profile | Michelle Lowden

Michelle Lowden is the owner of Milo Creations, and hails from the Pueblo of Acoma. Located in New Mexico, Acoma is known as being the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America.

Interestingly, it is this ancient legacy that informs the contemporary work produced by Lowden (she is pictured left, wearing a pair of her earrings). She specializes in creating jewelry hand-painted with detailed geometric designs on lightweight basswood. Although her designs have a distinctive urban street vibe, her inspiration actually derives from traditional Acoma pottery, which is historically known for its intricate and dazzling patterns.

Video | To Feel the Earth

This trailer for the upcoming documentary "To Feel the Earth: Moccasins in the Southwest" is a co-production of the Indian Arts Research Center at the School for Advanced Research and Red Ant Films. The documentary is a part of a traveling exhibit that highlights moccasins in Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache cultures and also addresses the importance of wearing moccasins. Herb Stevens, Will Tsosie, and Pat Tenorio are featured in the film, along with moccasins made by Gary Roybal, John Garcia, and Edwin Herrera. Former Harvey J. Branigar Jr. intern Jessica Metcalfe is also featured, due to her expertise in Native fashion. Click here to read more.

Artist Profile | Avis O'Brien

We've recently added a new artist to the Beyond Buckskin Boutique. Her name is Avis O’Brien, she is Haida / Kwakwaka’wakw, and she heads up her company, Nalaga Designs.

I'm very excited to introduce her work to the Boutique because her work - her cedar bark woven jewelry - represents an important continuation of the ancient legacy of Northwest Coast woven adornment. She fuses age-old techniques with modern style to create jewelry we can wear to work, to gatherings, and for events. Click below to read our interview and learn more about this artist.

BBB Anniversary Sales Event

Happy Anniversary to Beyond Buckskin! One year ago today I launched the Boutique not know what was going to happen - would people respond to this new thing we've started? Would they support it? Would it provide new opportunities for Native American designers and artists? Would the world take notice?

The boutique launched the morning of May 7, 2012. I was still in Tempe, finishing up my contract with ASU and putting to end a dark chapter in my life. I put my heart and energy into this new project. "It could work," I thought.

BB Facebook | Best of April

I post a lot of fashion news on the Beyond Buckskin Facebook Fan Page. It's a great way to share info quickly without having to write an entire post on it.

Every month I take the time to compile these tidbits into a 'Best of' post where I highlight some of the coolest images, the most interesting articles, the biggest misappropriators, and the neatest videos that were posted to BB's Facebook page.

So here you go, fashionistas, the Best of April: