A real delight was the opportunity to meet with Joni Stinson, founder of the Native American Forum Thread. Started in November 2009 to celebrate Native American month, the forum is currently running in its sixth edition on Etsy. An exciting promotion and sale of Native American-inspired items is running from November 1st to 21st to celebrate the Native Forum’s first anniversary. (Find these items on Etsy by clicking the search bar at the top right of any page, click on “All Items”, and type “NAPromo” into the space.)
Now a highly-respected venue for promoting Etsy artisans’ favorite Native American or Native American Inspired work, the Native Forum is lively and fun. Participants from around the world join in, we love bacon at our virtual parties, move the on-line campsite regularly to new fabulous locations (currently “located” in Fossil Creek, Arizona), and are learning Cherokee words. The forum generates amazing opportunities for spiritual and artistic growth and healing, too. Many special friendships have been formed, both on-line and in-person meetings. Check out the current thread at Native American Forum on Etsy.Having seen some pictures of Joni Stinson before we met, I knew what she looked like. What I didn’t realize is that this beautiful, petite woman had the deepest voice I could imagine! Must be like a Lioness sounds when talking! We met near her home in Omaha, Nebraska. Joni emerged from her car wearing one of her spectacular handcrafted beaded necklaces, with a beautiful turquoise blazer complementing the exquisite colors of the long rose-themed piece. Everything about her was glowing color and warmth.
Joni is a descendant of a red-haired Irish mother and Creek-Cherokee father. She learned the Native American art of bead weaving from her paternal aunts, who wanted to make sure she was becoming well-grounded in her Creek and Cherokee heritage. Over dinner, I learned that Joni started selling her own handmade beaded pieces several years ago after attending Native American festivals, creating her own niche for reasonably priced, high quality, Native American artisan-crafted jewelry. She has also supported and nurtured hundreds of talented artists through the Native Forum thread!
The Native Forum’s November anniversary promotion provides exceptional opportunities to obtain handcrafted artisan items directly from the artists for your holiday gift giving, at prices ranging from $5 to $500. We will also be offering prize giveaways of many beautiful items. Joni contributed these starry earrings for one of the prizes ...
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The Native Forum’s November anniversary promotion provides exceptional opportunity to obtain handcrafted artisan items directly from the artists for your holiday gift giving, at prices ranging from $5 to $500.
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We will also be offering prize giveaways of exquisite artisan-made items.
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| Kokapelli Suncatcher by HandyAnn |
Additional temptations among the handmade artisan items and prizes from some of the participating artists include the delights featured here!
Be sure to check out the participating artists and prizes for great handmade art by searching “NAPromo” on Etsy between November 1st to 21st. Bring some special joy to your holiday gifts!
More than 30 Etsy artists are participating in this event. More information will be available in coming days, so check out my shop page, and watch for info on Facebook and Twitter.
More than 30 Etsy artists are participating in this event. More information will be available in coming days, so check out my shop page, and watch for info on Facebook and Twitter.
