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Specializing in custom, one-of-a-kind creations, Shelby’s bead art is an expression of mending brokenness. Beads, after all, are just tiny pieces of glass that have been precisely shaped, measured and deliberately broken. Those tiny, fragile broken pieces of glass become nearly indestructible, though, when they have been lovingly woven together.

Browse the gallery below for samples of Shelby’s work or learn more about the process behind these amazing creations. Feel free to contact the artist about availability and pricing, or visit her online store to see other items that are for sale, as well.

Ihoo Hatulpushik (Butterfly Woman), 2019

Learn more about Butterfly Woman and Shelby’s creative process here.

Auntie Deb, 2019

Loom stitched, size 15 glass beads, nylon thread, buckskin, aluminum cuff. 2” x 7” cuff bracelet.

This piece is now part of the permanent collection for the National Museum of the American Indian.

Sitting Bull Hat, 2019

Creative Collaboration with Lone Hawk Hats and Honeywood Vintage

In 2018, I created a one of a kind commissioned piece of beadwork for musician and hatmaker Charlie Overbey that brought to life one of his favorite memories - a snapshot of his daughter, clad in pink pajamas, sitting on the shoulders of metal rock legend Lemmy from Motörhead. I drove out to Los Angeles to deliver the piece in person, and quickly became friends for life with Charlie and Vanessa, his partner in life, love, and business.

We wanted to work together, and this Sitting Bull series was our first creative collaboration, and I know there’s more to come!

High Priestess, 2020
Loom stitched, size 11 glass beads, nylon thread, 9”x11.5”

This piece was inspired by a picture from a professional photoshoot featuring the beautiful and talented actress Valorie Curry. Valorie and I were neighbors when I lived in Brooklyn, and she is one of my dearest friends. Her fierce energy and beauty make her a perfect Celtic/Druid High Priestess, and it was my pleasure to bring this image to life.

This piece will be included in “Chiefs, Clans and Kin”, an exhibit curated by Fullbright Scholar and Muscogee (Creek) artist Laura Marshall Clark. The exhibit will be on display in Ireland in 2021. More details coming soon!

Available for purchase - contact Shelby for information. Prints of this piece are also available here.

21st Century Chickasaw Hatchet Woman, 2020
Loom stitched, size 11 glass beads, nylon thread, 8”x10”

I’ve always been inspired by the stories of our legendary Chickasaw hatchet women, who are remembered for fiercely defending our villages from the French in the 1720s. This portrait features a young Chickasaw woman of today (my niece Hannah Littlefield to be precise!), shown with traditional facial tattoos that were common for our women, along with an unconquerable glare for her opponent and the weapons of choice: hatchets. She is a modern warrior woman to inspire the generations to come after us, and those of us living today, of our fierce legacy of strength and protection as Chickasaw women.

Available for Purchase - contact Shelby for information. Prints of this piece are also available here.

Piominko, 2020

Loom stitched, size 11 glass beads, nylon thread, 5.5" x 6.75"

Piominko, whose name means "Mountain Leader," was a famous 18th century Chickasaw warrior and statesman, leading his people through the turbulent times of the American Revolution. You can learn more about this legend here. This commissioned piece is not for sale.

Blue Sitting Bull, 2018

Loom stitched, 3.75” X 4.5”

One of the first things that I created, this small loom stitched piece was inspired by a Rubik’s Cube mosaic portrait of Sitting Bull by Steven Paul Judd. Pictures of this image have been published in USA Today. This piece is not for sale.

Sacred Bond, 2020

Brick stitched, appliquéd to leather, size 11 glass beads, nylon thread 14”x 19.5”

There is a sacred bond that exists between a warrior and his horse that is undeniable. I follow the actor Eugene Brave Rock (best known for playing Chief in Wonder Woman) on Instagram, and when I saw this picture I knew he wasn’t acting. In real life, Gene is an avid horseman, and the genuine trust and affection between him and his horse come through in this picture. I created this piece using the brick-stitch technique with colors carefully selected to give a three dimensional effect. I then appliquéd the completed beadwork to leather similar to what would be used to make a saddle.

This piece will be included in “Chiefs, Clans and Kin”, an exhibit curated by Fulbright Scholar and Muscogee (Creek) artist Laura Marshall Clark. The exhibit will be on display in Ireland in 2021. More details coming soon!

Available for Purchase - contact Shelby for information.

Oka’ (Water), 2018

Brick stitched, size 11 glass beads, glass bugle beads, nylon thread, nylon ribbon.

Oka’ is the Chickasaw word for water. Inspired by fellow artist Mallory Taylor’s painting H2O, this piece is layered with deep symbolism and meaning. Mallory is like a sister to me, and this one of a kind wearable piece of bead art was created just for her. Modeled here by Isabella Aiukli Cornell, it is made up of over 80,000 beads and took countless hours to complete. This piece is not for sale.