“Floral Journey with a Twist” and Other Cherokee Beadwork by Martha Berry | Style Imitating Art

Another week means another piece of art to offer us sartorial inspiration…

About Style Imitating Art

Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, Terri of Meadow Tree Style, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as presenter, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the presenter by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the presenter will share all of the submissions on her blog.

You don’t have to be a blogger to join either! In fact, you don’t even have to join but you can still use the art to inspire an outfit just for the sake of trying something different. If you want to share your inspired outfit, we invite you do so on Instagram or any other social media platform that you prefer. Just be sure to tag SalazarTerri, and Shelbee or use #TeamLOTSStyle and #StyleImitatingArt so the hosts know you have joined. Go have some fun in your closets and join the SIA challenge next week!

This Week’s Presenter

It is my turn to choose this week and I am really excited for this one! I was inspired by my recent trip to Cherokee, North Carolina, where I found myself in awe of the beautiful crafts and artwork of the local Cherokee community. I brought home a gorgeous fleece blanket for Ralph (he has a slight obsession with fleece blankets) and a knife that was made from stag antler by a local craftsman for Archer (he has a small collection of hand-carved knives that he cherishes). I don’t know who was more excited about my souvenir picks, my kids or me!

I have always felt a very strong spiritual connection to the indigenous tribes of America for as long as I can remember so I really felt compelled to share some traditional tribal artwork for this round of Style Imitating Art. But I struggled choosing just one! So I offer you two works of beaded magnificence by Cherokee artist, Martha Berry.

The Artwork
Floral Journey with a Twist (Beaded Bandolier Bag) by Martha Berry
Close up of the bandolier bag: Glass seed beads on wool broadcloth, linen, silk, wool yarn
Image Source
Kamama (Butterfly) (Traditional Cherokee Ladies Purse) by Martha Berry
Glass seed beads on wool, cotton
Image Source

I am really drawn to the bold colors and the stunning beadwork designs, but I have no idea what to style to adequately represent these gorgeous pieces. Hopefully, some magic will flow when I step into my closet room!

For more information about the artist and this style of traditional beadwork, check out this fascinating article…Stitches in Time: The Rebirth of Southeastern Woodlands Beadwork.

If you want to be featured with your art inspired outfit in my gallery post on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, be sure to submit your photos to me at shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com by 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. 

Happy styling, my friends!

Keeping it on the edge, 

Shelbee

Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.

I am a 40 something Army wife and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats named Dave and Frankie. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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Shelbee on the Edge