Our resident Tiny Gallery artist of November is Caroline Hatchell. A jewelry maker known for her intricate traditional bead weaving, we are honored to carry her earrings for the rest of the month to purchase! We spoke to Caroline about her creative tendencies, what drives her to create, and more.
JASPER: Was art in your family/childhood?
HATCHELL: As a child of the seventies, I grew up a latch key kid. I spent most of my time running free along the banks of the Congaree River. I did not have much art influence in my childhood home, but I was always drawn to creative endeavors. I remember I liked making mini bouquets out of the tiniest wildflowers. I also remember art in elementary school was very special and I always tried to make my "make and take projects" unique.
JASPER: Did you go to school for it or are you self-taught?
HATCHELL: I am a self-taught artist. My journey from weaving seed beads led me to eventually owning my own bead and jewelry supply retail store where I continued my journey to explore every facet of jewelry design.
JASPER: What led you to the medium you work with now?
HATCHELL:I picked up some seed beads at a local craft store when I was in high school. At that time, the quality of seed beads was low. I taught myself to weave the beads together, intuitively doing a traditional Native American weaving technique called peyote stitch. Seed bead weaving was natural, initiative and in tune with my spirit. While I enjoyed other aspects of jewelry design, eventually I came full circle, back to where I began, bead weaving.
JASPER: Tell me about the themes or ideas you usually chase in your work.
HATCHELL: Sometimes the patterns I use, find me, other times I choose things that emotionally engage my spirit. The raven, the snake, and the moon, for example, repeat in various forms and patterns in my work because they call to my spirit. I consider them spirit messengers.
JASPER: Tell me about the journey you embark on when you create, both emotional and literal/mechanical.
HATCHELL: I am continually at play. Beadwork is spirit medicine for me. When your spirit is called, you listen. Bead weaving is a very slow methodical, and meditative process. Hours and hours are spent on each piece, and since I make earrings, when I am done with one, I start over and do it again.
JASPER: What kind of pieces have you decided to show for Tiny Gallery?
HATCHELL: This showing is a collection of some of my favorite works from the last year. Some simple designs, some more complex designs. I had the highest intention to create a new body of work for this tiny gallery show but the universe had bigger plans for me. My spirit was suddenly called to make a great transformation. A transition to a new way of living, one that is in tune with my higher purpose.
JASPER: What’s your favorite memory and/or experience as an artist so far?
HATCHELL: I have a tremendous amount of gratitude surrounding my work. I am grateful for the knowledge I so intuitively possess; I consider that a sacred gift. I am also incredibly grateful that I am afforded the opportunity to do work that is authentic to who I am. I am also grateful that people have responded so positively to my work. My patrons seem to recognize, honor, and respect the skill, tradition and wisdom traditional bead weaving represents.
JASPER: What’s in the future for you? And where can we see your art after this show?
HATCHELL: Now that spirit has led me down a new path, settling high in Appalachian Mountains of NC, I am excited to see what unfolds for me here. Next up is to learn the traditional art of Appalachian heirloom weaving and learn the stories of the Appalachian women who wove these tiny mountain communities together. I also plan to continue bead weaving and just exploring the botany, and beauty of this place. Everything will happen exactly how it is meant to. If patrons are interested in future offerings, or custom beadwork, that information can be found on my website www.carolinehatchell.com.