I have been keeping busy and to myself for the time. Had a great time with family in Boston over the holiday season. Winter time is a time to catch your breath and begin fresh, which I am managing to do. I’m excited for a new development but its just that in the development stages and will not be out until March 2025! So, stay tuned.

In the meantime, I wrapped up a revamped piece which I am happy with but it is for an entry and will be released in due time. Been working on mini dolls, those are fun! Over did it a few weeks ago, so now I have to heal from a bit of tennis elbow. I know I’m getting older so things don’t just happen like they use to! lol!

Entered a few shows, filled out a few grant opportunities and some time to wait to find out, patience. I’ll be starting up the Ohi:yo Bead Group again at the end of Jan. through March, the ladies enjoy getting together. I’m glad for that. CRNY will be wrapping up this year and we are all thinking of the end result and what’s next. I am extremely fortunate to have been part of this collective and appreciate every moment of it. We’ll see what happens next, same as everyone else. I’ll be in touch again soon, maybe with photos this time! Stay Cozy!

This week on December 1, I’ll be set up at the SAAB (Seneca Allegany Administration Building) in Salamanca, from 10-2.

That evening I’m going to be at the Ganondagan Haudenousaunee Art Show for the evening reception and then go shopping at their market!

Then I’ll be in Erie at the Erie Art Museum for a class on the Strawberry pin cushion and then on to the Springville Council on the Arts – Arts Cafe for the Black Ash and Sweet grass star ornament!

Busy times and I’m looking forward to them all. It’s just the weather right now with its unpredictability. I’m sure I’ll make them all and hope to see you out there. Everyone is gearing up for the Holiday season, even Mother Nature. Stay toasty and safe.

There are still spots available for our Beadworking workshops with Seneca Nation artists this coming Sunday!

Create Flat Spiral Weave Bracelets with Samantha Jacobs of the Cattaraugus First Nation, OR discover the cultural heritage of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois/Six Nations) by crafting beaded velvet pin cushions in honor of the strawberry with Penelope S. Minner.

Choose one of two workshops. Both are $50 for members and $65 for non-members. Members use the code BEADS for your discount!

I was at the Burchfield Penney Art Center along with Marissa and Tonia, 2 other CRNY Haudenosaunee Artists out of Ganondagan in Victor. We were busy sharing and showing the public cordage and material goods from natural fibers. Marissa set up a station for twining scraps of fabric so they could get the idea behind the technique we used and still continue to use in our art. We had a very good day and a great audience of folks who came through.

I will next be at the History Center of Tompkins County in Ithaca making corn husk dolls with folks for the morning and afternoon of Veteran’s Day. Another activity for the younger folks to listen to the story of why the corn husk doll has no face. There are various versions as I had mentioned prior, this story is my favorite version. The information is on this page: https://www.thehistorycenter.net/event-5372164?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=11/6/2023

After that I will be at the Seneca Iroquois National Museum’s Winter Art Market with some small items for sale, as well as the Winter Art Emporium put on by the Clerk’s office at the SAAB or Seneca Allegany Administration Building . November 18, and then on December 1, 2023

Corn husk has been the material of the moment, so I am doing a few things while I can. All while still juggling everything else! lol, life goes on, I hope you are enjoying it. Until next time.

I can’t believe it’s already time to think of the leaves falling off…
But here we are. My schedule has a few things in it, but I will do what I can for both Fall Fest. and the Falling Leaves Festival.

I was at the Portville Free Library on Monday to make corn husk dolls with the kids. It was a nice visit.

I’ll be at the History Center of Tompkins Co. in Ithaca again in September and October and also helping with the Bead Conference later in the month. A few trips planned as well. Hopefully, all will go well. Here’s the poster to share.

Did a demonstration at Howe Caverns at the Iroquois Museum on my background with the black ash basketry and corn husk work. Met a lot of folks from around the area and shared my love for our traditional arts and culture. Education and preservation are one of the key components of my talks. It was a beautiful weekend, set out on the back area with a nice breeze, it was a raining trip to the location but then it was gone!

Also, did a splint and sweet grass class at the Cuba Circulating Library in Cuba, NY with some patrons. 11 ladies came out to participate and they were all very happy with their results.

So, I am able to take a breath and fill out the orders I have in and get prepared for the Fall Festival in Irving. Yes, I said it, getting ready and planning mode for fall. Oi!

Be back soon, flyers were not yet circulating.

We haven’t even finished up with summer and I’m already getting booked up for the fall/winter time! Eek!

Been busy completing some orders I took along the way and the new space has taken up some time also.

I’ll try to post the posters as they come out. Busy calendar. Keep hydrated and enjoy the summer season.

Find us here also!

We’ve been working on this for some time now and its finally nearing our grand opening date! The CRNY (Creatives Rebuild New York) collective here on our territory is opening a studio space for the public to see! Exciting to see the hard work behind all of the artists. It will be this Friday, July 28 from 5-8 pm at our new location at 215 Broad St., Salamanca, NY. If you are around stop by and meet the artists. Planning a good variety of events. Attached the poster here for you to see. More to come.

As you may have figured, I’ve been absent again here. Been a busy time here in my world. I’ve been updating my CV and other works for another opportunity and I have works in the Erie Art Museum (beaded face mask); Burchfield Art and Nature Center (Photography – She Realizes); the Springville Center for the Arts (various baskets/beadwork) and had made a donation to the Rochester Contemporary Art Center for their 6x6x2023 campaign!

I’ve had a few trips and a few demonstrations and still they keep coming…lol. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it! So, I’m trying to keep doing the art and this gets by the way side. So, if you get a chance to follow me on instagram put my handle in penelope.minner and you will see the immediate updates.

Otherwise, I’m going to keep on keeping on and hope this website doesn’t fail on me and vice versa. I try. Got to get back to the other works chore. But I will be at the Canadea Field Days on July 1 in Houghton, NY doing a demonstration and at the Seneca Joe Curry Pow Wow under the Seneca Iroquois National Museum Cultural Tent doing a demo as well. Here’s a little cutie I made at Shenandoah Creates! loved my time there.

Busy summer ahead. Got to get to it. Enjoy!

Photography and artwork was done by my self. The doll is made of corn husk, yarn and calico fabric, wool and size 13 seed beads. I was doing my interpretation of the story that was mentioned in last post.

She looks into the water to see she no longer has a face. The children ask how can she eat? How can she see? All good questions. We don’t like to say she is punished but she was negligent in her duties and tasks before her. She has consequences for her actions or lack there of. I always say she has them but she can no longer see them.

No one is above you or below you. We are all equal. This goes to treating people with the same considerations and dignity in which you would like to be treated. Be respectful and mindful . And don’t forget your tasks at hand. Be humble and kind.