Beads for the Sole   

 

By James H Nottage    

 

 

It is amazing sometimes how misinformation gains and maintains a life of its own, no matter how carefully we try to debunk errors about art, artifacts, history, and culture. I am convinced that one reason for this is simply that people can be surprisingly lazy, no matter how passionate they are, about really trying to become their own authorities when it comes to the things they collect. A case in point is wonderful beaded Northern Plains moccasins that also have the bottom surfaces fully beaded in colorful designs compatible with the tops.

It was more than a few decades ago when during my childhood I was told that these were "burial moccasins." Over the years since, I have heard curators, collectors, and dealers use this reference and it often appears in collector publications and even in museum catalogs. One historian tells us that these were first observed in the 1870s on the bodies of Sioux found in burials after battles. As a result the myth began to grow. There is truth that such fully beaded moccasins were found in burials and that it was common to dress the deceased in the finest way possible. For a long time now, we have known that these were not identified by the cultures themselves as having been made for burial purposes. The cost of materials, the effort to create, and the status that came from such fine belongings was a matter more of stature and material wealth. Within a burial they were also a sign of respect.

 

 

PHOTO ABOVE: Late 19th century Lakota moccasin with fully beaded sole. 

 

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Bob & Charla Nelson 

 

Jeff Voracek

"My passion for collecting has saved me from too many trips to the bar!" he says with a great laugh... 

by Jayne Skeff

"No, don't print that!" he laughs again. But, sorry Jeff, as I said, that has to go in - you are just too funny.

Jeff Voracek is one of those rare people who is, at the same time intense and cerebral, yet can laugh at himself in an instant. A laugh, by the way, that's infectious, matched with the grandest sense of humor.

He was born determined and intense, he recalls. By the age 5 in kindergarten, he knew he wanted to be a builder. By the age of 19, he was a general contractor restoring and renovating historic buildings in Sacramento, where he was born. It was that interest in history that has both fed his building career and fueled his passion for collecting. His curriculum vitae, if you will, of the buildings he has worked on, provides an immediate insight into how he has combined his passion for history with his passion for building: the California Governor's Mansion, the Legislative Bill Room for the state capitol, several buildings in Old Sacramento on Front Street - just a few of his accomplishments.

But his collecting habit started early as well. Growing up in Sacramento, an area steeped in Old West history, he had already amassed quite a collection of old tins, bottles and western artifacts by the age of 10. He was embraced by several of the old timers who could see that, even at that young age, he was serious about his interest. "They would give me things. Some I still have today, including a barbed-wire collection. I remember when the gentleman gave it to me he said, 'Hang on to this, it's going to be worth something,' and, indeed he was right."

The automatic assumption when one becomes so involved in a niche hobby at a young age is that parental influence was involved. "Not at all," replies Jeff. "As a matter of fact, my parents were not collectors at all, I guess I was just born to it."

Driven by an inner desire to learn and involve himself in Western Americana, Jeff has become an avid source and expert in American Indian blankets, particularly Navajo, Indian baskets with a specialty in Chumash and most recently jewelry. "My wife really loves the jewelry," Jeff comments. When Jeff does something, he doesn't do it half way - he dives right in. He bought the entire content of the Tee-Pee Store at the MGM Grand when it closed - over 50,000 pieces of American Indian jewelry. "I guess that kind of sealed the deal on me becoming an Indian trader," he says with a smile.

What does one do with a collection as large as Jeff's? Well, in typical Voracek style, you find an old run-down building in the tiny historic Gold Country town of Penryn, CA. You take is from shambles to Shangri-la and open a stunning gallery - the likes of which are seen in the Gold Country. Open by appointment only, Red Mesa Gallery (see the before and after photos on the left) is filled with the finest American Indian textiles, California fine art, Plains material, pottery, furniture, and, oh yes, a most exquisite selection of jewelry.

Half way is not in his vocabulary in business nor leisure. During last summer's Santa Fe shows he decided that he and his friends should exercise and go hiking, but the shows closed near dark. The faint of heart would have hiked early morning but Jeff convinced them to get started after dinner. With headlights (and hopefully some wine) they hiked 'til midnight. "It was glorious - try it some time," he muses!

When you see Jeff at shows, at his side is Andrew - an engaging, equally intense young man, who Jeff is now mentoring, with an equal passion for collecting and a particular interest in guns. Oh, yes, and then there's Erik Anderson with whom Jeff always shares a booth at shows. Jeff Voracek and Spirits of the Plains Gallery make the perfect team for collectors and shoppers seeking historic Native American textiles, beadwork, pottery and much, much more.

One last comment from Jeff: "Make sure you note that my Red Mesa Gallery in Penryn is just outside Auburn (CA) because everyone knows where Auburn is but no one knows where Penryn is." Hint - it's along beautiful and historic Highway 49 - the perfect place for Jeff's Gallery.

Jeff Voracek
Red Mesa Gallery
2253 Penryn Road, Suite B
Penryn, CA 95663
(916) 813-5333
redmesagallery@gmail.com
www.redmesagallery.com
Open by appointment only
www.spiritsoftheplains.com

Edwin George Field (1920-2011)

by Joseph Sherwood 

Renowned bit and spurmaker, Edwin George Field of Santa Barbara, California, passed away peacefully at 91 years of age on December 19, 2011.

Many of us remember him as a fixture at the Santa Ynez Museum & Carriage Historical Society show, outside in the sunny courtyard, in front of his rack of bits and spurs, happy to be among those of us who honored him and his skills. A fifth-generation silversmith, he shared his craftsmanship with his son, Gary, who carries on the legendary Field family tradition. Ed also apprenticed his granddaughter, Jessica Menefee, and nephew, Mark Shields.

Ed was young when he started in his grandfather's, John Chester Field's (1862-1954) shop. He became an adept silversmith under his grandfather's instruction and participated in the Santa Barbara Fiesta days where the family showed their wares and his Great-Grandfather's saddle is in the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum. Many people visited Ed's shop in Paradise Canyon where he was sure to show them his newest creation. He was loved by many, befriended by most, and known internationally as an expert silversmith.

Ed worked at many ranches in the tri-counties in his youth and knew the country well. He and his brother Walt worked at the Polo Fields exercising the horses until he started with the US Forest Service. He rode his favorite horse, Don Juan, throughout the back country and later Jack joined him. Ed fought in World War II in the Army in the 97th AAA (Antiaircraft Artillery). He shared many stories of when he and his brothers, along with Armand and Toppy caroused the mountainsides (they called it running cattle) and hung out at the Blood Spit Saloon in Los Olivos. Ed patiently awaited to ride again with Armand Schmitter and Toppy Reece.

Ed leaves his loving wife, Jessie (Wilson), and their four children: Kathy Davis (Jim), Mike Field, Gary Field (Patti), and Nette Shumaker (Jon), along with eight grandchildren, Ed Field, Lena Williams, Josh Field, Robin Pacheco, Jim Davis, Travis Davis, Jessica Menefee, and Lea Montes; also leaving his nine great- grandchildren, Melissa, Christina, Beth, Jaylon, Jianna, Julian, Kylan, Jeremy, and Blake. Ed reluctantly left his favorite dog, Blue - don't worry he will be fed and kept warm.

This month, we present cowboy poetry by Bob Frost...    

Celebrating the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, AZ
and written with respect to Paul McCartny and the Beatles.


The morning air drifts by in near silence
Sun shafts begin to light the darkened sky.
My morning walk is a special quiet time
I can ease into a private personal space.
Almost dreaming, I hear sounds of the past.
Footsteps of a Hohokam family from the valley floor
Here searching for saguaro fruit and seeds
They left a message almost like a song "Let it be".

Walking further up the ancient trail, I see life abundant
From the valley these mountains appear lifeless and brown,
Existing as a pale backdrop for colorful imports.
But, here up close, it's all shades of life.
Home to the bobcat, coyote and mountain lion.
Home to the cactus wren, darkling beetle and chuckwalla.
Home to the field mouse, fox and javalina
Together they sing to me, "Let it be".

I feel like every plant here is in its proper place.
Each rock and cliff and wash speaks its character.
Ancient plates moved to push the ground skyward
Wind and rain, heat and cold were the design team
Time has worn the granite smooth and round.
Some tumbled down, some remain in place.
Alluvial fans like fingers reach down and embrace.
Slightly trail scarred, the McDowell's reiterate, "Let it be".

Walking back down the trail, rising heat distorts the valley scene.
My view is long and wide upon the sprawling busy city
The mountain song remains in my mind, "Let it be", "Let it be".
                    
Scottsdale Poet Laureate
www.bobscowboypoetry.com