What I'm feeling now…

Since the winter I'm feeling a Native American vibe and loving all the intricate beadwork and associated color palettes.  I've gone through many American Indian phases and here I am again.  I'm reaching for a necklace I bought in my 20's during my first trip to Santa Fe.  I bought it on the mall at their weekly market from an older woman who used a carburetor as the armature!   It's not just inventive it's also gorgeous and I still love it.
 
There was an auction at Christies featuring Native American collectibles including antique beaded moccasins.  I couldn't stop thinking about them.  I went online searching for beaded moccasins I could wear  -- envisioning a sunny spring here in New York, white jeans and colorful beaded mocs.    My search ended with what could have been the ultimate pair.  I found a company in North Carolina called KQ Designs.  They make custom beaded moccasins -meaning they bead according to your design and also make the moccasins according to an outline of your foot!  Of course most people are probably ordering these for ceremonial dances but I thought they would be tremendous just to walk around in.  I designed a pattern, outlined my feet, sent in a package and by the time they got my deposit they had too many orders to fill!   So they are obviously very busy and beaded mocs are in high demand.

To infuse some Native American into the lighting here at Canopy I found an old black & white etching and applied it for a different version of the Bell Jar lighting pendant.    We also constructed a Totem Pole in clay... molded it and used it as the center of our new Totem Pole chandelier with some unusual turquoise colored beads at the bottom.  Both these lights are on the website under "New" chandeliers.

For jewelry I wanted to mix Native American earthy beading with a glitzier array of stones to add some zing and a quirky nuance.   I found some patches with Native American patterns and other materials that I combined with rhinestone chain and hanging stones for some new necklaces.

It's taken a little longer to post this new website and this blog.  So here I am…. Its springtime, I'm sitting in my office wearing white jeans … wishing I was wearing the mocs!

Welcome to the Canopy Designs blog. This area of our new website will be the place I can share pictures and thoughts that are inspiring me. Images and ideas from my world that are making an impact on me and sometimes drive the designs here at the company. I will also photograph interesting pieces that are running through the factory—sometimes finished pieces and sometimes pieces in progress—new chandeliers we are introducing and custom pieces that were not available to be seen in this way before. There will be times when Jo or Carlos (who work in the office) will also contribute from their perspective. I’m hoping this blog will give you better insight into the culture here at Canopy, how we function, our capabilities and what drives us. Most important, I hope you find this new website a valuable tool to work the line. We spent a good deal of effort re-photographing everything so you could see the pieces in much more detail, there is a magnifying tool to get closer in than the original website allowed for and we are showcasing a wider representation of everything we offer. Enjoy looking and please don’t ever hesitate to call us with any questions. We are here to make your life easier and more glamorous.

Merrie