Amanda Whitlow

I’m constantly inspired by the people, animals, and plant life around me. Most of my creations stem from the beauty I see on my day to day. I got into beading through my grandma Whitlow who also beaded and made quilts. I love revisiting her old patterns and putting my own take on them. It’s a way for me to connect with her, even though she’s no longer with us. Beading is my favorite medium. Doing it puts me in a meditative state. If I close my eyes, I can see her sitting near me on her couch, smoking a cigarette, and playing solitaire with a deck of cards. Other times, I can picture her outside gardening and taking breaks in her lawn chair. I’ve always been amazed at the amount of hours she could spend working on beadwork and quilts. It’s fascinating to think of how we have transformed technology and have access at our fingertips to share our work. Her and my grandpa would pack up her quilts and beadwork and go on trips to places like New Mexico to sell her items back in the day. To think of me now doing the same without the travel needed, I know would make her proud.