Gearing up for the first market of the season- Portland Saturday Market!

Hi! My name is Carrie, the artist behind Foundcrow Studio. My little studio was born from my lifelong love of beading and, unfortunately, the Trump admin's 988 crisis hotline layoffs. It all felt like such a pipe dream- that I might be able to actually provide for myself with my creative work. And hey, it might still be a pipe dream... guess I'll be finding out tomorrow at the first Portland Saturday Market of the season!

I'm so excited. I still can't believe my application was accepted through a juried process. Today was booth allocation, and I was even able to snag a corner booth!

I'm still in crunch time, working through the night to prepare for what is supposed to be a massive turnout tomorrow. I feel imposter syndrome nagging in the back of my mind, a familiar old friend from my time as a high school teacher. 

Almost all of the beads used in my newest pieces were obtained through acts of kindness rather than money. I took a kind woman moving to Costa Rica back and forth to the DMV in exchange for some gorgeous semi precious stone beads, and I'm in the process of creating a memorial necklace for a kind woman who inherited a bead collection from her late friend of 35 years.

I find value in authenticity and genuine connection. That will always be more valuable to me than any money or stones or jewelry ever can be. The pieces I'm creating with these beads feel extra special- what better luck can one have than wearing jewelry made in part thanks to the kindness of strangers?

Anyway- Time to go work on the last few pairs of earrings I'll have with me tomorrow. Each piece is one of a kind- I hope you find something that makes you feel seen and worthy of the same kindness that you give others. ❤️