02 May Things We Love
Blue Sky Red Rocks Bracelet by Diana Ferguson
A perfect example of wearable art, Diana Ferguson’s work blends traditional peyote stitching with architectural and geometric interpretations to make bead-woven sculptures in jewelry form. “My goal is to create interesting pieces that work as fashion and also act as conversation starters,” Ferguson says. Working one bead at a time, the artist uses a needle and monofilament thread to weave precision glass cylinder beads into place, often taking 40 to 60 hours to complete one piece. We love the intricate details of this Blue Sky Red Rocks Bracelet, along with the bold architectural style that’s accentuated by dynamic colors and texture.
2.75 x 3.25 inches
$1,200
dianafergusonjewelrystudio.net
Handcrafted Hats by JW Bennett
Growing up on a ranch in eastern Wyoming, Sarah Kjorstad developed a strong work ethic and a connection to the land. She also recognized the importance of a quality cowboy hat, as her father and grandfather both donned well-made, functional, and stylish ones. This, along with a love of fashion, inspired JW Bennett, a Jackson, Wyoming-based custom hat company that Kjorstad founded in 2018. Featuring hand-stitched mountain detailing, the hats come in a variety of nature-inspired hues, and some are embellished with feathers and hand-loomed beaded bands. We love the fusion of traditional cowboy culture and contemporary style, along with the quality of materials that go into each one.
Custom sizing
Moulten Hat: $1,620
Ceramic Bubble Drinkware by Stephanie McGeorge
From her studio in Livingston, Montana, ceramic artist Stephanie McGeorge makes everything from canisters and napkin rings to pitchers and planters, some with more muted, earthy tones and others with vibrant hues that pop off the shelf. Her Bubble Mugs and Tumblers are the latter. Made from porcelain and white stoneware on a potter’s wheel, the surfaces are then painted with layers of bright, colorful underglazes and hand-carved with stripes and circles. While some are finished with a glossy clear exterior glaze, all feature bright white glossy interiors and lively designs that will most likely brighten up your morning coffee routine or daytime sipping style.
Mugs & Sippers: 4.5 x 3 inches, 14-16 ounces
Tumblers: 5.75 x 3 inches, 16 ounces
Starting at $75
Parfleche Leather Tote by Lauren Good Day
Artist and award-winning fashion designer Lauren Good Day is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation (MHA Nation) from the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota, and her work pays homage to her Indigenous culture. While she started with beadwork and tribal regalia, Good Day has become well-respected for her quillwork, ledger drawings, and rawhide parfleches, with designs that are often infused into her clothing and accessory collections. This parfleche tote is a perfect example. Made to order from genuine full-grain Nappa leather, it features Good Day’s colorful ledger drawings along with hand-painted edges, faux suede lining, and metallic gold hardware. We love how the piece blends traditional art with modern functionality, reflecting Good Day’s appreciation for quality, style, and her roots.
7.1 x 15.7 x 13.4 inches
$1,295
Montana Sapphire Jewelry by Alex Sepkus
Originally from Lithuania, Alex Sepkus developed an appreciation for beauty, balance, and precision at an early age from his father, an architect, and grandfather, a painter. After pursuing a graduate degree in industrial design, he discovered metalsmithing and infused these qualities into his innovative jewelry pieces. Often decorated with an assortment of gemstones and diamonds, his works combine an ancient treasure style with modern composition and flair. We love how the Old Pathway Necklace and Rainbow Candy Ring highlight Montana sapphires and feature his signature gold texturing and detailed geometric designs. Although Sepkus died in 2021, his legacy lives on through an extensive archive of previously unreleased work.
Old Pathway Necklace: $4,995
Pendant: 18K yellow gold, .6 x 1.14 inches
Chain: 18 inches
Rainbow Candy Ring: $4,355
Size 7
Wicked Felina Folding Screen by Eric Bowman
Painter Eric Bowman conceived the idea for this hand-painted Wicked Felina Folding Screen after hearing the classic song “El Paso” by Marty Robbins “for probably the hundredth time or more,” the artist recalls. He’d created and sold his first screen last year during the Prix de West at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, so when he was invited to the 2024 Night of Artists show at the Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas, he decided to make another one — but this one would have a strong Texas connection. Bowman hired Holton Studio Frame-Makers in Berkeley, California, to build a Craftsman-style folding screen, and then he worked on his designs. He broke the song into four scenes that he painted, choosing a descriptive lyric to accompany each one. Wicked Felina, it turns out, was a hit with the Texas crowd; Bowman went home with the prestigious Artists’ Choice Award, and the screen sold to an excited collector.
69 x 97 inches
$52,000
Jane Hunt Artisan Water Mixable Oil Set by Winsor & Newton
More and more artists have been turning to water-mixable oil paints for a healthier, eco-friendly alternative to traditional paints. While they work much like regular oils, with the same colors and thick consistency, these dry faster and are water soluble, meaning there’s no need for cleaning up with turpentine and other harsh chemicals. Artists can use them directly from the tube and thin them with water. Colorado-based artist Jane Hunt says that these are some of the reasons she uses water-mixable oils to create her sweeping landscapes and other nature-centric scenes. The award-winning artist has worked with the art supply company Winsor & Newton to create a set of seven tubes in colors that are based on her preferred palette, perfect for hobby artists and pros looking for a change. You can read more about Hunt’s creative painting process on page 158.
37 ml tubes
$74.99
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