Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray O’Keefe
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After a lifetime(27 years) of drawing and a failed art degree, my Lakota Native best friend invited me to bead with her after learning herself.
The experience set my heart on fire, I couldn’t stop thinking of ideas, colors, patterns, it completely consumed me.
Four and a half years later, the feeling has only become more intense.
I left my 10 year welding career in December of 2024 to pursue beading full time; it’s changed my life in the biggest possible way, all because my best friend asked me to try it with her.
I put hours of life, emotions, creativity, and dreams into each piece. The process is slow and beautiful and it never fails to set my heart on fire.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In terms of self doubt, it’s been very rocky. I definitely took a leap of faith in quitting my stable career. Online sales have always been low for me, maybe selling a dozen pieces a year.
I was afraid of doing markets but signed up for one to force me to get my act together, and it dissolved a lot of fears!
Everyone was extremely kind and I was welcomed into the vendor community warmly. Any self doubt I felt before has been shoved down for now, I’ll deal with that in therapy.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Hand beaded jewelry is my thing, every piece is made one bead at a time. I source high quality findings from other small businesses and always buy Native first when it comes to glass seed beads.
I feel the most pride when I finish large pieces; 14″+ long tassel earrings are my favorite at the moment, but I’ve been challenging myself with making unique, small designs and am very happy with them!
I am very aware I am a settler on Native Land doing a traditionally Native craft. It’s a cultural medicine and art form that is working extremely well for me and I do my best to stay in my lane.
I won’t use traditionally Native patterns, supplies, or color combos. I ensure all my pages state I am Not Native to avoid any confusion.
I’m very happy doing exactly what I do and am ecstatic I got the opportunity to give it a solid shot! I’m hopeful it will be a long term career and am grateful for the support I’ve received from my friends and the community!
How do you think about happiness?
Aside from beading, I adore funny little guys. Art dolls, MCM Japanese animal antiques, Pokémon. Our apartment is filled with figures and stuffed animals and I get a lot of inspiration from them!
More than that, being with my friends is what decorates my life. I would be lost and bored to death without them. Ideas and ugly laughs flow freely when we’re together and it feels like everything is right with the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inkrayart.com
- Instagram: inkray.art
- Facebook: inkray.art
