Meet Casey Cavanaugh | Native American (Shoshone) Beadwork Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Casey Cavanaugh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Casey, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was taught to bead (appliqué style) by my Mom when I was in 7th grade and wanted to jingle dress, which is a style of category dancing for Native American pow wows; she said I’d have to help make my outfit. I spent over 40 hrs beading one butterfly, and at that time, didn’t have the patience for beading. I put the needle down for a over 20 years! But, then I was inspired by the beadwork of Jamie Okuma, a fellow Shoshone, and beadwork artist, who has really taken Native American beadwork to a new level of fashion (jokuma.com). I attempted at beaded a Christmas present for my Mom, about 8 years ago and since then, I’ve been beading steadily and have sold a lot of beadwork to friends and family. At one point, I offered a few items in downtown Phoenix at the Dine Bizaad store, but that closed permanently. In the last year, I started offering my beadwork online at
Beadedwithlovebycasey.com And most recently, in the last few months, I’ve been working on launching into a larger market beyond friends and family.
I enjoy utilizing natural elements in my beadwork including salmon skin, birchbark, shells, porcupine quills, fox fur, etc. And I like to make one of a kind, unique pieces.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud and excited to offer uniquely hand crafted Native American beadwork pieces. Beaded with Love by Casey beadwork creations are meticulously handcrafted to offer a blend of sophistication and cultural authenticity, ideal for both Natives and non-Natives for wear at special occasions or everyday wear. These beautiful pieces are made for clients who appreciate authentic Native beadwork infused with traditional components and a modern, sophisticated flair.
Artistic wearable pieces feature natural elements such as porcupine quills, birchbark, caribou hair tufts, dentalium shells, as well as beautiful embellishments including genuine crystals, 24-K gold plated or platinum beads and more! It took me over 5 years to build a clientele, set up a website and create an inventory. It can be quite difficult to create an inventory as beadwork is a very slow and methodical art, with pieces often taking over 10-20 hours or more to create. I have learned to be patient with myself and to often and constantly update customers with expected timelines for custom pieces. I am currently not accepting orders for custom pieces, as I am more than 6 months out, but there are over 40 inventoried items available on my website.
I want the world to know that you don’t have to be Native American to wear and appreciate Native American beadwork pieces.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Tempe Town Marketplace, Downtown Gilbert, Old Town Scottsdale for the food and atmosphere.
Odysea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland to escape the heat and explore animal/insect life.
T.C.Eggingtons–Great place for breakfast, lunch and brunch in Mesa, and has had the same menu for 30+ years.
Hale Theater-live performances in Gilbert (Patsy Cline, Little Mermaid and Christmas Story are great!)
Sporting event-Diamond Backs game or Suns game
The Heard Museum for a good history lesson on Native Americans, esp. the boarding school experience–this is very powerful!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My ancestors, my mother, my community.

I am so thankful for my ancestors and their survival so that I could be here today. I am thankful for the art of beadwork that comes from my Native American heritage and I am super thankful for my mother exposing me to the art and patiently teaching me traditional and contemporary beadwork techniques. I am extremely thankful for my community–the people who support my work by purchasing my pieces and getting the word out about my website.

Website: https://Beadedwithlovebycasey.com

Instagram: beadedwithlovebycasey

Image Credits
The two professional pics (main one and then the one in the white shirt) were taken by Reba Benally, Navajo Photographer in Phoenix, AZ. The rest are mine, taken w/ an Iphone