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

Hi Kahala, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
During COVID, I decided to reconnect with my culture through clothing making, food ways, and beading. I taught myself how to bead after taking a beading class at Phoenix Indian center and by watching a YouTube video on how to make brick stitch fringe earrings. I then decided to expand and explore flat stitch jewelry. I made my first pair of earrings in February 2021. From there, I created my Instagram account in June 2021 and that is how Tsalagi Beading came to be. I created my business more as a hobby. I work full time as well as a parent to an 8 & 10 year olds and a partner to a tattoo artist. So I wanted a creative outlet that has grown to a beautiful thing I do- As they say Beading is Medicine.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So my art journey actually started after I had my kids. As a stay at home mom, I was able to draw while the kids slept. It also helps having a partner who is super creative, he draws, paints, sculpts and now does tattooing. He inspired me to try out spray paint art. I created a few stencil pieces, but after starting my full time job I just didn’t have the time to cut out the meticulous stencils for what I wanted to create. So that’s when the beading came into play. It was something I could do in my down time that didn’t take long (like spray painting layers). From there I just wanted to create all the art that I could that would be worn by anyone and everyone!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So I am a home-body, but I love just exploring! I love visiting all of the museums in Phoenix, checking out all the murals on the streets. But then to come home to Tempe. It’s changed so much in the time I’ve lived here. There are so many options.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The biggest shoutout is to the beading community on Instagram! They are amazing and support one another from all over the world!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TsalagiBeading?load_webview=1&bid=fQbbUVuugUFo1F47J7btAXl6uB5-

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tsalagi_beading?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=

Image Credits
Photo of myself was taken by Morgan Ah Leong of Prickly Pear Photography LLC

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.