Unearthed: The Beads of Fremont State Park and Museum

You may recall that back in November I went out to Utah to visit my parents.  I wrote a post about a few of my favorite things out there and how they inspire my work.  Well, I had another wonderful trip and got to visit Zion,  Snow Canyon State Park,  Arches National Park and my favorite was actually this little side stop on the way home... Fremont Indian State Park and Museum.

Fremont State Park is located off of I-70 near Sevier, Utah.  This little gem of a site contains pictographs, petroglyphs and a host of other artifacts left behind by the Paiute Native Americans.   This site was used as a place for seasonal travel between two hunting areas.  

In addition to all the fabulous petroglyphs and pictographs, there is also a small museum.  I only got to spend a few minutes inside but I managed to snap a few photos while in there...

Of course I photographed the most important things....beads!  

I'm ashamed to say I passed right by all the artifacts recovered from the site just so I could quickly gaze upon the beads, pendants and buttons that have been recovered.

I love the simplistic look of the beads even though they took time and skill to create.  Makes me want to return to some more simplistic designs.

I wonder how much more is still out on the site just waiting to be discovered.

In the early 1800's, the site was used as a wagonroad.  In 1877, the Lott family settled in the Canyon. These sewing bits were discovered at was once the site of their homestead.  

I wish I could have spent a few more hours at the park but we had been on the road for hours returning from Arches.  I suppose it gives me an excuse to visit again in the future.

Oh, remember that rock shop I wrote about in the prior post?  I went there again on my second day of the trip.  Since it was the end of the season, the owner didn't have as much stock BUT I still managed to find some goodies.

There's an assortment of dendrites, wonderstone, picasso stone, unakite, turquoise and a couple of trilobites.  Most of these are gifts that I still need to send out (oops!).  

Anyway, if you ever get a chance to visit Southern Utah I highly recommend Fremont Park and Museum AND a trip to Springdale Utah for the rock shops and Zion National Park!

Happy Beading!

Inspired By A Trip To The Desert

Yesterday I landed in Las Vegas.  My parents came and picked Colin and I up and drove us out to their home in Southern Utah.  We visit them once a year out there and I LOVE it!  I always come home from this trip filled with inspiration.  Let me show you why...

My parents live in the desert.  This is a short drive from their house.  

We usually go out for one or two hikes while we are there.  My parents took some rockhounding classes at their local community college and so we search for petrified wood, fossils and various stones.  

Sometimes we get lucky and find one!  You've probably noticed that spirals and fossils are a recurring theme in my work.

About 45 minutes away from their home is Springdale, Utah.  Springdale sits outside of Zion National Park.  Two of my favorite places are located in Springdale.  The first is The Worthington Gallery.  Located inside a historical home, this gallery is FILLED with amazing local pottery and art. I always select a few pieces to bring back with me.  

Also located in Springdale is this fabulous rock shop.  I go nuts in here every year.  Do I need more cabochons?  That's a ridiculous question!  Of course I do!

I created this ring using a septarian nodule cabochon I purchased from that shop.  The shop owner is  a lapidary. He uses septarian nodules local to Utah and a variety of other stones, including a few local jaspers.

And of course, if you drive through Springdale you end up in Zion National Park.  It's kind of hard to not be inspired by this place!  Look at those layers of color and all that texture!

And speaking of Zion, I'm heading out there today.  Going to stop at the rock shop first, then Worthington Gallery and then head into the park!  I wonder what kind of inspiration I'll come back with this time.

Happy Beading and Happy Thanksgiving!

Diana P.

Suburban Girl Studio LLC

Treasures from the Desert

I just got back from a week and a half visit with my parents in southern Utah.  While I was out there I got to do two of my favorite things; visit the best rock shop EVER and go rockhounding.

What's nice about my parents house is that you can explore the Mojave Desert by either walking down the road or just off-roading a couple miles out.

Some of the wonderful things you can find out there include; petrified wood, jasper, quartz and agate.  As you can see, I picked up some great pieces while wandering about.

I also got to visit my favorite rock shop located in Springdale, right outside of Zion National Park.  This place is always full of cabochons, fossils, jewelry and more! It's a family run operation and the husband cuts most of the cabochons himself.

On this trip, I picked up several pieces local to Utah including septarian nodule, picasso stone (picture marble) and some trilobite fossils.  I also purchased some ammonites (for mold-making), turquoise and snowflake obsidian (for bead embroidery...Ooooo) and an orthoceras pendant.

The desert is full of treasures and I'm excited I was able to find and bring some home with me.

Happy Beading!

Diana P.
Suburban Girl Studio LLC