Meet Katie Rogers | Artist & Beadess

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

Hi Katie, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
To be true to myself. To create what makes me happy and fuels my passion, not necessarily what is popular or easy. When artwork is created with joy, I believe the piece carries that joyful energy and it translates to the appropriate collector/viewer. It is a risk and it may not be an immediate success to follow your truth, but I have found that rewards follow eventually. I think success is being able to do what you love everyday and feeling supported by those who believe in you. Success is to create pieces that connect with people in a meaningful way, not just “matches the sofa”.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
About 5 years ago I was gifted my gorgeous antique Cherokee bead loom, a gift from my aunt and passed to her by my grandmother. I began my journey in teaching myself the craft of and producing my own loom beadwork. I studied and am inspired by Indigenous patterns, techniques and adornments. To honor the seamstresses in my family, I free hand stitch into my loom work and collected recycled vintage silks, finally finding my voice and creating my own unique style. Combining my original beadwork with collected natural elements, I am able to craft one of a kind statement jewelry pieces or wall adornment for the home. I aways create with intention and attempt to tell a story that will connect to the piece’s audience or speaks to work’s forever home. Creating work that truly connects to people is an absolute honor. My hope is that the story of where each cherished collected component comes from in my work gives good energy to the final piece and carries to the artwork’s final home.

I believe the most important lesson I’ve learned in the journey of becoming the artist I am today is being true to myself no matter the challenges it may face. Even if it leads you down a harder path, creating work that is driven from a place of deep intention is going to be more satisfying to you and will speak to the person it is meant to live with. Never stop growing and learning new things about your technique. My work and I are always evolving, it’s alive and exciting! Connect with others who share your drive, lift you up and inspire you, they will help you get through the down moments (because you will have them) and they will be your biggest cheering section when things are really moving.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely visit some local farmers & craft markets, check out the High Museum of Art for inspiration and maybe find a good local restaurant for appetizers and a refreshment!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh my goodness! I am so lucky because there are so many who support, mentor and believe in me. My Mom and Grandmothers were always a creative influence in my life. I bought my first beads and made my first pieces with my Mom when I was 12. My Dad and my husband, Chris, are both supportive and set great examples of hard work and not giving up when things get tough. Chris is also a creative influence, many times he has inspired me to look at a part of my work in a different way (not to mention he’s the muscle behind getting me set up for festivals and shows).

I returned to beadwork and tribal influences after bellydancing for 6 years. I also found supportive dance sisters who continue to give inspiration and most recently I have connected to a number of female small business owners and creatives who drive me to keep following my dreams. Of course, my 2 wild little girls inspire me everyday to stay creative, color outside the lines and set an example that as long as they work hard and keep an open mind, they can be whatever they want to be!

Website: www.ktribedesigns.com

Instagram: ktribedesigns