Folk Art workshop, ‘Tuscarora Beaded Coin Purse’ offered on August 4

The Newark Valley Historical Society is hosting a folk art workshop in making a Tuscarora beaded coin purse on Saturday, Aug. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bement Billings Museum located in Newark Valley. All materials are provided. To register, call Leslie by July 25 at (607) 642-5412. 

Students in this workshop taught by Nicole Printup, Native Tuscarora, will learn how to make a small beaded coin purse. This was an item historically traded and sold at Niagara Falls many years ago, but is also used today and is very functional. Students will learn to do a special edging, a raised flower, and learn how the coin purse is put together from start to finish. The finished project is similar to that shown in the photo. 

The Tuscarora’s in particular are known for their raised beadwork, just as each of the other Iroquois nations Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk have a unique style of beadwork on their traditional regalia. Traditional Tuscarora beadwork from the 1800’s was done in various shades of white and clear beads, using a larger bead size.  

The Tuscarora women would make small items such as the coin purse, pincushions, boots, and picture frames to sell at Niagara Falls. Trademarks of Tuscarora beadwork included multiple edgings and writing on the pieces. Words or phrases such as “From Niagara Falls”, “Tuscarora”, “Good Luck”, or the date were often beaded on the items sold at Niagara Falls.  

The beadwork then evolved into a more “whimsical” or contemporary style in the 1900’s. Colored beads have been used, along with colored thread, and also bright colored velvets traded from the Europeans. Each piece has a story or meaning behind it; whether it represents a story, tradition or how the artist got inspired to create the piece. Each artist has their own way of doing things, which makes each piece unique. Native artists feel it is important not to copy other artists, but to create their own unique work.  

Nicole Printup is a member of the Bear Clan of the Tuscarora Nation, and was born and raised on the Tuscarora Reservation, located in Lewiston, New York.  In recent years Nicole has been a full time student, earning her BS in Business Administration from Niagara University. She has won awards for traditionally beaded outfits in the child and adult categories, purses and picture frames. She has represented her nation as an award-winning Beadwork Artist and Honorable Mention at the Santa Fe Indian Market. 

In the past, Nicole has also represented her nation as the 2002 Tuscarora Indian Princess and as the 2003 Princess for the North American Iroquois Veterans Association. Additionally she is a hairstylist who enjoys being a mom, running marathons, weight lifting, baking, and sharing her work with others.

Her grandmother has played a role in teaching Nicole how to bead, and Nicole is paying it forward for the next generation. She volunteers in teaching the basics of traditional Iroquois style Raised Beadwork at the same Tuscarora Indian Elementary School after school program she attended as a youth. 

All are invited to come join the class and Nicole Printup to create your own Tuscarora beaded coin purse. The participation fee is $35 for Newark Valley Historical Society members and $40 for non-members. 

To register, call Leslie by July 25 at (607) 642-5412. Scholarships are available. Visit the Newark Valley Historical Society website at www.nvhistory.org for more information.