Artist Biography
Tonja Carlson has an Associates Degree in Arts and Science from Northwestern Michigan College. Native American art and designs have inspired her since 1969, when her father founded the Grand Traverse Metis, a historical reenacting group -reenacting half bloods of Northern Michigan in the 1770s. Drawn by her love to create, Tonja found it easy to incorporate beads into her embroidery designs, eventually creating beadwork exclusively.
A Choctaw native whom she met
at Fort Michilimackinac taught her how to bead in the early 1970s, when Tonja and her family would participate in the Memorial Day weekend pageants in Mackinaw City, MI. She has been beading on leather for 35 years, now extending her creations to jewelry sets- necklaces, bracelets and earrings- yet still incorporating her sewing abilities into many of her designs. “There is so much you can do with a needle and thread.” Tonja says. “I enjoy keeping history alive with my Living History lectures around the state for groups and at school camps”.
Tonja has done commission works as well. One such piece was a necklace complete with porcupine quills for Elder Frank Ettawageshik of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa. Frank wore this piece at the White House, when he signed the 1994 treaty with President Clinton. She also designed and executed an entire leather garment –cape, skirt, leggings, moccasins and hairpiece for Marge Pifer. She designed the piece to follow the Cree of northern Michigan and southern Canada.
Tonja enjoys teaching at local shops and art centers as well as private gatherings.
She is willing to work with all ages and skill levels.
She has taught classes for beginners thru advance since January 2006, creating the designs and instructions for each class. She is a beginning beading instructor for the Extended Education Class at Northwestern Michigan College.
Tonja’s work can be found in galleries in Traverse City and Kalamazoo, MI, as well as the Houston, Texas area. She is an active member of Bay Area Bead Guild of Traverse City.
Tonja’s warning to everyone who beads: “Beading is highly habit forming, very contagious and no lifeguard on duty. But there are also no calories. So enjoy and have fun.”
