By Morgan Taylor, Reporter
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma- Aubrey Frye is a Muscogee (Creek) citizen and local bead artist. Frye uses her ability to weave small beads together to create jewelry and accessories in the form of Native American handmade beadwork.
Frye was introduced to beading two years ago by a former co-worker who had invited Frye to Facebook groups where people share various beadwork tips and tutorials.
“I bought my first set of needles, seed beads and loom from Walmart the very next day,” Frye said.
Through lots of trial and error, Frye taught herself to bead with the help of tutorials on Facebook and YouTube.
“It was difficult when I started,” Frye said. “Each style, stitch has its own challenges. I have torn apart and restarted more projects that I can count.”
The most popular items that Frye creates are badge reels and earrings. The prices can range from $15 to $40 depending on the style, size, and quality of the materials used. She also makes other jewelry items too like necklaces, bracelets, hair accessories, stickers, and other miscellaneous items. On occasion, when life is not so busy Frye will make custom pieces, but for the most part she sticks to her regular pieces.
Frye has a primary, full time job as well as a daughter. Beading is something of a hobby for her. It has become somewhat therapeutic for her after a long workweek.
“I will start by sketching my idea on paper. From there, I will add a color palette or vice versa. Beadwork is my way to de-stress after a long week,” Frye said. “I love being able to create the little ideas that pop into my head and make something beautiful.”
Frye’s posts and updates followers on new projects and takes orders for her beadwork creations through her social media sites as well as her Etsy shop.
Frye is also entering into more projects and they can be viewed by following Aubrey Frye on social media.
