Member Meet-Up: Beadwork with Neta Old Elk

About the Artist

My name is Neta Old Elk, and I am an Apsáalooke (Crow) beadwork artist and the creator of Crow Beads by Neta Old Elk. My work is rooted in the teachings of the women who came before me—the grandmothers and family members who taught me that beadwork is not simply something you make with your hands. It is something you carry in your heart.

When I sit down to bead, I am connecting myself to my ancestors, my family, my culture, and the generations who will come after me. Every bead is placed with intention. The colors, patterns, materials, and time invested in each piece are part of a larger story—a story of who we are as Apsáalooke people and the strength of the traditions we continue to carry forward.

I create contemporary adornment while honoring the beauty and spirit of Crow beadwork. My pieces are meant to be worn, cherished, and passed forward. When someone chooses to wear my work, they are carrying a small piece of my hands, my prayers, my teachings, and my love with them. For me, beadwork is an act of remembrance and an act of continuation. It allows me to honor those who taught me while creating something meaningful for those who have yet to learn.

I do not bead simply to preserve the past. I bead because our traditions are alive. They continue to evolve, speak, and find their place in the lives of our people today.

Every piece I create is a connection—between generations, between culture and contemporary life, and between my hands and the hands that taught me.

—Neta Old Elk