Beaded Purse c. 1940

This is Stella Mosher’s beaded purse, made sometime in her long lifetime spanning the 19th and 20th centuries, and it’s like a painting, only with beads. Imagine her, patiently threading each tiny bead, the rhythm of the process becoming a form of meditation. The surface is a field of soft pink, interrupted by bands of olive and dark grey, each bead catching the light like a tiny daub of paint. There's something so intimate and personal about the handcrafting, a sense of time slowed down, each gesture deliberate and considered. You can see the legacy of folk art, where the everyday is transformed into something beautiful and meaningful. The beaded tassels at the bottom sway like brushstrokes, adding a playful energy to the piece. It reminds me of the work of artists like Liza Lou, who use craft techniques to create mesmerizing and immersive artworks.