Bio Link
Tara has trained with several artisans in metalsmithing and beadwork techniques. Tara works part time from her studio at home. Tara’s jewelry and wraps are currently sold through the web site and at Rehfeld’s Art and Framing in Sioux Falls, SD; The Center for Western Studies Gift Shop in Sioux Falls, SD; Aviena in Sioux Falls, SD; Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD; South Dakota State Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings, SD; and Museum of Visual Arts in Sioux Falls, SD.
Red Door Creations | Sioux Falls Jewelry and Art
Sioux Falls Woman Magazine Article
This article was written by Thea Miller Ryan and featured in the Artistry Revealed section of "Sioux Falls Woman" in the February 2012 issue.
"Finding yourself in "Forbes Magazine" isn't something many South Dakota artists can claim. Last year, Tara Barney had her creative jewelry made from corn put her in the news. Not only was she in "Forbes," she also made "Business Week" and many other publications around the globe.
"Corn jewelry is my favorite type of jewelry to create," she said, "because when you combine corn with glass beads and semi precious stones, the possibilities are endless."
She uses dried South Dakota corn, similar to the corn used on Mitchell's famous Corn Palace, combined with semi precious stones to create the one-of-a-kind, popular pieces. But her jewelry isn't only of the maize type- come of her work includes non tarnishable craft wire wrapped around South Dakota agates, embellished with beads.
Tara has trained with several artisans in metal smithing and beadwork techniques, in addition to some formal art classes in South Dakota and Colorado.
Her jewelry creations can be found at Rehfeld's Art and Framing, Aviena Vintage and the Center for Western Studies in Sioux Falls. The Corn Palace in Mitchell, the Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings and the Ingalls Homestead in DeSmet also carry her work. She'll also have her work for sale at the 32nd Annual Artists of the Plains Art Show and Sale Feb. 17-19 at the Holiday Inn City Center, Sioux Falls."
Contact: www.reddoorcreations.com
"Finding yourself in "Forbes Magazine" isn't something many South Dakota artists can claim. Last year, Tara Barney had her creative jewelry made from corn put her in the news. Not only was she in "Forbes," she also made "Business Week" and many other publications around the globe.
"Corn jewelry is my favorite type of jewelry to create," she said, "because when you combine corn with glass beads and semi precious stones, the possibilities are endless."
She uses dried South Dakota corn, similar to the corn used on Mitchell's famous Corn Palace, combined with semi precious stones to create the one-of-a-kind, popular pieces. But her jewelry isn't only of the maize type- come of her work includes non tarnishable craft wire wrapped around South Dakota agates, embellished with beads.
Tara has trained with several artisans in metal smithing and beadwork techniques, in addition to some formal art classes in South Dakota and Colorado.
Her jewelry creations can be found at Rehfeld's Art and Framing, Aviena Vintage and the Center for Western Studies in Sioux Falls. The Corn Palace in Mitchell, the Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings and the Ingalls Homestead in DeSmet also carry her work. She'll also have her work for sale at the 32nd Annual Artists of the Plains Art Show and Sale Feb. 17-19 at the Holiday Inn City Center, Sioux Falls."
Contact: www.reddoorcreations.com
Learning to Knit
I took a knitting class about four years ago at a store called Yarn Knit. I remember it felt very awkward to get those two needles to produce a stitch! My finished piece was a lopsided square which I gave to my son for a teddy bear blanket. After that, I bought a very helpful book called "The Knitter's Companion" by Interweave Press. However, I learned to knit by practicing with my friend Margaret while we were working at the Horse Barn Arts Center that winter. She was very patient with me and we had a lot of laughs during slow days when there weren't many visitors! I made scarf after scarf and donated them all to the Giving Room at our church. The Giving Room is a place where people donate gifts for children to buy for family members at Christmas time. Each gift costs $1.00. My son loves shopping there every year! Unfortunately, I have not learned how to read patterns yet. So far, I make scarves, Cozy Wraps and shrugs. I invented the Cozy Wrap, Button Scarf and shrug patterns myself. I did make one hat with Margaret's assistance and it turned out pretty good for the first time. I think when I pick up my next pattern, it will be for a long, warm cloak to wear during the fall. Post a comment about your knitting experience here!
Contest!
This week we are having a contest to promote the Red Door Creations page on Facebook! On Friday at 3:30 pm we will be giving away a beautiful corn bracelet made by Gabrielle. It is easy to enter. All you have to do is go to our page on Facebook and like, share or comment. Your name goes in my old straw hat each time. This week the focus is on corn jewelry in honor of our upcoming article in the February issue of Sioux Falls Woman. The article also showcased an agate necklace I made, so the focus in next week's contest will be agate jewelry! So far we have 16 new fans and I want to welcome each of you the Red Door Creations. Be sure to check out our web site www.reddoorcreations.com to see all our products and services!
Corn Key Chains
Would you look at me?! I'm actually blogging for the second day in a row. I just gave myself a pat on the back! Today I posted our new product, corn key chains, on Facebook and I got my first order! Yippee! I have to thank Gabrielle for these designs. I had originally designed the "Raindrop" key chain with 20 gauge wire, but after talking it over, we decided the wire was to rigid. Gabrielle came up with the "Corn Rows" and "Raindrop" design using our flexible beading chord and wa-la! New products were born! I just contacted the South Dakota Corn Growers to see if they would be interested in buying some of our products wholesale to use in their promotional events. Afterwards, I immediately sent up a prayer! This could be an awesome opportunity for us!
How to Make a Corn Bracelet
Tools: needle nose pliers, crimping pliers, wire cutters
Supplies: two packs of corn beads from www.reddoorcreations.com, two colors of size 8 seed beads, beading chord (we like Beadalon seven strand), lobster claw clasp with matching jump hoop, crimp beads
To begin: Use your wire cutters and cut an 8 1/2 inch strand of beading chord, thread two crimp beads onto the chord and the lobster claw clasp, loop the beading chord through the lobster claw clasp and crimp beads, squeeze crimp beads closed with the crimping pliers
Next Step: String one bead of your first color onto the beading chord and snug it up to the clasp, string one bead of your second color onto the beading chord, string one bead of your first color onto the chord (For example: yellow, copper, yellow), feed five kernels of corn onto the chord, repeat pattern until you can wrap the bracelet around your wrist
Final: End with the same beads you began, thread two crimp beads onto the chord and loop through the jump hoop, squeeze crimp beads together with crimping pliers, trim excess beading chord with your wire cutters
Enjoy wearing your corn bracelet made with South Dakota grown corn! You should be able to find your supplies at any hobby store that has a jewelry section, however, I always encourage people to shop their local bead store. It is important to support your local small businesses! If you are in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area, I recommend the Bead Company downtown on Phillips Avenue, which is where we by all our supplies! See our bracelet example on our Facebook business page Red Door Creations.
Supplies: two packs of corn beads from www.reddoorcreations.com, two colors of size 8 seed beads, beading chord (we like Beadalon seven strand), lobster claw clasp with matching jump hoop, crimp beads
To begin: Use your wire cutters and cut an 8 1/2 inch strand of beading chord, thread two crimp beads onto the chord and the lobster claw clasp, loop the beading chord through the lobster claw clasp and crimp beads, squeeze crimp beads closed with the crimping pliers
Next Step: String one bead of your first color onto the beading chord and snug it up to the clasp, string one bead of your second color onto the beading chord, string one bead of your first color onto the chord (For example: yellow, copper, yellow), feed five kernels of corn onto the chord, repeat pattern until you can wrap the bracelet around your wrist
Final: End with the same beads you began, thread two crimp beads onto the chord and loop through the jump hoop, squeeze crimp beads together with crimping pliers, trim excess beading chord with your wire cutters
Enjoy wearing your corn bracelet made with South Dakota grown corn! You should be able to find your supplies at any hobby store that has a jewelry section, however, I always encourage people to shop their local bead store. It is important to support your local small businesses! If you are in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area, I recommend the Bead Company downtown on Phillips Avenue, which is where we by all our supplies! See our bracelet example on our Facebook business page Red Door Creations.
Prairie Palette
I founded a drawing group seven months ago called "Prairie Palette" and we currently have six members plus two high school kids we mentor. The group meets every Monday at 10 am at our church here in Sioux Falls. We already had one exhibit at the Museum of Visual Materials and I invited my parents car club and all the members invited friends and family. We had a good turn out with a crowd of about 75 people! We are planning another show in March in the "Common Grounds" room at church, which is where the congregation meets to have coffee, socialize, play games and read the paper. The drawing group is where I met my assistant, Gabrielle, who now works with me at Red Door Creations. I am able to maintain my drawing skills with this practice once a week and the group is a great way to get out and socialize, since I work from home. I really look forward to this weekly gathering with friends!
New Addition
I want to welcome my friend, Gabrielle, to Red Door Creations! She is my first official employee! She is an artist I met at Drawing Group and she is working toward getting her teaching certificate. She has become a wonderful tutor for our son, Jacob, in spelling and reading and she is a natural with jewelry making. A true Godsend! We are busy working toward my goal of another 100 corn necklaces! We think, we can, we think, we can!
A Helping Hand
For anyone in the Sioux Falls area looking for good, free advice on writing a business plan, you should contact Mark at the Small Business Development Center! He emailed me a business plan template which will save me a lot of time and be much more efficient, since I can just plug in the information.
He offered to review my business plan and do my projections! I will be handing my paperwork in for the PASS program through Social Security on December 29. This is the first plan of its kind that my rehabilitation counselor has worked with, so she is not sure how fast the paperwork gets processes and the funds are delivered.
All I know is that I want to get mom and Margaret on the payroll ASAP for all their hard work and dedication. I couldn't turn out beautiful, unique corn necklaces at this rate without their help!
He offered to review my business plan and do my projections! I will be handing my paperwork in for the PASS program through Social Security on December 29. This is the first plan of its kind that my rehabilitation counselor has worked with, so she is not sure how fast the paperwork gets processes and the funds are delivered.
All I know is that I want to get mom and Margaret on the payroll ASAP for all their hard work and dedication. I couldn't turn out beautiful, unique corn necklaces at this rate without their help!
Business Plan
Not many people are aware that I am disabled. I have deformities in my spine and a short leg, so I suffer from chronic pain. I go to the chiropractor once a week, I get antinflammatory injections, I do my exercises, I use traction, and I wear a lift in my left shoe. Needless to say, I have some obstacles to work around. I have been making and selling fine art and crafts since 1990 but I have really focused on turning my hobbies into a profitable business these last four years.
My rehabilitation counselor, Holly, told me about a work incentive program for people with disabilities. I need to complete a business plan which I will do with some help from Mark at the Small Business Association. When the paperwork goes through, I will be able to purchase two tables that can be pushed down or pulled up depending on my needs. With my condition, it is actually better for me to work standing up.
I have been fortunate to have friends and family help me keep up with the demands of my business, but I will need to hire a part time worker in January so I have more reliable help. This is all very exciting!
My rehabilitation counselor, Holly, told me about a work incentive program for people with disabilities. I need to complete a business plan which I will do with some help from Mark at the Small Business Association. When the paperwork goes through, I will be able to purchase two tables that can be pushed down or pulled up depending on my needs. With my condition, it is actually better for me to work standing up.
I have been fortunate to have friends and family help me keep up with the demands of my business, but I will need to hire a part time worker in January so I have more reliable help. This is all very exciting!
