Caryn W. Stedman

Cathead basket with inkle woven band and wrapped King Cobra Jasper

Opal and Gold Ring

I am an independent artist, weaver, basket-maker and jeweler working out of my studio in the shadow of Thimble Peak in the Catalinas, hence, Thimble Peak Studio.
I have lived all over the world and my work reflects the influences of the cultures and artistic traditions I have experienced. Now making my home in the desert Southwest, and my art reflects this unique and beautiful environment.
I create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using precious and semi-precious gemstones wrapped in sterling, gold or copper. I often combine these pieces with hand-braided Kumihimo lanyards in either silk or beads.
I create baskets that reflect the beauty of our desert flora, notably the Large and Small Barrell Cactus baskets and The Agave. I have begun incorporating pieces of my hand-woven fabric and wire wrapped gemstones into my basketry as well as deer antlers (naturally shed ).
I weave fiber into cloth creations using a variety of looms and techniques multi-harness, rigid heddle and tapestry looms, inkle looms, bead looms, tablets, and braids on a wood marudai.
Because I treadle my looms and spinning wheel sans shoes, my 3-d art brand is “The Barefoot Treadler.”
My 2-D art is primarily composed in acrylic sometimes on reclaimed wood, such as whiskey barrel lids or antique windows in reverse glass painting (hinterglasmalerei/verre églomisé). While still-life and figure drawing were the focus of my art in my earlier years, I have more recently become enamored of landscape paintings inspired by our beautiful desert surroundings.
In addition to being a member of the Southern Arizona Arts Guild (SAAG) juried in painting, basketry, and jewelry making, I am an active member of the Tucson Handweavers and Spinners Guild (THSG). My woven fiber, basketry, braiding, beading, and jewelry items have been juried by that guild.