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It was in the few moments of quiet reflection before dawn with a newborn asleep beside me that I savored a cup of green tea and breathed in its subtle fragrance of grapefruit. 

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The tea box was graced by a tiny figure surrounded by, entwined with, or maybe completely composed of delicate fruits and flowers. 

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From the moment I marveled at this piece (wow! are those all little beads???), to the time I tucked it away in my trove of random treasures, I wondered about the bead embroidery artist and cancer survivor Celestial Seasonings had invited to design the tea box art, Heidi Kummli. 

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Through some research I unearthed the facts that Heidi's stunnning beadwork has earned many awards, her book has received much praise, and she is considered one of the great masters of this art. 

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While I found her creative accomplishments impressive, I still wanted to know more about the spirit of the person who began to emerge.  In unraveling the story of a woman who draws inspiration from her connection to the Earth and uses it to create intricate treasures, I discovered strands of serene strength, generous compassion, and kindness woven throughout. 

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That is why it was my priviledge to be able to sit down in our online cafe and chat with artist Heidi Kummli and find out more...

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Q:  Tell me about the challenges you have overcome. What does it mean to be a survivor?
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   A:  I believe we are all survivors, life slams us all with challenges. We become stronger people and learn so much from mistakes and hardships. The year I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer was tough, I had never really been sick before and the surgeries and chemo treatments were difficult. My dear father passed away a week before my treatments were to start and I felt he was my anchor. But instead he became my guardian angel.  I remember sitting in the meadow as a golden eagle presented itself and I knew that I could face my fears as we all do at some point in life. I feel my cancer was a gift in someway.  It taught me so much about life and to really appreciate what we have. It seems many people need to have life changing experiences before they realize this.

Q:  You are an extraordinary artist. Describe how you began to pursue this passion.

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   A:  Thank you, I don't think of myself that way, my work flows from a deeper place a reflection of my surroundings and the universe. I have been an artist since I was a child. I remember making jewelry from pinecones and bottle caps. Art was the only thing in school I got A's in and truly enjoyed. I used to do watercolor paintings and never was able to get in any art shows with my painting. I remember seeing a beautiful pair of beaded earrings a lady was wearing and the next day I went to the local bead store and bought a how to book and some beads. I entered them in a local show and got right in.  I have been doing beadwork ever since and that was back in the 80's.

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Q:  Who or what are your greatest influences and inspration?
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   A:  I'd have to say Virginia Blakelock really opened my eye to beadwork being more than just stringing beads. She had an article in Threads Magazine showing her beautiful beaded collar necklaces. This opened the door for me-- I immediately started working on a larger scale and made my first collar which was a hugh success. I feel my pieces are a reflection of nature and honoring the animals and life forms around us. We have so much we can learn from our natural surroundings if only we can slow down and observe them.

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Q:  You are both an artist and teacher. What has the experience of helping others been like?
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   A:  Teaching is a new thing for me, as I get older I realize I need to share my knowledge and gifts. My first book "The Art of Bead Embroidery" co-written with Sherry Serafini was a real shift in my direction, I enjoy sharing and feeling the excitement that the students get when they learn something new. I am working on a new book "The Spirit of Bead Embroidery" which will delve more into animal totems and healing with beads and stone. This was inspired by working through my cancer and how healing beadwork can be, it has a way of being very meditative and calming. I also started "Healing with Beads" after my cancer. I used my bead connections to get people to donate beads which I take to cancer centers or schools and let the patience dig through the beautiful beads which we than string and make into something wonderful to wear and healing in the process. I believe if we can all do something positive and peaceful in our lives that this will pass onto the next person, and this is where the direction of our planet needs to go.

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Q: You've been described not just as talented, but as being a kind person. How important is that to you?
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   A:  Thats a very high compliment, loving kindness I feel is the only way to be. If we can be compassionate to our surrounding not only people but our brother and sisters in the animal world as well as nature it will reflect back upon us. We need to realize that we are all connected, what we do to others we also do to ourselves. Treat the world as you wish to be treated it's really quite simple but we as humans get lost in our daily lives and thoughts to much.

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Q: Describe your favorite place or your favorite things or your idea of a perfect day...
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   A:  I guess I am lucky to work at home as there is no other place I would rather be. I live at 9000 ft in the rocky mountains with my husband and 15 year old son. I take my two dogs on a walk twice a day everyday no matter the weather. This is my favorite time to be out in nature with the animals, rocks and trees, they have so much to teach us if only we can be still enough to listen. I love spending time with my family as well just having them near me knowing they are safe and happy makes me content.

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Q: What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
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   A:  I guess I would have to say my son Ben, he has grown up to be such a wonderful person not only is he my son but also my best friend along with my husband. I feel very lucky to be able to make a living off my art and for 20 years in 2010, people might say this is an accomplishment but to me it's just what I do to make a living. Life is so much deeper than whats on the surface we are here to experience life for the whole of the universe not just us as individuals. If I can bring a smile or beauty into this world than that to me is an accomplishment.

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Q: What's on the horizon for you?
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   A:  Well I am working on the new book and teaching has become a new path and growing. I always have designs in my head of things I want to create, but if there is one thing cancer has taught me it's to try and live in this moment not get to carried away with future as we never know whats around the bend.

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Join Us Backstage With Our Featured Members  >

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<  Return to My Guide to the Backroads of America

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