My name is Tsoonklah Tamaree Kawagley, I’m a Certified Tribal Artist, member of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board & the sole proprietor for my small business- Raven’s Nest Handmade Gifts. I design and make fiber art featuring traditional Alaska Native and original designs using contemporary techniques and hand-dyed yarns. I created the patterns my crafts are made with, since I designed them to be interchangeable I can confidently say each piece is truly unique since the design components can be chosen intuitively, freestyle. Traditional designs have mathematical elements, symmetry and balance. Tlingit Formline art uses specific shapes and lines with complex, symmetrical designs around or within ovoids, U and S forms. Ovoids are particularly important design that means Unity.
I mainly use alpaca and alpaca blend yarns because of the great properties these luxuriously soft fibers have: thermoregulating, three times softer than cashmere, more durable, ecologically and economically friendly. I also prefer blends that are non-superwashed, superwashed wool is treated with chlorine gas to remove the fiber’s scales & coated with petroleum based plastics. I also make pieces that are hypoallergenic that are stored separately in air tight containers.