Updated October 2009

Visit my winter project: Buffalo Calf Road Woman.

My most recent work

This Crow tribe medicine woman doll and tack set took me many hours of research and two solid months of handwork.
Every element in it was copied either directly or closely from museum examples of Crow tack and clothing from the 1890s. I think it's some of my best work.
Despite several attempts, I was unable to sell it, and have packed it away to await a better economic climate.

Championship at 2006 NAN

This Southern Cheyenne woman's Ceremonial costume made by me, owned by Candace Evans and worn by her RRH Stone QH Cool Luke, took Champion CM Indian Costume in a class of 20 at the 2006 North American Nationals (Judges included the legendary Susan Bensema-Young!). Congratulations to Candace and Luke, and many thanks to her for showing my work in this major national competition!

The link to the NAN winner's photo is here: NAN 2006 results.

And you can see more photos of this costume in my 2003-4 Webshots album.

Watch slideshows of all my Webshots albums--all my costumes from 2000-present!--here: RDS Photos.

I have been making model-scale Native American costumes since the summer of 2000.
In that time I have made over two dozen costumes in Trad, Classic, Little Bit, SM and even micro-mini scale. To my best knowledge, every one that has shown has placed first or second and many have been Champions.

I take great pride in my research, in my materials, and in my attention to scale. With few exceptions, my designs are based on beadwork patterns actually created by the Plains Indians in the period of their most extensive use (about 1820-1900).
I use real leather, sterling silver, gemstone beads, natural fur and feathers, and real herbs in my medicine bundles. In addition, I use antique size 18-20 and -22 glass beads, no longer made and available only from specialty dealers; and I use resin saddletrees and stirrups by MagikWorks Miniatures and Rio Rondo silver and pewter hardware, IMHO the best model-scale horse gear money can buy.
I feel the best way I can show respect for this gifted culture whose motifs I borrow is to approximate the work they themselves did as best I can.

So far I have done most of my work in a "Pan-Indian" style combining inspirations from numbers of the Plains Tribes, but as I develop my skill I hope to work in ever greater historical accuracy and precision. I am dedicated to learning more and refining my abilities to create tack you and I will be proud of.

Even more photos at 2003-2004 Work.
Here's one I really like--done in a Hopi Kachina motif.

In addition to Native American outfits I also enjoy making circus costumes. These are a great way to show horses in "non-halter-friendly" poses and to just have fun!

All handmade by Red Desert Saddlery, that is me, Paula O'Keefe.
Contact me: angelynx@spookhouse.net.

Native American graphics courtesy of Silverhawk's Creations.

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