Kelly’s piece, “Gideon”—a name rooted in the Hebrew meaning mighty warrior—embodies both strength and spiritual connection. Built upon a set of vintage steer horns once rescued by her father at a garage sale, the work bridges generations and stories. Kelly stripped away the old coverings and transformed the mount with layers of vintage Spanish lace, a hand-carved cabochon, shimmering charms, and Czech glass seed beads.
During a recent visit to Seattle, where her son lives, she discovered a remarkable collection of mixed gold and black beads from the 1970s. Spiritually drawn to their energy and the time spent with her son, she wove them into the piece’s surface. These beads form the luminous backdrop of the front-facing design—linking past, present, and the enduring bond between mother and son.