Growing up, Adrienne Fleek spent time with her great aunt Maria Ackerman, a Tlingit leader, beader, weaver and author, and says she was always touched by her presence and calmness.
“When we would visit with her and she was beading, she always seemed to be in a really good space, and I was attracted to that type of spirit and presence in our really hectic western lifestyle,” Fleek said. “She was always a banner of a way to be.”
Fleek began attending embroidery classes at Alaska Native Medical Center, which she took as a way to relax and do something creative. That’s when she started her business, L’ook Beadwork, where she melds traditional forms of beading with what she loves and is passionate about: the environment, politics, LGBTQ+ issues, pop culture, Halloween, Valentine’s Day (her favorite holidays) and more.
From shells at the beach to fish teeth she gathered at the river, Fleek says she primarily works with materials she finds, with an occasional barter with friends.
“I have more projects in my mind, and also I wake up at night thinking about things I want to do than I have time to do,” she said.
This spring, Fleek co-taught a beading class in southeast Alaska with her daughter, a high school freshman. She hopes that she can teach more classes in the future and share her love of beading with other artists.
“Finding opportunities where we get to do those things together is also really rewarding,” Fleek said. “Seeing the kids that are practicing their traditional artwork and getting tips on how to do things, or doing a different style of stitch, that’s something that really warmed my heart.”
L’ook Beadwork is available for purchase online; Fleek will be at the Anchorage Summer Night Market in town square on June 27, and is excited to be tabling again and talking to folks face to face.
“People will come by my table at AFN and just laugh out loud,” Fleek said. “There will be some earrings that say, ‘Fuck off,’ or ‘Bitch, don’t,’ at the same table as having really pretty abalone earrings. It’s really funny seeing everybody walk by and see my beaded egg earrings with forks, it brings a lot of joy back to me to hear people happy and see my humor.”
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
