Journalist Deidre R. Gantt has noted that Blount’s philosophy on crafting aligns with the Shaker proverb “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” Shaker beliefs about resourcefulness and self-sufficiency mirror Blount’s, and Shaker design influenced the form, style, and shape of this basket.
Glass beads provide a fitting medium for iridescent peacocks depicted in mirror image on this drawstring purse. The grey purse’s symmetry continues below the two birds where silver, black, and bronze beads form a floral motif framed by blue and grey-green leaves. Shaped like a cylindrical vase, the purse tapers into a beaded tassel at the bottom. Metallic colors and geometric shapes at the purse’s
As a member of the greater Washington, D.C. craft guild, The Basket Bunch, artist Ira Blount taught others and learned new basket-making techniques. He has observed that the shape of egg baskets is both attractive and practical: to protect eggs from cracking. In addition to basketry, Ira Blount mastered dozens of artisanal crafts. His love for crafting, learning, and community engagement would end
Two black arrows outlined in blue, red, yellow, and green at either end of this beaded strap point toward a central diamond design. A blue line splits the diamond into two triangles, while blue, red, and white beads further bisect the polygon into even smaller triangles. The motif is continued around the border, with stacked rectangular shapes adorning the top and bottom. This beadwork explores ho
A black symbol enclosed in a rectangular black border is the central focus of this orange beadwork piece. A single blue seed bead is hidden in the top right of the black border. Viewers are encouraged to consider whether the artist simply ran out of supplies, or if the colorful addition was an intentional choice.
A stylized bird perches on a branch in this tin punch crated by Ira Blount (1918-2020). Its head is turned toward its wing, recalling the "Distelfink,” or goldfinch, of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art. Flowers and leaves surround the bird and decorate the background. In addition to hearts in the lower right and upper left corners, a third heart is “hidden” in the bird’s tailfeathers.
Swirls of glass beads form a monochrome mosaic on this black clutch. In the front, a narrow flap folds over the semicircular clutch and closes with a metal snap. A hand grab permits the clutch to be held from the back. The glass beads follow a wave pattern on both front and back, including on the front flap, and are secured on a netting in a simple ladder stitch. The clutch’s sides and hand grab f
Artist Ira Blount creates a repeating pattern out of seed beads in this flat blue ladder necklace. White and light blue Greek key designs alternate with a white triangle and diamond pattern set against a dark blue background. Varying the length of the beaded fringe at the bottom creates a triangular shape, complemented by a blue and white chevron pattern.