Keri started working with leather and tanning hides at the age of nine. Over the years, she has developed her skills working with authentic materials using traditional techniques to create museum quality historical reproductions of the Native American Indian and the Fur Trade era.
For the Western Design Show, utilizing her talent with traditional materials and techniques, Keri has created a contemporary line of fashion and accessories. Inspired by American history and authenticity, Keri’s designs are original, stylish, and equally appropriate for private collection or to wear for an important occasion or casual evening out.
Professionally, Keri is a successful entrepreneur. She founded Teresis Media Management Inc. in 2003, Terescription in 2005, and Wind River Trading in 2010. She currently has three software patents filed in six countries. She and her husband Tom reside with their two dogs, Kuma and Kaya, in Irvine, California.
A great heirloom for your special little one or an elegant reproduction to decorate your home or cabin with. Traditionally given to newborns, this Lakota style baby bison robe is brain tanned and painted with earth pigments and hide glue. Baby bison robes are very rare. Only a few are available each year. These have died from natural causes and are tanned with the face, legs, and tail in tack preserving their historical significance and authenticity. Little boys typically had robes painted with the sun burst pattern shown in this picture. While little girl's robes were traditionally painted with a box and border design. Please contact me for availability.
Check out my blog at Keri DeWitt Designs and Wind River Trading Company Face Book for more information.
$4,500.00
A great heirloom for your special little one or an elegant reproduction to decorate your home or cabin with. Traditionally given to newborns, this Lakota style soft cradle cover is made from all authentic materials. Elk parflech and brain tanned deer make up the body of the cover. It is lined with reproduction Lewis & Clark trade cloth. Beads are mixture of antique and reproduction seed beads. Four quilled rosettes with quilled drops and deer toe tips decorate the sides. The quilled umbilical cord fetish and beaded baby moccasins are sold separately. Please allow 12 weeks for delivery.
Check out my blog at Keri DeWitt Designs and Wind River Trading Company Face Book for more information.
$3,750.00
The perfect heirloom gift for your little Buckaroo. "Tasunka Can", pronounced (Ta shunka chan) means "wooden horse" in Lakota. AKA, "Splinters" is hand carved from popular wood, sanded, and painted with non toxic acrylic paint. The saddle is a 1/3 size reproduction of an authentic Lakota pad saddle. The leather is brain tanned deer and is sew with real elk sinew and stuffed with horse hair. All the beadwork and quill work are also sewn with real sinew. The reins are rare and are made from hand twined and braided bison hair. Very few of these ropes are in existance or are reproduced today. The brass stirrups are covered in bison rawhide and sewn with real elk sinew. All the rigging is made from elk parfleche. The mane and tail are real horse hair.
Check out my blog at Keri DeWitt Designs and Wind River Trading Company Face Book for more information.
$7,500.00
Real Cowgirls need creative ways express themselves. This bracelet is made from 99.99% fine silver. There is are 3 dimensional boots, chaps and hat on the bracelet and the message reads, "Boots, chaps, and cowboy hats, nothing else matters."
While this silver will never tarnish, it is softer than sterling silver. Care should be take not to try and bend the bracelet any further.
Check out my blog at Keri DeWitt Designs and Wind River Trading Company Face Book for more information.
$250.00
These sterling silver chains are for the Cowgirl Expression Lockets. Please specify the type of chain, length, and whether or not you would like it to be oxidized to create a nice patina.
$65.00
Every Cowgirl needs a way to show off the things dear to her heart. This locket is made with 999.99 % fine silver. Hand stamped with traditional Navajo silver stamps. The locket has been oxidized to give it a nice aged patina.
The dimensions are approximately 1 inch by 1 inch. The back has several different designs available. The price is for the locket only. The leather necklace is made with leather and antique trade beads. The cross and bale seal are made from sterling silver. Optional sterling silver chains are available and sold separately.
Check out my blog at Keri DeWitt Designs and Wind River Trading Company Face Book for more information.
$225.00
MiMoks!
Protect those little tootsies as they crawl or walk with these all natural tanned leather shoes. No chemicals are used in either the tanning of the leather or coloring them, making them safe for both the environment and your babies precious feet. Available in three colors, natural, blueberry blue, and cranberry pink. These hand sewn moccasins have soft soles made from all natural tanned bison leather with deer suede uppers. Whether they are crawling, scooting, toddling, or walking, these tie on little mocs will be their favorite- and yours too.
Check out my blog at Keri DeWitt Designs and Wind River Trading Company Face Book for more information.
$65.00
This is a museum quality work of art. It debuted this year at the Western Design Conference in Jackson, WY where it won Honorable Mention in the "Art To Wear" category. It was also exhibited at Style West in Cody, WY and is featured at Contemporary Western Design, and Contemporary Maker's websites.
Patterned after the hunting coats of the Naskapi, Montagnais and Eastern Cree Indians who inhabited the Quebec and Ontario region of Canada, this coat is historically correct in its creation from the brain tanned hides to the 7500 hand sewn real elk sinew stitches that are 2mm apart. It has a beautiful modern cut to the supple leather that is painted in traditional earth pigments mixed with egg whites, something that took 600 hours to accomplish with toothpicks and sharpened sticks.
This coat is not a replica, but rather a modern interpretation using authentic methods and materials. Only 150 of the original coats remain in existence today in a handful of museums and private collections. They represent the peak of the artistic, religious and cultural tradition of these Indians between the early 1700's through the late 1800's.
This coat has sold to a collector. However if you would like something similar feel free to contact me for a custom order.
Check out my blog at Keri DeWitt Designs and Wind River Trading Company Face Book for more information.
$25,000.00
This purse combines both art with fashion. It was made using the traditional materials and methods of the Native American's but in the contemporary form and style of a modern purse. The clutch is made from over 200 feet of hand cut brain tanned Bison leather lace. The closure is a braided button through a leather loop. 8.5" x 5.5" x 2".
Brain tanned buffalo is only available today in very limited quantities. This is a one of a kind piece and is signed by the artist Keri DeWitt. It was part of her exhibit at the Western Design Conference in Jackson, WY 2010 that won Honorable Mention in the "Art to Wear" category.
Check out my blog atKeri DeWitt Designs andWind River Trading Company Facebook for more information.
$2,100.00
This reversible fur Bison brain tanned leather vest is tanned 100% natural using the same methods that the Native Americans used for thousands of years. Hand tanned Bison fur has its own rich character unlike any other furs. It is thick, yet soft and very durable. It sheds water and if it gets wet, just shake it out and let it dry. It will be just as soft and supple after it dries. In addition, Bison wool is warmer than any other wool.
Bison robes were used by the Native American's for clothing, bags, and horse gear. This vest is hand stitched with real elk sinew and edged with walnut dyed brain tanned deer leather. It closes on both sides with three large deer antler crown buttons.
Hand tanned buffalo is only available today in very limited quantities. This vest can be custom ordered for both men and women. For women, the vest has a waist making the vest more contemporary and flattering in style. The cut for men is more straight. Please provide your measurements for shoulder width, back length, chest, and waist. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
Each item may vary from what is pictured depending on the character of the leather.
Check out my blog at Keri DeWitt Designs and Wind River Trading Company Face Book for more information.
$3,500.00