Julie Perkins’ (Cherokee) passion for textile art grew from watching her family sew as a child. Her love for beadwork took hold at age 12 when she noticed a friend’s mother doing loom work, decided to create her own and became hooked. Perkins’ affinity for researching different types and styles of beadwork paid off her senior year when she was introduced to beading pictures. Later, while working at the Cherokee National History Museum, she began to incorporate weaving ribbons into some of her projects. She now weaves traditional basket patterns in ribbon on skirts, shirts and bags that are distinctly Cherokee.