Jacqueline Rickard (Walker River Paiute Tribe) began to create baskets during the summer of 2004 with her teacher and first cousin, Larena Burns, who reached the age of 99 before passing.

“Lorena inspired me, as I learned the craft and that of our grandmother who passed in 1945. Both women left a legacy of baskets. Elaine Smokey of Schurz, Nevada, taught me how to gather, prepare and make willow baskets. The bead work is a result of my efforts to learn by seeing and studying baskets from the past.”

Rickard graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1988 with a fine arts degree and teaching credentials.  She taught in public schools until 2007 when she left California and decided to concentrate her time on baskets, after nineteen years of teaching. 

In 2005, after learning to weave pine needle baskets,  she found herself drawn to the art of traditional Paiute basket beading. “As a child, I remember playing with the beaded willow baskets that my parents had received as wedding gifts in 1947.” To bead a basket,  she did not know where to begin, so she started looking and watching other bead workers. Mostly though jumping in with both hands and experimenting on pine needle baskets. Through trial and error, she began to cover baskets with beads. Surprisingly to her, the baskets began to sell as she attended different basket gatherings. She joined the Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association in 2008, and has been a part of the annual gatherings where she teaches pine needle basket weaving and some willow.

In 2010,  she visited Elaine Smokey who gave her lessons over several days. She cherishes the information that Elaine imparted because, “it goes to the core of my being, and connects me to my Native roots.”

“Learning to work with beaded baskets is like coming home for me. I enjoy the process of making a basket, choosing the colors, and creating patterns to cover the basket. A bead found near the top of each basket is my signature. Sometimes, it is hard to find the bead, but it is there.”

“Through the years since 2004, I have continued to hone my craft; I have created many baskets of pine needles and willow. Each basket bears my energy, and hopefully good vibes for all who purchase them. I have truly enjoyed working through each challenge that anew basket requires. Though they are not perfect, the baskets are made of natural love and joy.”