EXPO I

Desiree Belone is a Ponca, Japanese and Dine' artist, and a creator of jewelry and leatherwork. Belone is third generation to Boyle Heights, CA and raised east of the river in Boyle Heights, and East LA. With strong connections to her family and participating in tribal gatherings and with her maternal Japanese grandfather who resided in Gardena, CA. She currently resides in East LA with her son. Her early teachers of regalia making were instilled in her by her family. In the early 2000's regalia making and dancing and participating in inter-tribal gatherings were mentored by the late Cheyenne elder, Toni Hawk and her daughter the late, Antoinette Hawk.

Belone is a member of the Los Angeles County Bee Keeper Association dedicated to educating the community on the vital role honey bees and their correlation to Mother Earth. Her daily practice includes yoga, holistic remedies, food as medicine, yet she enjoys Thai food, and supporting the local taco vendors. She has maintained her career as a nurse, makeup artist,

story teller, and jewelry/leatherwork designer creating pro-bono, commissioned and collaborative works. Belone’s work focuses on concepts of indigenous medicine and wearable art. She incorporates the mindset of "good medicine", and uses shells, crystals, and fur in her pieces.

Belone has worked with multiple artisans and tv/film projects, including B. Yellowtail, Urban Native Era, Chumash Resort and Casino, Sahar Khadjenoury, Rachel House, Wabanoonkwe Irick, John Blake’s Wigs and Facial Hair, Guess, Toyota, and America’s Next Top Model. She can be found as a vendor at local marketplaces, notably the United American Indian Involvement's, "Native Community Marketplace", hosted once a month in Los Angeles, CA and as a vendor at Native American/First Nations gatherings within United States and Canada.

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