It was a weekend of firsts for Hooper Bay artist Cimiun Joseph. 

His first time in Juneau, then Haines, then showing his hand-drawn pencil and ink cards and carved walrus ivory jewelry and offering them for sale in Three Northmen over the weekend. 

Cimuin Joseph’s carved walrus ivory earrings were on display at the Three Northmen meaders on Friday, September 27, 2024, in Haines, Alaska. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)

Joseph, who was in town visiting his young daughters, said Friday that his cards were selling quickly. 

The 39-year-old has been drawing since high school. He said he starts in pencil, then creates shadows in pen and finally goes over the pieces in colored pencil. The cards he brought to the Chilkat Valley had hearts, crosses, and botanical motifs.  

The latter was reflected in his carved jewelry as well, earrings in the shape of flowers. 

“They kind of reminded me of passion flowers, how they have petal shapes in any directions,” said Joseph who added that he’s never actually seen one in person. 

“I drew them from a book,” he said. 

Cimuin Joseph’s carved walrus ivory and rabbit fur earrings were on display at the Three Northmen meaders on Friday, September 27, 2024, in Haines, Alaska. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)

He makes each pair of earrings, and the creamy white rings he had on sale, by taking a dremel to walrus ivory – a skill he said was largely self-taught. 

Joseph said it took a while to travel from Hooper Bay to Haines. But he will most likely be back for a visit. 

“I went from the west coast to the east coast pretty much,” he said, with a grin. 

In particular, Joseph said he enjoyed the seaplane ride from Juneau and angling down in a valley between two mountains – and, the weather. 

“It was really cold yesterday in Hooper Bay,” he said. “[It’s] warm here.” 

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