Elizabeth Heule

Bio

Elizabeth Heule is a multidisciplinary artist and jewelry designer based in Kansas City, Missouri. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and raised between the cultural richness of the Southwest and the Midwest, Elizabeth draws deeply from her Indigenous heritage and her background in architecture. A graduate of Kansas State University’s architecture program, she spent years working as an architect and facilities manager before returning to her creative roots.

Through her brand, ORENDA: The Ever-Present Energy Within, Elizabeth channels her artistic vision into handcrafted jewelry made with glass beadwork, polymer clay, acrylics, and resin finishes. Her work is a vibrant fusion of ancestral traditions and contemporary artistry, honoring her Indigenous lineage while reflecting modern themes of identity, remembrance, and connection.

Each ORENDA piece—whether earrings, rings, anklets, or barrettes—is a tangible expression of personal energy and communal love. Elizabeth’s work also aims to raise awareness for social justice issues, particularly the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), offering a powerful voice through visual storytelling. She continues to honor her ancestors and inspire others to embrace the ever-present energy that connects us all.

Artist Statement

ORENDA represents the unseen, ever-present energy that flows through each of us—a force of creation, connection, and healing. Through this collection of handcrafted jewelry, I seek to give form to that spirit, weaving together elements of tradition, memory, and modern expression.

My pieces are more than accessories—they are reflections of ancestral knowledge, sacred landscapes, and stories that have long lived in silence. By using Indigenous beading techniques alongside contemporary materials like resin and polymer clay, I merge past and present into something wholly unique. The process is meditative, intuitive, and deeply personal.

ORENDA is also a vessel for advocacy. With every piece, I honor the memory of Indigenous women who have gone missing or been taken from us, and I bring attention to the ongoing injustices they face. My work invites others to not only witness, but to remember—and to care.

Above all, ORENDA is about love. Love for our histories, our communities, and the energy we each carry. I invite you to wear these creations as a celebration of your own ever-present energy, and as a reminder of the beautiful threads that bind us together.

Exhibitions