December 2020BICAS Staff Artist AMGAvailable on EtsyI am from Northern Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation. I have been making things since I was a little kid and my sisters got me into jewelry making in high school. When I first started making jewelry, it was to sell to tourists who visited our area. I really enjoyed making things that were slightly different from the stuff we made to sell and when I think that really contributed to my liking of using bike parts to make jewelry. I personally really like making earrings, they are dangly and eye catching. I’d say I look at stuff that intrigues me then I just start trying to add to it. It starts off with one eye catching piece and I just try to accent or compliment something that’s already so beautiful or interesting.Available on EtsyI began at BICAS as a customer. My love for making things with my hand translated well into working with my hands on a bike. I now work at BICAS and still love working on bikes because once you understand how it works, your hands can just do it themselves. Plus the feeling of accomplishment is immediate, which I like. Yoo’ disxosih by AMG.I donate to the art auction because I like to make jewelry and I wanna help the place I work. I think being able to use my creativity is a real plus side when helping a cause. I really like the auction pieces that mimic nature. The bike part animals and cactus always get me. I think it works into that love I have for paying tribute or complimenting things that are already so beautiful. I have no other place I sell or promote my work. They are only available at the BICAS Art Auction but if I ever do decide that, it will probably be how other indigenious artists do today. Instagram, USPS delivery and a payment app. Dzidze’ doo nizhoni yoo’ by AMGLook for AMG’s art work and handmade jewelry on the BICAS Etsy page and in the Staff Mini-Auction up on EBAY
For over 36 years, BICAS has been a place where anyone could go to gain access to bikes, bike parts, bike repair, mechanics education and art. We have built a beautiful and much needed community resource where all are welcome, children can thrive through bike education, and low-income individuals can quickly gain access to resources needed to maintain their employment, housing, healthcare and access essential community resources. We take our commitment to this community very seriously, but at this time we are in a financial crisis and need your help.
In 2025, BICAS was owed $106,000 through a government funded grant, but this money was not paid out and then spent by the city of Tucson, causing BICAS much financial uncertainty. In 2026, several ongoing funders have been unable to provide grants due to the decreasing amount of federal funding available and drastic changes to the nonprofit funding landscape. These combined have immensely impact our small organization and as a result BICAS is at risk of closing or pausing our operations.
This shift means that we are more reliant on financial donations, and money raised in our bike shop. We are urgently asking you to consider making a donation to our organization in order to preserve bicas and ensure we can remain a resource for years to come. Any support you can offer is deeply appreciated and needed.
With much gratitude and love,
The BICAS Collective
