Cameo: Betil Dagdelen
Cameo:
Betil Dagdelen
MAY 9, 2024

Welcome to 'Cameos' a series featuring a lovely cast of characters from around the globe and across creative disciplines. We’ll try to keep it curious, with questions that range from cheeky to inspiring. ⁠Since it's a Cameo, we’ll always ask our subjects to share something that is precious to them. As a jewelry designer, I think of all things as vessels for meaning. But true to life, precious does not always mean fancy. It's all in the energy and the story.


Meet Betil!
Betil Betil Betil! I met this rare and beautiful bird, with her first basset hound Fred, in BKLN, as we call it, back in the day. And she's been amazing me ever since with her tenacious spirit, unreal fun karaoke bday parties, stunning abiqiui studio and her PHENOMENAL weaving. We caught up in the lead up to her solo show at Cristina Grajales gallery (running now through August 23, 2024). She made some of these gorgeous works down the road from the famous Ghost ranch (of O'Keefe fame) and the rest in her Greenpoint studio. I'm honored to have the work and wildness of my dear friend Betil to share in this Cameo. Enjoy!- Anna
WHAT DO YOU VISUALIZE WHEN YOU THINK OF ETERNITY?
Patterns... I think of these infinitely complex, never ending patterns created by repeating a simple process over and over in an ongoing feedback loop.
WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT USE OF COLOR?
Living in Northern New Mexico, I am surrounded by all shades of Umber and Ochre. I’ve been working on some rammed earth pieces gathering these soft earthy pigments from nature.
A RITUAL FOR GROUNDING AND MENTAL ALIGNMENT?
I turned making a perfect cup of pour-over coffee in mornings into a self-care ritual, urging myself to be present every step of the way. That first sip of perfectly brewed coffee is the best way to greet the day with a clear and positive mindset.
ANYTHING IN YOUR CLOSET YOU STILL HAVE IN ROTATION FROM THE 90S?
Jordache high-waisted mom jeans.
IS THERE A SONG OR GENRE OF MUSIC THAT'S GETTING YOU UP AND AT AM OR HELPING YOU WIND DOWN?
I start my days with classical music, especially string quartet. Something about the violin, viola and cello sounds coming together.
IF YOUR HOUSE PLANTS COULD TALK, WHAT WOULD THEY HAVE SAID TO YOU TODAY?
“Please turn down the volume?”
WHAT SCENT IS TOPPING YOUR GOOD FEELS FRAGRANCE LIST?
I always layer different essential and fragrance oils. Lately, Debaser perfume by D.S. & Durga has been a good base.
I ASK ALL MY FRIENDS TO SHARE SOMETHING THAT IS PRECIOUS TO THEM. WHAT’S THE OBJECT? HOW DID THIS COME TO BE PRECIOUS TO YOU?
An ancient tapestry beater. A tool I use every day. It was made by great grandfather of a generational weaver family in Turkey and they gifted me the tool after a serendipitous encounter. It’s invaluable to me.


See her solo show at Cristina Grajales gallery in NYC running now through August 23, 2024.Photography credit to @linda.beecroft, @betildagdelen
MAY 9, 2024

Welcome to 'Cameos' a series featuring a lovely cast of characters from around the globe and across creative disciplines. We’ll try to keep it curious, with questions that range from cheeky to inspiring. ⁠Since it's a Cameo, we’ll always ask our subjects to share something that is precious to them. As a jewelry designer, I think of all things as vessels for meaning. But true to life, precious does not always mean fancy. It's all in the energy and the story.


Meet Betil!
Betil Betil Betil! I met this rare and beautiful bird, with her first basset hound Fred, in BKLN, as we call it, back in the day. And she's been amazing me ever since with her tenacious spirit, unreal fun karaoke bday parties, stunning abiqiui studio and her PHENOMENAL weaving. We caught up in the lead up to her solo show at Cristina Grajales gallery (running now through August 23, 2024). She made some of these gorgeous works down the road from the famous Ghost ranch (of O'Keefe fame) and the rest in her Greenpoint studio. I'm honored to have the work and wildness of my dear friend Betil to share in this Cameo. Enjoy!- Anna
WHAT DO YOU VISUALIZE WHEN YOU THINK OF ETERNITY?
Patterns... I think of these infinitely complex, never ending patterns created by repeating a simple process over and over in an ongoing feedback loop.
WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT USE OF COLOR?
Living in Northern New Mexico, I am surrounded by all shades of Umber and Ochre. I’ve been working on some rammed earth pieces gathering these soft earthy pigments from nature.
A RITUAL FOR GROUNDING AND MENTAL ALIGNMENT?
I turned making a perfect cup of pour-over coffee in mornings into a self-care ritual, urging myself to be present every step of the way. That first sip of perfectly brewed coffee is the best way to greet the day with a clear and positive mindset.
ANYTHING IN YOUR CLOSET YOU STILL HAVE IN ROTATION FROM THE 90S?
Jordache high-waisted mom jeans.
WHAT SCENT IS TOPPING YOUR GOOD FEELS FRAGRANCE LIST?
I always layer different essential and fragrance oils. Lately, Debaser perfume by D.S. & Durga has been a good base.
IS THERE A SONG OR GENRE OF MUSIC THAT'S GETTING YOU UP AND AT AM OR HELPING YOU WIND DOWN?
I start my days with classical music, especially string quartet. Something about the violin, viola and cello sounds coming together.
IF YOUR HOUSE PLANTS COULD TALK, WHAT WOULD THEY HAVE SAID TO YOU TODAY?
“Please turn down the volume?”
I ASK ALL MY FRIENDS TO SHARE SOMETHING THAT IS PRECIOUS TO THEM. WHAT’S THE OBJECT? HOW DID THIS COME TO BE PRECIOUS TO YOU?
An ancient tapestry beater. A tool I use every day. It was made by great grandfather of a generational weaver family in Turkey and they gifted me the tool after a serendipitous encounter. It’s invaluable to me.


See her solo show at Cristina Grajales gallery in NYC running now through August 23, 2024.Photography credit to @linda.beecroft, @betildagdelen