The basketry of Louisa Soap, a first-language Cherokee speaker, is renowned throughout the country. First learning the art from Cherokee National Treasure Thelma Forrest, Soap and her sister taught themselves to dye basketry with bloodroot, walnut, sumac, poke berry and wild onion skins. Along with her mastery of basketmaking, she learned to create beadwork and clay pottery.

She has received commissions from Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. Bud Adams, the former owner of the Tennessee Titans, acquired one of her works, “Cherokee Wedding Vase,” while attending the Cherokee National Holiday Art Show. Cherokee Nation Gift Shop has sold her artwork for more than 30 years.