Frequently Asked Questions
In case clarity is needed for some commonly asked questions.
Questions
Education is the way to understanding.
"Can I wear Indigenous beadwork even though I'm not Indigenous?"
Yes! Buying Indigenous made beadwork is a shining example of cultural appreciation. Wear your beaded pieces with pride and share who made it, this is another way to support us artists. If you love what we do, spread the word! We are so grateful for all types of support, even a social media comment or resharing our posts.
"Do you make these yourself?"
Yes! I make all my pieces with love and intention using traditional teachings as my guide. I'm a stay at home mom who works part-time while caring for my toddler son, so my beading time is limited to when he is sleeping. It makes this work that much more precious to me.
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I draw patterns and curate colour combination that make my spirit happy. Sometimes I may use a pattern by another artist who has given permission for the design to be used - I will always credit them for that.
"How long does it take?"
It varies depending on the size of the piece and the materials used. Because I typically only get 2-3 hours a day to create, a lot of pieces take multiple sessions and even weeks to finish.
"How do you price your work?"
I pay myself a living hourly wage for my city (Vancouver, BC, Canada). This includes time it takes designing and beading, plus the cost of materials used and any other overhead costs.
"Who are the Métis?"
"The Métis are a distinct Indigenous nation with a unique history, culture, and language, formed from the unions of First Nations and European peoples during the fur trade era. They are recognized as one of the three Aboriginal peoples in Canada." - GDI
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"The term “Métis” in s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 does not encompass all individuals with mixed Indian and European heritage; rather, it refers to distinctive peoples who, in addition to their mixed ancestry, developed their own customs, way of life, and recognizable group identity." - Alberta Métis
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"The Métis are heirs to a vibrant culture of decorative arts that emphasizes the brightly coloured floral motif in beadwork and embroidery. The Dakota and the Cree, in fact, referred to the Métis as the “Flower Beadwork People” because of the preponderance of flower designs in their beadwork and embroidery. Early 19th-century European and Euro-North American observers and travellers also made constant reference to the decorative beadwork on Métis clothing. Over time, floral beadwork has become one of the most distinctive Métis symbols." - Indigenous People's Atlas of Canada