NWT Arts

My mother-in-law, Rose Browning, was amazing at beading. She gave me my first pieces of material and taught me a few basic techniques, but I ended up getting frustrated and setting it aside. In 2016, I picked up the sewing materials she gave me and got started again. I was on maternity leave and wanted something to work on while the baby was sleeping most of the time. I now really love doing beadwork, specifically earrings. I’ve also made bracelets and necklaces, and have done headbands on felt and fabrics. I mainly taught myself to bead at home through online photos and videos.

My earrings with intricate designs are definitely inspired by nature. I like using colors related to blue, like teal or gunmetal. I use delica and seed beads, but when I make bracelets and necklace I will often weave them. My creative process will often start on a whim, like during a walk. In those moments, I normally try to jolt the ideas down, even if it’s on my hand with a pen I found in my pocket. When I have time, I will revisit those ideas, sit, look at them closely and decide what I want to do with them. That’s when I start designing what I want. I also love to make earrings based on cartoons that I enjoyed as a child. I hope they can bring back some childhood giddiness in others, just like it does for me.

What I love the most about creating art is that it makes me feel stress-free, calm and relaxed. I know others might feel frustrated when they work on artistic projects, but I find it’s how I release the daily stresses of being a single working mom. It helps me focus on what’s in front of me, like therapy. What I like the most is probably when I’m halfway through a project and it’s coming to life; there’s a turning point where I can tell it will look good when it’s finished.