If you ever find yourself stopping to admire Indigenous beadwork, take a moment to appreciate that there is a deeper meaning to the intricate patterns and vibrant colours.

It also represents creativity, culture, tradition, and spirituality.

Those are facets Sandy Sault-Hartwick rediscovered after returning to her love of the craft.

She is an Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee artist from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, now based in Kelowna.

Sault-Hartwick began beading in 2018, after initially learning the art in elementary school on the reserve.

害羞草研究所淚 think I was homesick,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淢issing family and missing the culture, so I just picked up the needle and started again.害羞草研究所�

She finds inspiration in full moons and incorporating language teachings into her art, and is patient in seeking her style.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 an ever-evolving process. There is so much history of beading in the Indigenous world. I害羞草研究所檓 trying to incorporate things from my nation and culture into my beading.害羞草研究所�

Sault-Hartwick uses various skills and elements in her work.

害羞草研究所淥n my Annishanabe side, there is more beading and quills. I害羞草研究所檝e been drawn to that because I use a lot of porcupine quills in my jewelry.害羞草研究所�

Items from the land are also worked into pieces, including tanned hides, seeds, and flowers. Many of her ideas just come to her.

害羞草研究所淚 notice that during a full moon, I might be more creative, a new design might come to me.害羞草研究所�

Sault-Hartwick explained that beading is sacred and healing for her and many practitioners

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 time where I feel connected to my culture, connected to home and it害羞草研究所檚 peaceful to me.害羞草研究所�

She emphasized that the beading community is also a place of sharing and learning. She is connected with friends in the Dene First Nation (Northwest Territories), and the Metis Association in Kelowna.

害羞草研究所淭hey share their style and I share my style and our skills.害羞草研究所�

Sault-Hartwick is also an entrepreneur, creating Olive+Denton to showcase her art and honour her ancestors.

害羞草研究所淥live is my grandmother害羞草研究所檚 middle name and Denton is my grandfather害羞草研究所檚 middle name. I wanted to honour them and put that love into my work.害羞草研究所�

Because of the nature of her art and creativity, pieces can take a while to create.

害羞草研究所淩ight now I害羞草研究所檓 happy to be doing what I do and if it gets bigger that害羞草研究所檚 great. I害羞草研究所檓 doing it more as a part-time hobby, and it害羞草研究所檚 comforting to me.害羞草研究所�

This week she is attending the Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival (May 30-June 2) in Ontario displaying her work.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 excited because it害羞草研究所檚 in Toronto, my traditional territory. It害羞草研究所檚 so cool to see so many Indigenous artists together showing their crafts.害羞草研究所�

Sault-Hartwick害羞草研究所檚 designs can be viewed on the or Instagram, @oliveanddenton.

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