Northern Creations: A Northwest Territories Makers showcase
Shop unique and exciting products made by artists from the Northwest Territories this summer at our Gastown, Kitsilano and North Vancouver locations!
Makers is proud to collaborate with NWT Arts to bring the creativity of the Northwest Territories to our Kitsilano, Gastown, and North Vancouver locations this summer!
From May 1 to August 31, we’ll be featuring 12 incredible artists, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, whose work reflects the rich culture and spirit of the North.
The NWT Arts Program is a government-led initiative that promotes authentic northern artwork, including traditional fine crafts, contemporary art, and media arts. Look for the NWT Arts entry shelf when shopping to ensure your piece is handmade by an NWT Arts artist and supports their vibrant creative community.
Check out our profiles on some of the NWT Arts x Makers collab artists below to see the variety of amazing pieces you can shop at our stores come May 1st!
Meet Candace Bristow, the artisan behind Nauttiaq Apparel
“I'm a Copperinuk artist from the Kitikmeot Region but currently in the North Slave Region of Northwest Territories.”
“I started off by creating a matching mukluk set for my daughter and I. I enjoyed creating handmade indigenous items, so I researched tutorials and learned through trial and error. Within a year of sewing, I started reaching out to my mother-in-law and friend for tips and advice. Creating handmade items is me trying to reconnect to my Inuit culture, one I was not raised being taught due to the foster care system.”
“My daughter is my inspiration, making her (and now her brother) handmade items makes me proud. Sharing my handmade items with them and customers makes me proud to share and show my Inuit culture.”
“I mainly work with sealskin, one of the main animals used not only to feed our people, but to clothe and help our people survive. I also work with beaver fur and animal hides. One important technique to get the most out of the furs and hides is to stretch the materials. Apparel can take me 1 to 2 weeks to complete. Jewelry is much quicker to make, so I can make 2-3 pairs in roughly 5 hours.”
Meet Jessi Johnson, the artisan behind Northern Beaded Creations
“I am a Plains Cree Metis who was born and raised in the NWT.”
I am a busy mom of two with a full-time job, full-time university studies, while also finding time to craft and create!
My mother-in-law sparked my passion for traditional arts and it only grew from there. While I have practiced traditional arts for a long while, I did not start producing to sell until 2017 as a way to share my love for beadwork with others, while also providing a therapeutic outlet to manage the stresses that come from full-time work, full-time university studies, and being a parent. For me, my business is not just about creating beautiful pieces but also connecting with my heritage, expressing my creativity, and supporting my family. It has been a meaningful endeavor that combines art, tradition, and personal growth. Recently, in the past year, it branched into in-person markets outside of the NWT. My first being the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair where several of my pieces were selected for curated collections, as well as being selected as a breakout artist, getting my booth featured on a tour hosted by the Outdoor Art Fair. This reaffirmed that I need to pursue success beyond the NWT border.
“My designs often reflect the natural world using colours and patterns that resonate with me. Whether I am out watching a movie or on a traveling venture, there is always an 'ah-ha!' moment when witnessing a shape, colour, or pattern that sends my brain down a rabbit hole of possibilities to incorporate into my artwork. I am also working on learning the Cree language, so I will incorporate syllabics into my creation to not only help me in my own learning but helps preserve and teach others parts of the cree language“.
“I use several techniques, including brick or peyote stitch, flat stitch, tufting, and quillwork. Brick and Peyote is a bead weaving technique that I use to create intricate patterns and designs; the stud earrings being featured at my makers shelf are an example of this technique. I use flatstitch techniques when creating various earrings, brooches, necklaces, and bracelets. It involves stitching beads onto a backing material, typically hide or pellon, to create patterns. When tufting, I stitch and trim bundles of caribou hair that is either in its natural or dyed colours and stitched to hide. This technique requires A LOT of patience, as it is very unforgiving in that if you cut too much hair off, you can't reattach it. This technique is seen in my tufted caribou drops that are being featured at my Markers shelf. Lastly, quillwork using porcupine quills to create designs. In my work I also practice applique, where quills are sewn onto hide to create a more raised design. I stitch where I flatten the quills and use it to create outlines or borders, as well as "needling" which is a term used when you are simply stringing the quill and treating it like you would a bead. This technique is seen in my quilled feathers that are featured at my Makers shelf. Depending on the technique, it can be quite quick to produce, within an hour, or more complicated techniques that require days to complete.”