Month: January 2024

Does anyone even remember what we did before we had the internet to use as our go-to?

Yeah, actually I do because the internet wasn’t generally used until I was almost a teenager!

How did we survive or accomplish anything before YouTube?!

We went to the library and searched the PAPER CARD CATALOGUE to find A BOOK with the information we were looking for!

Coming from someone who doesn’t access nearly as many tech gadgets/websites/apps as I maybe should, YouTube has been an amazing teacher in other subject areas, and when it comes to my Learning Project, it’s proving to be most helpful.

When I introduced myself as a beginner, the internet has confirmed and reminded me that I am most definitely a beginner. I’ve sewn buttons back onto clothing before or mended a small rip in a favourite pair of mittens, but when it comes to accomplishing something creative with string or thread AND beads? Next level difficult!

Lucky for me, there are experienced people out there who are also able to share their knowledge in manageable steps for people like me. Miss Chambers has posted a series of videos on her YouTube channel that are simple to follow, well laid-out and have a clear goal in mind that she sets out to accomplish during the video duration.

This project definitely seems like something that will challenge me, but won’t frustrate me to the point that I want to toss all of my supplies into the garbage and set it on fire. My plan for this week is to choose a pattern that I can follow easily, most like a simple floral as depicted int he video preview, and decide on the colours of beads I plan to use. Once I have a list of materials, I’m going to get everything ordered online. We have very few options in town that I’ll likely have to order everything online unless I time it right to grab my supplies the next time I’m in the city.

Watching a couple of short tutorials has definitely sparked my excitement for this project!

When Dr. Hildebrand first mentioned this course involved a project where we could choose to learn to do almost anything, Métis beading was one of the first ideas that came to mind.

After taking my first Indigenous Studies class, I was inspired to learn more about our First Nations and Métis cultures as I attempted to understand and appreciate the beauty that the people and their cultures have to offer us. Having learned more about Métis culture over the last few years and being exposed to images of the amazing beadwork of our Métis people, I know this is a skill that I would like to attempt to learn! I love colour and am a big fan of flowers, both of which seem to be a mainstay in Métis beadwork.

My daughter has suggested that I make her some earrings during this project, but I’m hoping to be able to complete a number of smaller projects throughout my Learning Project. I did a quick internet search and there looks to be some great online resources with video tutorials to aid in my progress. One of my coworkers, and someone I’m lucky enough to call a friend, completed some Métis beadwork projects through lockdown in 2020 and offered her help should I need it. Friends are great, aren’t they?!

As for my project outline, my first step is to finalize one project that I’d like to complete. Next would be to make a list of supplies I’ll need to complete the project and where I can purchase those supplies, whether that be locally or online. I plan to watch a number of video tutorials and hope to find some articles to read on the topic as well to guide me through this process. I plan to start with a simpler design and project and if it proves to be more manageable than I anticipated, I will challenge myself with a more intricate design. But don’t hold your breath on the intricacy piece!