Beading is something that although it has always been very interesting to me, has intimidated me deeply. I work in a school that has a population that is about 95% Indigenous and beading is a normal part of their life because their Kokums, Mothers, Aunties, friends bead, as do many of them.
Now although I have chosen to use beading for my learning project, this isn’t actually the first time that I am trying beading. Last year on a random snow day when I had like three kids in my classroom, we decided to break out the beading kits that we had gotten from Skills Canada and give it a try. Now I probably should have watched the video that I told the kids to watch, but I figured that I know how to sew and do embroidery, so how hard could it be?
My first try at beading
It can be very difficult actually.
My work as you can see, was not the greatest and although I would have loved to give it another shot again sometime, I just didn’t find myself having time to do it. This is where the learning project comes in. I would love to be able to help the students with problems with their beading, and to gain a better appreciation for the art of beading. I know already that there is the videos from Skills Canada and a bunch of other youtube and online sources that can help me in learning how to bead properly.
My goal for this learning project is that I would like to learn how to bead a pin so that I can bead my own poppy for Remembrance Day, and I also want to be able to know the basics of beading so that I can help the students in my GSA club this year bead their own pride pins. I am planning on using the Skills Canada videos as a starting point for my learning to get to know the basics. Also relying on some help from the students or other staff if I run into any major issues along the way. Then I would like to use sources such as BeadsbyCheyDesigns on Tiktok and Mona C on Youtube, as well as other online sources, to help me gain more confidence and build my skills.
Goals by December:
- Bead my own Poppy for Remembrance Day
- Learn the basics to be able to bead pride pins with GSA Students
Hi Briana!
This is a really creative idea, I like it!
Can’t wait to see your poppy 🙂
I loveeeeeee beading! It is soo hard but sooo pretty! I always get beaded lanyards for my school keys!
Hello Briana!
Beading seems like such a fun and creative learning project! I have always been interested in this form of art because of its connection to Indigenous culture and Canada. I can’t wait to see more, especially your poppy and other examples!
Really fun activity you have planned here. Another resource you could look into is the online Gabriel Dumont Institute. There is a Beginners Guide to Métis Floral Beadwork that may be of use to you! Have fun learning this art!
Thank you for sharing! I will take a look into this!!
Hi Briana! This is a great learning project! I hope you enjoy doing it! Great post.
Hey Briana, I think this is a great idea for completing your learning project. I like how you have chosen an idea that is a great cultural idea. I like that you are bringing some indigenous knowledge and teaching and learnings into your learning project. I feel like there is a talent being able to complete such a small intricate, tedious work. I dont feel myself I have the time, patience, or small enough hands for coordination to be able to complete something like this. I give you props, well done.