“I have made all kinds of things in workshops – fancy shoes, snowshoes, knits, a fur hat.”
Debbie Dillon sells her beading and crafting through Instagram and at major shows across the country, but she cannot resist a good workshop to learn even more about what to do next.
“I’m still trying to learn a lot of things. I love taking workshops,” said Dillon, who is the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley’s artist of the month for May.
Workshops and even online tutorials were a big part of her journey after realizing the importance of these forms of art.
“I’m Inuvialuit. I’m also Gwich’in, Métis, Cree, so I’m a combination of everything. I think it’s important for me to connect with my culture,” Dillon said.
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“Growing up, I didn’t learn how to do those things. I should have learned from my grandma, but I didn’t really spend time with my grandma to learn. So as I’m older, I’m wanting to learn more about traditional arts, and that’s the reason that I take all these workshops and learn from others.”
Dillon – who is originally from Inuvik and now lives in Fort Smith – runs some workshops herself, teaching others the likes of flat stitch beading and beaded pins and earrings.
Her work has appeared at events like Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, the Great Northern Arts Festival and an Inuit symposium in Montreal.
“I don’t try to make a lot of money off of it. I do it because I really enjoy it. I want to share my designs with people and I love that people appreciate them,” she said.
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“When I see somebody wearing my earrings – and they’re like, ‘I got them from this really amazing artist’ – it really makes me happy to see other people appreciating my art.”
One of the biggest lessons Dillon has learned is that for her, beading requires “a clear mindset.”
“You have to think of happy thoughts and put a lot of love into it,” she said.
“I find it really relaxing. It’s really therapeutic. I just feel good when I’m doing beading. What you put into it shows in your work.”
The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley have relaunched and expanded the Beading Series. The Indigenous Artists Showcase features an artist every other month. An artist will be selected based on the theme for that month (such as jewellery, clothing or accessories).
Artists who submit an image of their work will receive $25. The selected artist will receive $250.
Check out the boards’ Facebook page for information on when and how to submit your work.
