Pearl moccasins by Julie Desrochers from Prairies Owl Beads!
It is a story of passion, family and identity that Gabrielle, one of the 4 founders of Prairies Owl Beads, will share with the participants of this Métis beading workshop.
Workshop content
This Métis style moccasin workshop includes all the materials needed to complete your own pair of handmade moccasins. These moccasins can be used as slippers in the winter or soft shoes outside during the summer. This workshop will give you the opportunity to learn a bit about the history of beadwork and its importance in Métis history and identity. Your guide for these 5 weeks is artisan Julie, co-founder of Prairie Owl Beads a local, Métis, bilingual, traditional beadwork business led by the 4 Desrochers sisters.
Please note: the workshop is in French.
Schedule :
Week 1 – Intro to Métis beading, draw the beading pattern, assemble and begin beading.
Week 2 – Continue beading and cut the leather.
Week 3 – Continue beading and cut the leather.
Week 4 – Sewing the moccasins.
Week 5 – Sewing the moccasins.
Materials included:
The kit is included in the price of the workshop and will be provided by the instructor.
A pearl moccasin kit is included:
- Wool (melton) and leather (buffalo hide)
- Glass beads size 10
- Nylon and Sinew thread
- Needles of beads and leather
- Bead mat
- Access to moccasin patterns
- Access to beading patterns (if needed)
*Fur not included
(for those who want to finish the ankle of their moccasins in fur, they are welcome to bring fur and we can help with cutting and sewing)
Workshop schedule
- 5 sessions of 2 hours per week
- Monday evenings from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Dates: January 9, 16, 23 & 30 & February 6, 2023
- Registration deadline: December 23, 2022
Location
Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre
Art Studio – Room 141
(Ground floor on the right after the art gallery)
For the first session, please arrive at the CCFM reception desk at 6:45 pm.
The teacher will pick you u
Number of students
10 students maximum
Level
Intermediate
Fee
200 per participant (+taxes)
(creative material kit included)
Prairie Owl Beads is a Métis-owned business operated by four sisters, Julie, Danielle, Gabrielle and Roxane Desrochers. Prairie Owl Beads is located in Winnipeg, on traditional Annishinabe and Cree lands, Treaty One territory and Red River Métis lands. Julie was the first to learn to bead, at the age of 13, and in the years that followed she taught her younger sisters the art of beading. All four sisters were already familiar with sewing, embroidery and finger weaving, and they made the natural transition to beading by immersing themselves in their heritage and culture. Traditionally, beadwork has been a very important part of the Métis culture and livelihood. As they worked on projects and became more familiar with the art form, they felt a strong connection to their Métis heritage. The sisters’ true passion for beadwork and its cultural significance led them to share their knowledge through a training program. The site The four sisters grew up as individual Métis artisans before deciding in the spring of 2020 to work together as partners and incorporate Prairie Owl Beads.
