By Hayley Roulstone 

Julie Landry is a mother and beader, living in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. Rise Principal and Founder, Annie Korver, was referred to Julie by a mutual friend, Desiree Norwegian, and late last year, Annie gifted our team members with moosehide pins from Julie (mine is pictured above). I had the wonderful opportunity to share time with Julie and learn about her entrepreneurial journey that led to her business success with Julie’s Creations. We talked about where she gets her inspiration from and the experiences that shape her creative process. 

Hayley: Can you share a little bit about yourself and the land that raised you? 

Julie: I am from the Northwest Territories, Fort Simpson. I am a Dene artist and I learned to bead young. As a young mother, I would bead with the kids and meet other young beaders, which brought me closer to my culture and my craft.  At first, I would give away my art for free, even though my other sisters were selling their stuff. Until one day, my auntie offered to buy a purse I made for $200 and I was like ‘Wow! you want to pay for this?’ From there, I started making earrings to sell. One day, a lady reached out from Toronto and requested the earrings to be pins, and I made and sold over 100 of them, and that’s when my business really became established. 

Hayley: Can you share the why behind Julie’s Creations? 

Julie: I never thought I would turn my beading into a business. When I was very young, I attended the craft fair and went home with $500. That’s what really inspired me because at the time, my kids were very young, and I knew this money would help them. Fruits and vegetables are so expensive here in the North, and it was helpful because my husband was attending school at the time.” 

Hayley: Can you share a little bit more about the land that raised you and how that has affected your work? 

Julie: Where I grew up, everyone around here carries their traditional knowledge with them. There are a lot of young ladies beading here. I started beading with my daughter and now she’s a young adult and helps bead for Julie’s Creations. We are travelling to Toronto in February to a market to sell our jewelry together. Overall, I only use moosehide with all my work, pins, earrings, everything. I don’t hunt the moose myself, but I buy them locally. 

Hayley: Where do you find inspiration? 

Julie: Beading is something I really enjoy; it is something other than being a mother that I enjoy. It is calming and gives me focus on things. Recently, I was hospitalized, and I couldn’t bead. When I recovered and finally had the strength to pick up my beadwork, I can’t describe it, it is almost like meditation, and when I am doing my beading, no one bothers me unless it is very important. When I am going through a lot of things, the beading keeps me calm.  

Hayley: What advice do you have for youth interested in taking a similar career path? 

Julie: I would say do it, go with the process, let the process take course. My daughter will be going to college soon and she wants to make her own beading business. She does it because it is relaxing for her too. I say, ‘Bead it out!’. Give it all you got, and don’t let anyone stop you. You just have to find your first market and set up and sit there. People will come and have a small conversation with you. At first, you’re nervous but then you enjoy it. I helped set up my daughter’s table, and then I left her. When I got back, she said, “Mom, this is okay. I got this!” If you get the chance [to sell at a market], do it! It gives you the opportunity to meet other artists too. My daughter and I were featured in a news article in the territory about getting accepted to showcase her art in Toronto.  

Hayley: Who is your biggest influence? 

Julie: “y family, stepmother … and family. They ask me questions and encourage me to support my family when it comes to beadwork. 

Hayley: Where can folks buy your creations or connect with you? 

Julie: You can find Julie’s Creations on Facebook and Instagram (@julie.l.creations)