Our recent beading night brought together 44 people for a sold-out, feel-good Friday evening. With a table full of colourful beads there were endless options for creating creative jewelry.

The atmosphere quickly became lively, with people chatting, laughing, and comparing designs as they worked on their jewellery. We added a light touch with a few beading facts displayed around the room, highlighting how beadwork is used in different cultures worldwide. They were there for anyone interested, without taking away from the relaxed, social feel of the night.

Some of these included how Indigenous communities in North America use beadwork as a way of telling stories and preserving identity. For example, projects like Every One by Cannupa Hanska Luger use handmade beads to represent lives affected by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis.

We also touched on beadwork traditions in South Africa, where women’s collectives like the artists of Ubuhle have used beading to create income and independence. The Cree-Métis women, known as the flower beadwork people, historically combined cultural design with practical ways to support their families.

Together, these small insights added an extra layer of meaning for those who stopped to read them.

By the end, everyone left with something they’d made and hopefully a shared sense of having spent the evening well!

By
Sarah Calley (she/her)
Vice President, NCWNZ Wellington Branch