Makers MARKET

 Larissa and Clayton Yamelst are the artists behind Yamelst Designs, a creative partnership that blends traditional Indigenous materials with contemporary design. Larissa hails from the Quw’utsun Tribes in Duncan, while Clayton is from the Nlaka’pamux Nation in Spence’s Bridge. Together, they create stunning pieces that feature materials such as Dentalium Shell, Abalone Shell, Conch Shell, Mother of Pearl Shell, Porcupine Quill, Deer Hide, and Semi-Precious Gemstones.

Yamelst Designs was founded in September 2022, fueled by Larissa and Clayton’s shared passion for honoring their cultural heritage through art. Their creations celebrate the beauty of Indigenous craftsmanship, combining traditional elements with modern aesthetics to create unique, wearable pieces that tell stories of culture, identity, and connection to the land. As artists, Larissa and Clayton are dedicated to preserving their cultural practices while sharing their artistry with the world.

     Socials:  https://yamelst-designs.square.site/s/shop 

              IG: @Yamelst.Designs

             FB:  Yamelst.Designs

Sade M. Auger is a Northern Alberta Cree First Nations artist, spiritual healer, counselor, and jewelry designer. Her Traditional Indian name, “Pretty Voice Hawk Lace Woman,” was given to her in ceremony by her late Kookum (Grandmother), Rose Auger, and is an integral part of her identity. Sade’s jewelry journey began in 2009, three years after the passing of her Kookum, and the same year she completed her training as a Reiki Master.

Sade combines her knowledge of healing and energy arts into her jewelry-making, blending creativity with spiritual connection. For Sade, creating jewelry is not only an artistic expression but a way to honor her grandmother, ancestors, the land, and her spirit. She uses natural gemstones and elements, valued for their spiritual, mental, and emotional healing properties, to promote beauty, wellness, and spirituality in her designs. Each piece is a reflection of her dedication to healing and cultural connection.

Socials: www.hawklace.com

         IG: @hawklace

        FB: Hawk Lace

Wagella Hunt is a proud member of the Heiltsuk Nation from Bella Bella, BC, and Sapotaweyak Cree Nation from Manitoba (Treaty 4). She is the creative force behind Bella Cree Beads. Growing up in the East Vancouver Urban Indigenous community, Wagella learned beadwork from her mother, crafting items to sell at powwows and canoe gatherings to earn money for summer spending. She rediscovered beadwork during the pandemic as a way to soothe her mind after working in the Downtown Eastside, where she strives to Indigenize harm reduction and create systems change to better support Indigenous communities.

Outside of her advocacy work, Wagella is deeply involved in cultural ceremony, dancing, and learning the Heiltsuk language. Her beadwork reflects her connection to both traditional symbolism and contemporary imagery, with a special focus on creating heirloom hats that can be passed down through generations. Each of her pieces is a unique, wearable work of art that tells the story of the wearer.

      Socials: 

              IG: bellacreebeads 

              FB: Bella cree beads

Culture Shock, winner of the 2022 BC Indigenous Achievement Award, is owned by 'Namgis sisters Andrea and Donna Cranmer, both accomplished artists and entrepreneurs. Andrea is the creator of "Elements of Style," where she combines traditional Northwest Coast elements with modern fashion by appliqueing them onto clothing and designing jewelry. Her work blends cultural heritage with contemporary design, creating unique, wearable art.

Donna, a skilled traditional cedar bark weaver, designs jewelry and collaborates with silver and copper smiths to enhance her creations, adding a touch of "bakwam" (First Nations) bling to her pieces. Together, the Cranmer sisters honor their Indigenous roots while pushing the boundaries of contemporary Indigenous art. Through Culture Shock, Andrea and Donna are dedicated to showcasing their cultural traditions and craftsmanship, while fostering creativity, collaboration, and innovation in their community and beyond. Their work is a vibrant reflection of their heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.

     Socials: www.cultureshocklife.com

                IG: @cultureshockgallery 

               FB: cultureshocklife

Cedar Roots Collective is an Indigenous-led business focused on supporting, celebrating, and amplifying Indigenous artists through high-quality apparel, art, jewelry, and handmade goods. Each piece reflects a deep connection to ancestral traditions while embracing contemporary creativity and advocating for justice and sovereignty. At the core of Cedar Roots Collective are principles of choice, consent, and reciprocity. The artists receive industry-leading royalties, ensuring they are recognized and fairly compensated for their work, with all artists retaining ownership of their creations.

Founded in 2024 by Phil Gray (Ts’msyen/Cree) and Hayf Abichahine (Palestinian/Lebanese), the collective's roots began with Phil’s creation of “Battikh,” a powerful design symbolizing Indigenous solidarity with Palestine and raising awareness of the ongoing genocide there. “Battikh,” meaning watermelon in Arabic, embodies the collective’s mission to unite Indigenous communities worldwide. A portion of all sales supports Indigenous organizations, furthering Cedar Roots Collective’s commitment to cultural advocacy and solidarity.

        Socials:  www.cedarrootscollective.ca

                 IG: @cedar.roots.collective

 Bio: Samantha is the owner and operator of Shining Bear Designs, an Indigenous-owned apparel company based in Coquitlam, the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nation. An Anishinaabe originally from Northern Ontario, Samantha has a background in business and graphic design. Her journey led her back to her roots and love for creating, finding purpose in inspiring others through her designs.

After years of managing coffee shops and running a cleaning business, she discovered her true calling as the creator of "Wearable Teachings." Shining Bear Designs, now in operation for over three years, is carving out its place in the Canadian apparel industry. Samantha uses her designs to inspire and shed light on Anishinaabe culture, using the "Seven Sacred Laws" to share teachings of love, respect, and unity. She believes in the power of self-love and healing, hoping to inspire others to embrace their own journeys toward cultural restoration and wellness.

             Socials: www.Shiningbeardesigns.com

                    IG: @Shiningbeardesigns

                    FB: Shiningbeardesigns

House of Win-chee is a clothing company led by Nuu-chah-nulth woman Denise Williams. The brand specializes in handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces, offering both women’s and men’s clothing, including daywear, evening wear, and accessories. Each item is carefully created in the studio, ensuring that no pieces are industrially manufactured, allowing for unique designs that reflect both traditional Indigenous craftsmanship and contemporary style. House of Win-chee is committed to creating high-quality, bespoke garments that honor culture while providing modern, wearable art. Through her work, Denise aims to empower wearers and celebrate Indigenous creativity.

Kwiis Hamilton is a Nuuchahnulth artist from Hupacasath and Sto:lo

from L’equamel. He began glassmaking at 15 under the mentorship of Matt Eskuche, a world-renowned glass artist, and later studied scientific glass techniques with Mike Souza of Princeton University, mastering advanced methods of glass manipulation.

In 2019, Kwiis transitioned to Northwest Coast jewelry arts, studying under Shawn Edenshaw and earning a certificate in jewelry arts and design. His training includes advanced hollow-form fabrication, engraving, design, and gem setting. Kwiis has also studied design and engraving under Morgan Asoyuf and Richard Adkins, further honing his skills in traditional and contemporary techniques.

With a foundation in storytelling through creation, Kwiis’ work is deeply influenced by his Nuuchahnulth and Sto:lo

heritage, incorporating elements of his cultural traditions into his designs and artistic practices.

Socials:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kwiis.hamilton/?hl=en