Description
Doug's Story about the Wolf WIllow/Silver Berry…
I had never worked with Wolf Willow/Silver Berries prior yet have been amazed with their stark beauty. To me, they are as timeless as the Metis. My first work with Wolf Willow/Silver Berries was after I read Laurie Barkwell’s article, I never realized the significance of them to the Metis. As one of the many Metis who are on the journey to reclaim my culture, I felt this was a contribution I needed to make.
Making the necklaces went really well and I felt I had created some nice pieces (my Mom who is 94 said they were nice so I could not disagree). I happened to see a pair of earrings utilizing the Wolf Willow so that was my next adventure. I really knew nothing about earrings but did lots of research and purchased a few components from a craft store. I am an eager learner and through lots of trial and error, started having success. I have many willing family members and friends who accepted pieces with the only condition being I needed their feedback. I utilized similar colour combinations as I had used in the necklaces and was pleased with their appearance. Like with the necklaces, I eventually gravitated toward the copper and turquoise bead combination.
I then saw some pictures of how copper had been incorporated into jewelry. My only experience was installing metal roofing and flashing so working with copper was somewhat similar yet is a very different metal. Additionally as a kid, I helped my Dad in his scrap iron business so I developed an appreciation of metals. The only copper I had was some old 3/8” tubing that I upcycled by cutting to length, heating and annealing, pounding flat and then cutting and finishing into a final shape. It is a good thing copper is recyclable as this has been a wonderful learning opportunity with a few failures. My most challenging shape yet has been creating a copper infinity. It is important for me to incorporate the infinity in as many pieces as possible because for me, it is a symbol of who I am as a proud Metis.
Additional information
Weight | .12 kg |
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Dimensions | 6 × 8.5 × .8 in |
Attribute | Butterfly back – Two-Wolf Willow blue-white Bead, Butterfly Back – One-Wolf Willow Blue-White Bead, Butterfly Back – One-Wolf Willow Pink-Silver Bead, Butterfly Back – Triangle copper Teal-Silver Bead, Clasp – Rectangle-Copper Blue-White Bead, Clasp – Rectangle-Copper, Clasp – Cross-Copper Blue-Yellow Bead, Hook – Large-Circle-Copper One-Wolf Willow Teal-Gold Bead, Hook – Small-Circle-Copper One-Wolf Willow Teal-Gold Bead, Hook – Cross Copper Teal-Gold Bead, Hook – Cross Copper, Silver Hook – Two-Wolf Willow Blue-Red Bead, Silver Hook – Two-Wolf Willow Pink-White Bead, Hook – Double-Circle-Copper One-Wolf Willow Teal-Gold Bead, Hook – Long-Copper One-Wolf Willow Teal Bead, Hook – Long-Triangle Copper Teal-Gold Bead, Hook – Narrow-Rectangle Copper One-Wolf Willow Blue-Red Bead, Hook – Wide-Rectangle Copper One-Wolf Willow Red-Blue Bead, Hook – Rectangle Copper One-Wolf Willow Purple-Blue Bead, Hook – Triangle Copper Blue-White Bead, Hook – Triangle Copper Teal-Gold Bead, Hook – Two-Copper Circle One-Wolf Willow Teal-Gold Bead |
About the Artist
Doug Pople
