DIY Palentine's BFF Pins with Soft But Sturdy Beadwork
Learn how to make your own BFF Pin Set with Soft But Sturdy Beadwork in this 4-hour hands-on Beadwork 101 workshop at The Grove!
Date and time
Location
18 Louisa St
18 Louisa Street Unit 280 Ottawa, ON K1R 6Y6 CanadaRefund Policy
Agenda
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Intros/Set Up
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Instructions/Demo
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Unstructured Hands-On Learning
8:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Wrapping Up
About this event
Longtime Soft But Sturdy followers will remember those super cute puff heart earrings I used to make! Now it's your turn--but we're gonna make a matching pin set for you and your bestie, your lover, your situationshipper, or anything in between!
Think 90s BFF necklaces but for your lapel.
This workshop is perfect for anyone who wants to practice different styles of beaded borders (you'll hear most of us call that edging :P). You'll be able to choose from a variety of leather, vegan "leather", fabric colours, and beads to make your favourite person the cutest pin in the history of pins!
All materials will be provided! That said, if you happen to have the perfect piece of ribbon or lace or bead or something that will make your pin extra "you," by all means!
This mask-mandatory 4-hour workshop is open to all folks of all genders (ages 16+ due to small parts and sharp needles). You do not have to be Indigenous to take part. This workshop is Beginner-Friendly. Experienced beaders will learn new tips, tricks, and methods. To access Pay What You Can pricing ($0-$65), please read below.
Date: Thursday, January 23rd 2025
Time: 5:00PM - 9:00PM
Location: The Grove Studio (18 Louisa St. Unit 208, Ottawa, ON)
KN95 Masks Mandatory
The workshop includes:
- A brief introduction to beadwork as an Indigenous art form. This will include a discussion about cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation.
- 4 hours of guided hands-on experience
- All necessary materials to make 2 pins. (optional design templates, quality seed beads, pin parts, beading mat, needles, and thread).
- Oral & Written Instructions
Pay What You Can (PWYC) Pricing Options
To make our workshops accessible to everyone, we offer a variety of ticket options through our Pay What You Can (PWYC) pricing. Here's how you can select the option that best fits your situation:
- Claim a Sponsored Ticket: Select this option for a $0 ticket if you cannot afford the standard $25 ticket. This is made possible through funding from community members and the workshop host, ensuring that no one is excluded due to financial constraints.
- Buy My Own Ticket - Discount Code PAY25: Use this code for a reduced ticket price of $25. This option is intended for individuals who are low-income, have no savings, minimal expendable income, and would not be able to attend otherwise.
- Buy My Own Ticket - Discount Code PAY45: Use this code to purchase a ticket at $45. This price point is designed for those who are low to mid-income, may have some savings or financial support from family, and a bit of expendable income each month.
- Buy My Own Ticket at Full Price ($65): Choose this for a full-priced ticket if you are mid- to high-income, stably employed, with a savings account and financial safety net, and can afford larger purchases and vacations with ease.
- Sponsor Someone’s Ticket: By purchasing a ticket at $65 without a discount code under this option, you contribute directly to our sponsored ticket fund. This allows individuals facing financial barriers to attend our workshops, fostering inclusivity and community support.
Select the ticket that aligns with your financial situation using the appropriate selection and discount code. Your participation and support help make our workshops more accessible and inclusive.
ACCESSIBILITY
Address & Access: 18 Louisa Street Unit 280 is located on the 2nd floor, accessible via elevator. The outer building doors are automatic, but the studio door is manual. Dial 2800 or select “The Grove” to gain entry—introduce yourself and your visit purpose (e.g., beading workshop).
Entry Hours & Procedures: The studio door remains open for the first hour; afterwards, please knock to gain entry as other units do not require masks.
Facilities: The studio features hardwood floors, 800+ sq ft of space, 11 ft ceilings, two windows, and two air filters. Free KN95 masks are available. The (gendered) bathrooms are shared with the same floor. Please use the one that best suits you.
Seating Options:
- White folding chairs (max 225 lbs/102 kg)
- Blue/Black stacking chairs (max 660 lbs/299.3 kg)
- Brown couch (max 700 lbs/317.5 kg)
- Rustic brown stools (max 264.5 lbs/120 kg)
Frequently asked questions
We want this workshop to be accessible to everyone no matter their financial circumstances. You can choose what you pay: $0, $25, $45, or $65. There are 5 spots reserved for sponsored tickets ($0) and the rest are open. You can also use the discount code PAY25 or PAY45 depending! No Qs asked! <3
You will learn how to design and construct pins using leather/vegan leather/felt/etc and seed beads. The beadwork technique we will learn is many different kinds of edging (Everything from super simple as pictured, to more unique or elaborate patterns! For example, there's one that looks like lace)!
This workshop is open to everyone over the age of 16 (due to sharp needles and small parts). By everyone, I mean that this workshop is open to anyone of any gender, Indigenous or not, any age, any experience level (even zero experience)!
I'll be providing all the materials you need! You will also leave with a little beading kit to get you started. (PS: If you're feeling like adding some personal touches, feel free to bring any materials that speak to you or represent your relationship to your pin recipient).
4 hours, 5-9pm. The first 30 min will be intros and getting everyone situated. I will provide instructions and hands-on help as needed throughout. If you're not able to stay the whole time, I totally understand! I just want to make sure we can finish at least one earring so we go over all the steps.
The workshop is at The Grove Studio which is located on unceded, unsurrendered Algonquin land in what is currently known as Chinatown South (Ottawa, ON) The street address is 18 Louisa St. Unit 208.
You can purchase tickets exclusively through Eventbrite. Remember to enter any relevant codes at checkout. To use a gift card, enter the gift card code into the discount code field. Gift cards are only valid on the $65 ticket option. Tickets are on sale until 12PM on the day of the workshop.
Should the event be canceled, the host will notify ticket holders by email and offer the choice of a refund or a credit for a future workshop. If an attendee cannot attend the workshop for any reason, refunds will not be issued.
Please see the bottom of the event page as there are not enough characters in this response. Please contact thegrove78@gmail.com for questions regarding accessibility.
You know your body best and I trust that you will make informed decisions about your food/drink needs during the workshop. We will make sure there are areas where it is safe to eat/drink as needed. Water, tea, coffee, and bubly are provided, but not permitted at the workshop tables due to covid.
Absolutely! Choose the sponsored ticket option at checkout! If they're sold out and you'd like to contribute, please contact kaytlyn@softbutsturdy.ca.
KN95+ masks are required. If you do not bring one, one will be provided for you. Food/beverages will not be consumed at the communal workshop tables, however, due to access needs, attendees may eat or drink in designated areas.
For information regarding the workshop, please reach out to kaytlyn@softbutsturdy.ca. For information regarding the venue, please reach out to the grove78@gmail.com.
Organized by
Kaytlyn Nadjiwon (née Giaccone) is a queer Ojibwe/Italian beadwork artist, sometimes writer, and proud auntie who was born and raised on Unceded Unsurrendered Algonquin Territory currently known as Ottawa. Her maternal grandfather is a residential school survivor from Neyaashiinigmiing, a reserve within what is currently known as Bruce County, Ontario.
Kaytlyn began beading in 2018 as part of her healing journey. One of her best friends taught her the basics of flat-stitch beadwork. and from there she fell in love with the art & its meditative nature, and healing energy. She spent the following 6 years learning and developing her craft.
For more information on private or group workshops, please contact workshops@softbutsturdy.ca or visit her LinkTree.