What’s Your Favourite?
Master beadworker and CAA Member Jennine Krauchi talks vintage bead shopping, great museums and artists to watch.
By Zoe Whittall
MÉTIS ARTIST Jennine Krauchi remembers sitting beside her mother as a little girl, listening to country music while her mother did her beading. Now, as a world-renowned artist and master of traditional beadwork, Krauchi’s multifaceted projects, workshops and unflagging enthusiasm for her chosen medium are inspiring the next generation.
Krauchi displays one of her beaded sled dog tuppies (blankets). | PHOTO: COURTESY OF JENNINE KRAUCHI
(From top) The Musée des Confluences in Lyon, France; beads being made at the G&B Beads factory in Jablonec, Czech Republic. | PHOTOS: (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF THE MUSÉE DES CONFLUENCES; COURTESY OF G&B BEADS
What do you love to do when you’re not working?
Well, I never think of myself as not working. Hmmm. Jigging [a traditional Métis dance]! I took it up almost ten years ago, just before I turned 60. My mom was a champion jigger... and it was a surprise for my mom. It doesn’t feel like exercise. I’m just having fun.
I read that you love to source vintage beads. What’s your favourite way to find them?
Google. I just get on there and start in.
Do you have a favourite bead right now?
Yes, they are tiny. Tiny. I’ve been gathering them for quite a few years now, and I decided that I’m going to do a whole miniature dog team. It’ll be one-sixth size.
Are there any up-and-coming Métis artists whose work you love?
Yes. Four of them, and we get together: David Heinrichs, Claire Johnston, Brianna Oversby and Vi Houssin. They’re all very different, some of the old styles and some more contemporary, but they’re all just amazing beadwork artists.
Do you have a favourite gallery?
The Confluences Museum in Lyon, France. I asked, “Do you have any Métis beadwork?” And she said, “Oh, no, we haven’t.” But we had a chance to go down in the archives, and [we found] two pairs of Métis-style moccasins.
Where would you love to travel?
Venice and Murano. And just outside of Prague. You can take tours of bead factories there.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned through giving workshops around the world?
How small the world is. Beading brings that out in people. There’s a connection between us.
Do you have a favourite piece of advice?
My dad always said, “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Krauchi’s “Octopus Bag,” a 26-foot-tall replica of a Métis fire bag, is on display at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF TRAVEL MANITOBA
MÉTIS ARTIST Jennine Krauchi remembers sitting beside her mother as a little girl, listening to country music while her mother did her beading. Now, as a world-renowned artist and master of traditional beadwork, Krauchi’s multifaceted projects, workshops and unflagging enthusiasm for her chosen medium are inspiring the next generation.
Krauchi displays one of her beaded sled dog tuppies (blankets). | PHOTO: COURTESY OF JENNINE KRAUCHI
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(From left) The Musée des Confluences in Lyon, France; beads being made at the G&B Beads factory in Jablonec, Czech Republic. | PHOTOS: (FROM LEFT) COURTESY OF THE MUSÉE DES CONFLUENCES; COURTESY OF G&B BEADS
What do you love to do when you’re not working?
Well, I never think of myself as not working. Hmmm. Jigging [a traditional Métis dance]! I took it up almost ten years ago, just before I turned 60. My mom was a champion jigger... and it was a surprise for my mom. It doesn’t feel like exercise. I’m just having fun.
I read that you love to source vintage beads. What’s your favourite way to find them?
Google. I just get on there and start in.
Do you have a favourite bead right now?
Yes, they are tiny. Tiny. I’ve been gathering them for quite a few years now, and I decided that I’m going to do a whole miniature dog team. It’ll be one-sixth size.
Are there any up-and-coming Métis artists whose work you love?
Yes. Four of them, and we get together: David Heinrichs, Claire Johnston, Brianna Oversby and Vi Houssin. They’re all very different, some of the old styles and some more contemporary, but they’re all just amazing beadwork artists.
Do you have a favourite gallery?
The Confluences Museum in Lyon, France. I asked, “Do you have any Métis beadwork?” And she said, “Oh, no, we haven’t.” But we had a chance to go down in the archives, and [we found] two pairs of Métis-style moccasins.
Where would you love to travel?
Venice and Murano. And just outside of Prague. You can take tours of bead factories there.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned through giving workshops around the world?
How small the world is. Beading brings that out in people. There’s a connection between us.
Do you have a favourite piece of advice?
My dad always said, “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Krauchi’s “Octopus Bag,” a 26-foot-tall replica of a Métis fire bag, is on display at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF TRAVEL MANITOBA