Gray J Designs

To my fellow FNIMN folks, I join you in celebrating and remembering this month. To the allies, thank you for stepping up every month and continuing to learn and unlearn, and to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, I also celebrate and acknowledge you this month.

Image shown is a needle kit gifted to me by the amazing JK. Image to be attributed to GJD.

Okanagan weather won’t stop vendors at the Armstrong Market!!

Saturday
May 16
830-1230

My first day as a vendor here in the beautiful community! The weather looks iffy, so if your outdoor plans don’t work out…. Come by and say hi! I’ll be giving away free puppy cuddles too!!

I’m happy to present the newest pack member Juno! This was both a tough but easy decision to make… you all know how much I loved and still miss my sweet Luna and after getting a house after what…. 4 years….. it was time.

When I got Luna, I tossed around a few different names and Juno was one I really liked. When I got Luna, I drove a ‘98 Saturn (named Hailey), my hotmail account (yes I’m that old) references the universe and I was looking for names that were out of this world. 🌎 Mostly, it makes me giggle a bit if I pronounce it differently depending on the day (it’s really Juno…)

Someone: what’s the dogs name?
Me: you know…. Chew no… Juno

Juno is queen of the gods and wife of Jupiter “In ancient Rome, Juno was one of the Capitoline Triad alongside Jupiter and Minerva, representing the highest deities in the Roman pantheon. The month of June was named in her honour. As a given name, Juno carries connotations of strength, protection, and divine femininity, reflecting the goddess’s role as a powerful matriarchal figure in classical mythology.”

You can never have too many members of the J-team (IYKYK) either.

It just so happens that “gotcha day” for Juno falls on a full moon. Who’s got who…..

Thanks for reading this far!
I will also have some product updates soon!

If you’d like to follow along on our adventures feel free to find us at juno_the_silver_lab on IG

Wow! What an awesome time at the North Westside Community Library for the beading workshop! You all did amazing! Braving the weather, meeting new neighbours, and concentrating so intently that there were moments of silence! I enjoyed being with you all and seeing your amazing pieces!!! Incredible work by each and every participant!!

I’m in no way a stellar bead embroiderer, but thank you to those who have sat with me in the past and shared your teachings. This class was also about getting back to more traditional works and practicing the techniques but also teaching again.

Maarsii Andrea for organizing the workshop and for pulling a few books from the Indigenous authors section that don’t belong there (King/Boyden).

Maarsii to all who ventured out and for your enthusiasm in the potential of another class in the future. I’m happy to be a part of this little community.

(Permission was granted for the use of photos by attendees. )

If you happen to be in the North Okanagan (or south, I don’t mind), I’m happy to announce I’ll be doing a workshop on March 11th. Looking forward to a beginner friendly, gender neutral, two needle class.

Registration info on poster.
Only a couple spots left!!!

To celebrate Louis Riel Day (MB) im happy to announce I’ll be facilitating my first workshop in a while!!

If you happen to be in the or area and would like to learn or practice two needle bead embroidery then this may just be for you!

All supplies included, beginner friendly.

Looking forward to teaching again!

You’ll find me at the North Westside Community Library (north of Fintry BC on Westside Rd) in March. I’ll also have extra kits with other designs available!

Happy to be a part of the community and meeting new neighbours!

Guaranteed to be a great evening!!

👉🏽Registration is now open!

Come join Red River Michif artist Jake Freeman for a unique Beading Workshop experience. The Red River Métis are called the Flower Beadwork People. Beadwork is often worn as art pieces, they show pride in Indigenous cultures and assists with appreciation of Indigenous arts.

Jake (Jacqueline) Freeman is Michif from Manitoba, Territory 1 and the birthplace of the Métis Nation, now living in the North Westside community. She creates as a passion with materials such as feathers, bark, leather, beads, paint etc. Her pieces can be found in galleries and shops in both BC and Manitoba and she has over 6 years of workshop facilitation experience. Come join us for a truly special experience!

Well hello strangers!!

It’s been a (long) while, but I’ve been keeping busy!! Keeping shops stocked, creating new pieces (like these ones), applying for summer markets, getting ready for workshops and much more!!

Now that the longest month of the year is over, I’m starting to emerge from my shell a bit.

New pieces are always being updated on www.grayjdesigns.ca and I also hope to get back to the newsletter and I’m looking forward to a bit of upcoming BC travel AND getting a small garden started once again.

Shipping Canada wide (no US at this time), stainless steel findings (from Canadian suppliers), eco-friendly packaging (no plastic YUCK).

Have a question or suggestion? DM me.

Authentically shipping from unceded syilx lands in the beautiful

Maarsii

Just a couple more sleeps until the En’owkin holiday market!
Saturday 9-5 in Penticton BC

I was able to get just 4 pairs of antler ready and won’t be available on the website.

I have a waitlist for antler pieces (at Funktional in Kelowna) but I’ll be getting some additional pieces done up for the new year… maybe a valentines addition!

I’m a novice when working with antler, I have limited tools and sand and finish these by hand. I hope the next batch will be amazing and more polished.
Stainless steel posts with a 2 day cure time.

Hope to see you Saturday if you’re in the area, or Killiney Beach the following weekend. Maarsii!! ♾️