Mi’kmaw beadwork artist Emma Pickering fuses modern inspiration and cherished tradition together to create colourful works of wearable art for special occasions and everyday life. A self-taught first-generation beader, Emma specializes in flat-stitch beadwork. Since 2020, she has been crafting a wide array of gorgeous accessories and regalia, including earrings, medallions, hair pieces and more. A Lennox Island First Nations band member, Emma grew up in Charlottetown and now resides in Green Meadows, near the community of Morell.   

Emma’s interest in beadwork was initially sparked when she took a beading workshop during high school. While she thoroughly enjoyed the craft, she set it aside and didn’t pick it up again until she was in her second year of university. That’s when the global pandemic shut the world down and Emma found comfort in teaching herself to bead by watching tutorials online.  Inspired by nature, traditional Indigenous designs, and pop culture, she spent countless hours during the pandemic honing her skills and establishing her own unique style of beadwork. 

Today, the Indigenous court worker continues to find comfort and relaxation in her craft.  It also serves as an important means of connecting with her culture. Emma especially loves when family members, including her younger brother, ask her to teach them the art of beading. Emma also strives to support other Indigenous female-owned businesses and organizations/causes through her beading business. To this end, she is committed to sourcing her raw materials from other Indigenous entrepreneurs. She also creates limited-edition collections for causes/issues she wants to support, including Pride, Red Dress Day, and Orange T-Shirt Day.  

Emma’s latest beaded creations are available for purchase at the Indigenous PEI store, as well as on her Facebook, Instagram, and Tik-Tok platforms @EpekwitkCreations. She also takes custom orders when she has the time.