Medicine Beads & Works

Medicine Beads & Works Practical Traditional Herbalist.

I am Thompson (Nlaka'pamux) from the Boston Bar First Nation (Tuckkwiowhum) - Grandfather's side, along with Shuswap (Secwepemc) from the Canim Lake Band (Tsq'escen) - Grandmother's side and European.

Dolly Parton ...you were an incredible Inspiration 🪶🩷This beaded leather art piece was designed specifically for the No...
08/26/2026

Dolly Parton ...you were an incredible Inspiration 🪶🩷

This beaded leather art piece was designed specifically for the North American PeaceLoveArt exhibition and auction.

This piece has since sold...our mother Grace created the leather pieces in a floral design along with a patchwork style backdrop and Gladys and I worked collectively on the vision, Gladys and all her years of beading artistry brought it to its full glory... I wrote the related narrative which is an homage to our childhood and growing up, listening to the musical talent of...Dolly Parton and Janice Joplin, to name a few. (Attached is the narrative to compliment the art piece)

🌿Artist: Gladys Rowan

Organization: Dreamcatcher Foundation

Peace Love Art: Indigenous Collective 2022

Statement about the art piece submitted:

Excerpt taken from the original narrative:

"The patchwork symbolizes the many pieces… narratives and experiences …the putting together…sewing up… along with, the taking apart… undoing…all together, creating...reflecting the many chapters written and being written in our lives. The flower is the beauty that continues to grow, shine through, provide light in our journey. The use of embroidery floss to highlight…outline…or not, the use of beads to add texture and dimension, colors…melding…intermingling…like a kaleidoscope…used to reflect our everchanging feelings as it relates to our experiences. The bag can become heavy at times or lighter as we journey…based on our lived experiences…we may have the choice or not, to make them lighter…life is just that…altogether, in how we carry them. The fringe lends itself to freedom of movement, the ability to move beyond where we are in our lives or remain…the choice is ours…not always, thou.

This special art wearable piece is a tribute to a song by Dolly Parton called “The Coat of Many Colors” https://youtu.be/D5BwNeFxBJM?si=o2x09NpMrJZdQK-w and the retro, vintage flair of Janice Joplin."

Description of the proposed work, intended artwork design:

Title: “Shoulder Bag of Many Colors and Pieces”

The proposed work will be creatively transformed into a smoked traditional tan shoulder bag with a combination of both outlines… embroidered vibrant, complimentary floss colors along with beading that lends to a three-dimensional, textured look with a nostalgic, retro, vintage flare to it.🌿

🪶Attached full FaceBook article:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EvKAb8oRY/🪶

🌻My sister, Gladys (Art by Gladys) and I collaborated on a request made by First Peoples' Cultural Council located in Br...
06/12/2026

🌻My sister, Gladys (Art by Gladys) and I collaborated on a request made by First Peoples' Cultural Council located in Brentwood Bay, BC for an Elder's Gathering that took place in May 2026. The items were to be added to the gift baskets for draws at the event.🌻

🌿The request included 4 Beavertail keychains; 14 Mini pouch necklaces with semi-precious stones inside; 6 Traditional tan, leather caps with semi precious stones and 4 Direction Medicine decorative vials with scrolls ...a write up for the medicines and a write up for the semi-precious stone meanings.🌿

🌿Art by Gladys created the Mini pouch necklaces & Beavertail keychains and Medicine Beads & Works made the Traditional tan, leather cap, semi- precious stone vials.🌿

🌻Thank you for your ongoing interest and support.🌻

🌾Another special request from Phyllis Webstad, CEO and Co-Founder of the Orange Shirt Society at the directive of her Ex...
06/11/2026

🌾Another special request from Phyllis Webstad, CEO and Co-Founder of the Orange Shirt Society at the directive of her Executive Assistant.🌾

She has asked me to fill an order of 🧡Little Orange Shirt🧡 commemorative vials that I create and fill each with a mixture of my 4 Direction Medicines.

Additionally, she has requested several of my traditional tan, cultural/traditional kits with the leather cap, semi precious stone, decorative vials that I also make and fill with the same medicines.

I commission my sister, Gladys, Art by Gladys to make my pouches.

Thank you, Orange Shirt Society, for your interest and your continued support in my creative wares for gift honorings and giveaways for such an important initiative. The order is on it's way for delivery June 11th.

🌾Heartfelt.🌾

🌿Thank you to Williams Lake First Nation for your continued support and interest in not only my culture & traditional ki...
06/03/2026

🌿Thank you to Williams Lake First Nation for your continued support and interest in not only my culture & traditional kits and traditional medicines but my sister, Gladys's (FB page: Art by Gladys... https://www.facebook.com/share/17fLo7d8kD/) traditional leather & beadwork🌿

💐I would also like to honor and recognize our late mother, Grace (Made with Grace), who was not only an intrigal part of our team, she was an incredibly talented leather & beadwork artist, herself. Thank you, Mom for your invaluable contribution... your many hours of creating.💐

Medicine Beads & Works prepared traditional edibles along with traditional medicines for the Denisiqi Family Services Ho...
05/28/2026

Medicine Beads & Works prepared traditional edibles along with traditional medicines for the Denisiqi Family Services Honoring our Families Traditional Powwow on May 9th, 2026.

Joined by Auntie Rise who made the beautiful vintage suncatchers, necklaces, and bracelets and Gladys, my sister, Art by Gladys who was selling her amazing leather and beadwork.

A combination of my traditional tan Cultural/Traditional kits that include the 4 Direction Medicine semi-precious stone ...
05/16/2026

A combination of my traditional tan Cultural/Traditional kits that include the 4 Direction Medicine semi-precious stone decorative vials along with smoked, traditional tan pouches, green abalone shells and quill wrapped feathers were created to form part of the traditional gifts for the gift give away and honoring for Williams Lake First Nation's Education Department. Also included in the gift giveaways were Art by Gladys's beaded keychains, pouches with lacing & zipper pulls.

Exerpt taken from WLFN's FB page regarding the event which took place on February 25th, 2026...

"On February 25, 2026, representatives of Williams Lake First Nation’s Chief and Council, Leadership, and Education Department gathered with the Administration and Trustees of School District 27 (SD27), Maranatha Christian School, Cariboo Adventist Academy, and Little Chiefs Primary School to celebrate a meaningful milestone. Together, they marked the signing of four Local Education Agreements (LEAs) between Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) and these education partners, affirming a shared commitment to supporting Indigenous children throughout their educational journey..."

"LEAs serve as a shared accountability framework among the parties involved, supporting the success of First Nation Member students in the school system..."

"Attending as a distinguished guest was BC’s Superintendent of Indigenous Education, Dr. Brad Baker of the Squamish Nation..."

Click on the link for full details:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BAsrybj8N/

Thank you for choosing Medicine Beads & Works and Art by Gladys to provide these gift giveaways for such a momentous event.

Great piece of reference material...for the practical herbalist or the consumer...🌾
11/24/2025

Great piece of reference material...for the practical herbalist or the consumer...🌾

Norm, a local wood working artist that I have come to know through my sister, Gladys, made me this vintage style shelf f...
11/23/2025

Norm, a local wood working artist that I have come to know through my sister, Gladys, made me this vintage style shelf for my traditional medicines.

The name of his business is Spirit of the West Log Furniture.

https://sw-furniture.com/

"Every piece is painstakingly assembled with glued mortise & tenon joinery, then enhanced by a hardwood dowel through each joint. (see photos below)"

The barnwood shiplap boards that he used for my shelf...had been salvaged over the years and repurposed for many wood projects around their family home, including my special request.

My shelf is over 80 to 100 years old in wood years 😉😊 according to Norm.

As a bit of a back story that I feel important to share to provide context...my sister Gladys, Art by Gladys, was good friends with Sandi, his wife. Sandi unfortunately passed away last year.

She was a beautiful lady, very spiritual...very connected to the land...and offered different types of healing work in community and at their home through the years...helping many people.

I didn't actually get to know Norm until I came out to their home after the memorial gathering for Sandi which took place last year.

It was at this time, visiting with Jaz (Norm's daughter) that I got to see all the types of wood art and carpentry work that her dad had been working on in his gallery and what he had completed on the inside and outside of the family home...absolutely amazing.

You really truly felt like you had stepped into how things were constructed in the wild west but with such care and consideration of the natural surroundings.

Norm's shop and their home are located in a beautiful natural setting. It is a country drive down Spring Valley Road, approximately 11 km off of Highway 97 North.

A historic mill cabin on Norm & his late wife Sandi's property forms a modern day old western style gallery and in another like cabin...he creates his beautiful works of art.

I have quite enjoyed the visits I have had with Norm, Sandi and his family. Kukwstsétsemc.

In ending, I am truly grateful and happy to support a local woodworker...especially one who continues to reclaim and repurpose different types of wood...that others may potentially see as refuse... using joinery practices that keep the old ways alive... creating beautiful custom pieces for those who search him out..

The piece Norm created to hold and showcase my traditional medicines was beyond exceptional...he captured the true spirit of my brand ʔes X̣əz̓stés Botanicals.

Huge accolades to you, Norm!

🌿These are super easy to make and full of YUMMY goodness.🌿Each of these parfaits include:1) Oat Milk 2) Organic Black Ch...
11/23/2025

🌿These are super easy to make and full of YUMMY goodness.🌿

Each of these parfaits include:

1) Oat Milk
2) Organic Black Chia seeds
🥥3) Organic Unsweetened Coconut
4) Pumpkin & Flax Seed Granola
5) Lactose Free Probiotic Yogurt
🐝6) Bee Pollen
🍯7) Unpasterized Honey
🫐🍓8) Interchangeable Whole berries ie Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries etc
🍓9) Various fruit purees ie Strawberry, ThimbleBerry, Raspberry, etc

✨️The nutritional benefits include: vitamins & minerals, omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, plant based complete protein, pre & probiotics, supports digestive health, readily available sources of energy, enhances immune function, fights inflammation, heart health, promotes healing, supports liver health, enhances skin health, and, supports eye health.✨️

✨️The medicinal properties are: Anti-oxidant, Anti-bacterial, Anti-viral, Anti-fungal, Anti-microbial, Anti-inflammatory.✨️

🌿I like to forage for berries etc should I be able to find them in my local area.

🌿However, should I need to source the ingredients I try to stay within BC or Canada, if possible.

🌿I also like to buy from those that are keeping the old ways alive ie farming, bee keeping etc.

Address

One Hundred Mile House, BC
V0K2E0

Telephone

+12508195751

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Medicine Beads & Works posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Medicine Beads & Works:

Shortcuts

Share

Category