Building a Business One Bead at a Time – City of Medicine Hat

Jun 08, 2026

Seated at her desk in a cozy home office that doubles as a workshop, Josie Saddleback, owner of Saddleback Stones, carefully threads one bead after another. Each bead, a tiny glass sphere no more than a millimetre in diameter, must be added in a precise sequence to create a piece of art. In this way, what starts with a single bead on a single length of string gradually evolves into a complex pattern with deep cultural significance. The result is a bright, intricate piece of wearable art that blends a modern eye with traditional Indigenous culture.

In many ways, the process of creating beadwork jewelry reflects Josie’s own journey as both an Indigenous woman and business owner. Her pieces are rooted in a traditional art form passed down through generations yet refined through her own perspective. Rather than remaining unchanged, her work is shaped by personal interpretation, lived experience, and the evolving connection she has built with her cultural heritage.

Read More: https://www.medicinehat.ca/news/posts/mhed-building-a-business-one-bead-at-a-time-saddleback-stones/