Cec is Dene/Metis from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories and is of Chipweyan descent. She started learning crafts at the age of 6 by learning how to sew on her Grandmother’s Treadle Sewing Machine, which has been handed down to her.  Her Mother taught Cec and her eight siblings many types of crafts.  These included knitting, crocheting, hand sewing, beading and embroidery.  She also taught them how to make patterns for moccasins, mitts, parka’s or just about anything you want to make using brown paper.  

Cec has always taken time to do one or two types of crafts throughout the years.  It wasn’t until she semi-retired that she began crafting more frequently.  She enjoys working with different types of materials from home tanned moose & caribou hide, beaver and sheared beaver, caribou/moose hair, stroud, melton cloth, velvet, ultra suede, various types of fabrics such as cotton and canvas, Pellon, fish scales, caribou hair and felt.  She has begun to make most of her gifts for family and friends.  On occasion she will sell pieces of her work, she will not take orders unless she knows the individuals really well.  If they want a specific product, like a broach, she always tells them that she will not take specific’s and that she has to have artist license as to what the final product will look.  She finds that she looses inspiration if it requested to be done a certain way.  

Cec LOVES looking at other people’s work, especially for color inspiration and is always amazed at the talent in the Indigenous world.  She enjoys being a part of Bead Night and connecting with some amazing artists who participate and share their work with the group.