49 Design

New Printer. Working on some prototypes. Pretty cool. Prints dimensional prints - that's why it looks like actual beads.

We get a lot of great supporters who love where we are headed and what we are trying to do. But there's also a lot of hate we get because we are trying to make things more accessible, and some people think that threatens their way of doing things. They think it creates more competition. That it's not tradish enough. But the reality is, our people have always been a changing and adaptive people and one of the effects of colonialism is that many things have become inaccessible. Our heat transfers aren't a threat to real artists. They are a tool for those who want to use them in creative ways. There are those who don't have families and communities to help them make things, or they can't afford what they'd like. We try to do things in a way that allow not just crafting to be more accessible, but clothing and fashion that is uniquely Indigenous to be more accessible. There are those who will get it and love and those who won't. And that's ok. The people who don't get it are not our intended customer, no matter how many mean or angry comments they leave.
Our work and the goals we are working toward are meant to benefit everyone, but we always know it isn't everyone's thing and that's not ever what we've tried to do. We've always tried to do what's in our vision of accessibility. And we are so grateful for each and every one of you who gets it. Who is supportive. Who says kind things. Who treats our staff with respect. Who understands our limitations. Who stays through any difficulties. Who sees our humanity, our creativity, and our hard work.

Thank you.

Many congratulations to my nephew, Brady McDougall, who graduated today. Keeping the family proud.