Tatiana at her desk in Canmore, AB. Photography: Camille Nathania. Styling: Florencia D. Major.

A while back, I wanted to start photographing creatives, changemakers, artisans and athletes as part of a personal project series called HumansWho. I started the project in 2018, but between now and then, my aunt died, followed a year later by my uncle; I applied for permanent residency; I changed jobs; my personal life imploded; I moved houses three times; and we went through a pandemic. When one couples the regular ups & downs of life with managing depression & anxiety, directing energy towards side projects starts to become quite difficult.

But portrait projects like this are what fuels me as a photographer, and I love the fire, connection and energy I gain from being able to photograph and interview people like my friend Tatiana. I am so happy to have Tatiana as one of my first profiles for HumansWho, and I’m excited to keep sharing more incredible humans and their stories with you.

If you’re from Canmore & Banff, you may have heard of Tatiana and her business, Beads+Babes. Tatiana makes all her beautiful beaded earrings by hand, right here in Canmore. Each pair is a labour of love, taking anywhere between 30 minutes to 4 hours to complete. I am in awe of Tatiana’s talent and so proud of what she has been able to accomplish in a small period of time.

Read her interview below, and follow her on Instagram @beads.and.babes.

Tell us about your upbringing, early life, and how you came to live in Canmore.

My parents immigrated to Canada from Peru in the late 80s. I was the first in my family to be born in Canada (Kitchener, ON) and I could only speak Spanish for the first 6-ish years of my life. I had a really fun childhood, spending my days outside in the sun, trading stickers, Pokemon cards and pogs with my friends. We lived in affordable housing for most of my young life. Of all the places we lived, my favourite was the beige townhouse complex on Overlea Dr. There were so many kids my age there, many of whom became my close friends. My parents divorced and after that, I remember moving homes often. I attended 5 different elementary schools and always hated moving as a kid—though in hindsight, I made a lot more friends from all over town because of it. I guess in a way it got me used to the idea of not becoming too attached to people and/or places, and that every moment is fleeting—nothing lasts forever.

Fast forward through puberty, heartbreak, and all things adolescent… in 2016, I finished university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Science and contemplated life, wondering if my degree is really what I want to do for the rest of my life. I spontaneously decide to take a little break and visit a friend in Canmore for five days (which to this day, was probably the best decision I’ve ever made). During my short trip, it was so clear to me that Canmore was home. What was really stopping me from moving anyways? My trip may have been ending but my life was just beginning. I went back to Ontario, packed my life into my car and drove 40 hours west with only $600 to my name. I told myself I was going to make it work and I did. I’m still here 6 years later.

In what way has your cultural heritage or upbringing influenced your work or who you are today?

It was only in my adulthood that I discovered and connected more deeply to my Indigenous Peruvian roots. It was never something acknowledged or talked about when I was growing up, so I used to deny my Indigenous roots because it was never at the forefront of my upbringing. I don’t know the details of my family history past my grandparents, so I think of my early ancestors often—what they looked like, what their homes looked like, who their gods were and who they loved. But somewhere down the line, long before I came into the world, colonization ingrained into our minds that who we were was something to be ashamed of, and we forgot. It makes me sad to think about.

I love that in North American Indigenous communities, beadwork represents resiliency. My heritage reminds me to thank the sun for its warmth and the birds for their songs. That everything is connected and all life is to be respected. I’m drawn to and intrigued by the ways of all Indigenous people, their ways of life, stories and teachings. Palo Santo is important in my work as well. I smudge each pair of earrings that leaves my home, in hopes that the earring wearer will feel uplifted, clear, creative and beautiful, every time they wear their beads.

Tell us about your creative journey—have you always dabbled in creativity and/or jewellery-making or other artistic pursuits?

I was a super creative kid—always thrived in art class. That part of me never went away. My life is my canvas. I’ve always admired art in all of its forms—dancing, painting, singing, theatre, ceramics, painting, architecture, interior design, musical instruments… it is all so intriguing and I am obsessed with the process of it all.

What led you to start Beads + Babes? How did it grow?

It was very organic. My passion for experimenting and making things is really how it all started. I think that getting out there in my community and becoming involved in markets really helped my small business to grow. A lot of that growth has simply come through word of mouth. I’ve had so many people reach out to me saying they found me because someone they know had a pair of beads+babes, and that they needed a pair of their very own. I love it!

What is it that draws you to beading specifically?

It’s somewhat of a meditation—time I can spend going inward. I love the intricacy of the work, I love that all of these tiny beads come together to make a whole. I love that I can make pieces of art that will decorate people’s bodies and serve as conversation starters among strangers. I love that the beads can tell stories and bring people together.

Explain the process of making a pair of earrings.

A needle, thread, beads, a hook, a pattern, good eyesight and a hell of a lot of patience. A pair can take anywhere from 30 mins to 4 hours, depending on the size and detail of the earring.

What's your biggest struggle as a creative and as an entrepreneur right now?

I guess time management. As a creative, all I want to do is create—create new designs, play with colours and just experiment all day every day. But I also have orders that need fulfilling and inquiries that need responding to. Sometimes it’s hard to balance all of that.

What are you most proud of?

Myself! I always knew I was capable of starting my own business but I never knew exactly how or when that would be. It all happened very organically, but ultimately it was having enough trust in myself and in my ability to pursue this that got me to where I am today. I don’t exactly know where this is taking me, but I’m totally okay with that. I’m enjoying every step along the way and fully believe that I’m always where I’m meant to be.

What is your vision for Beads + Babes?

To be able to continue making intentional, wearable art that brings people joy and makes them feel like their most authentic self. I’d love to have a website within the next year as well and be able to do monthly product drops. I think I could reach more people that way.

Would you say that your earrings are a reflection of your personality, personal style or even your mood on any given day?

Absolutely! I love colour and I love patterns. My work is an extension of who I am and how I am feeling. I want my work to reflect fun, beautiful, eccentric and bold energies. I want people to feel like their most authentic selves, every time they wear their beads.

How do you come up with your patterns & designs?

Inspiration for me comes from absolutely anywhere—the colours of someone’s t-shirt, an album cover, a famous painting, or even the pattern on an insect’s back. Sometimes designs will pop into my head as I’m falling asleep too—right in that sweet spot when you’re falling asleep but you’re still awake, floating between reality and dreamspace.

What does a typical "work day" look like for you?

Wake up, sit on the balcony to ground myself with fresh air and sunshine, get my adrenals going with a concoction of orange juice, coconut milk and salt (trust me, it tastes good!), some breathwork if I feel like it, make breakfast, then lastly check phone notifications and respond to urgent ones. Sometimes I’ll read a few pages of a book too. It has become more and more important to me in my late 20s to really have a solid morning routine before starting work.

I have a weekly calendar that keeps me accountable for daily tasks, so “working” for me includes things like beading, designing, scheduling my week, posting on social media, ordering inventory and preparing orders for shipment. I’ve recently become a fan of the Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes of work, 5 minute break and so on. It’s great for productivity and has helped me a lot.

What do you like to do to recharge and reconnect with yourself outside of your business?

Definitely going outside—getting some sunshine on my face. And having deep chats on the couch with people I love—connection really fires me up and makes me feel whole again.

Is there anything else you might like to share?

Some of my favourite random advice: Be a good person. Do good things. Take one small step at a time—only focus on what’s immediately in front of you. It’s okay to change your mind when presented with new information. And never forget where you come from.