We recently connected with Victoria Saddleman and have shared our conversation below.

Victoria, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The COVID-19 shutdown was basically what gave me the time and consideration of starting my jewelry business. The idea of making jewelry with tree branches started as something I just wanted to try out because I love a good craft day. My dad and I worked out different ways to cut the wood and how I wanted the slice of branch to lay as a necklace or a pair of earrings. Eventually, he would teach me how to use his tools such as a band saw, belt sander and Dremel. My best friend was my very first customer, she bought a pair of earrings that dangle; Unfortunately, those broke right away but I had replaced them a pair of cute studs. The more i practised the better I got, and I gained more and more attention which lead to more sales and it felt amazing. Eventually I had started back at work full-time with an hour commute to work and back home every day. I had thought I would drop the idea of making jewelry due to being exhausted, but I didn’t or I couldn’t. I would spend hours after work or on weekends working on jewelry. This would be, sanding down branch slices to make them smooth enough to see the beautiful grain and sometimes use the grain as inspiration for creative art scenes with some acrylic paint.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Victoria Saddleman, I am from a small First Nations community in the Lil’wat Nation Territory also known as Mount Currie, BC. I make a living selling handmade jewelry such as, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, using tree branches that have either fallen naturally or have been pruned. Each branch piece is cut into slices and carefully sanded down to expose the grain of the tree. I then decide if I want to paint a design or leave the grain to speak for itself and finish with an Ecopoxy Resin. This gives a glossy finish and brings the jewelry pieces to life by boldening the grain and paint. I named my business Sziktsút [Zik-Shoot] Creations which translates to Fallen Tree in my native language.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

In all honesty, the compliments. I love hearing that people love my jewelry just as much as I do. The scariest thing about showing my creations to my friends and family and even strangers was thinking they wouldn’t like it. Blood, sweat and tears (sometimes literally) goes into every single one of my jewelry pieces so sharing the love and getting great feedback is the most rewarding.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I’d love to be able to teach other indigenous artist to make a living using their creativity. Whether it’s giving them resources to sell their products or mentioning their names to art opportunities in the surrounding communities. I’d like to see more indigenous presence in the art world in my area, there are so many talented artists in different mediums and if there is any way I can help them out, I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sziktsutcreations.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sziktsut.creations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sziktsut.creations/

Image Credits
Alivia Isabella Nadeau. Anna Lengstrand. Victoria Saddleman.