Art is everywhere and I’ve naturally been drawn to unique pieces of it. My first form I enjoyed was making dreamcatchers with my mother at a young age and gifting them. I loved the unique style of her dreamcatchers. I also love having no rules, but making it as you go. I continue to live my life like this.                                                            My love for making moccasins started a few  few years ago. A time I was a lost soul. Struggling to find my true self. I began working at a cobbler shop. For those who don’t know what that is, it’s a shoe/boot repair and leather shop. I was surrounded by craftsmen. Like most trade workplaces, it’s a male dominate industry. My job was to mainly work the retail part. However, I was more interested in working behind the scenes with the guys. I enjoyed seeing them bring boots back to life, making repairs, and leather goods. Of course, the smell of the leather is intoxicating. Slowly, I started to play around with the leather. The cobbler & fellow coworkers patiently taught me things and answered my endless questions.        What really inspired me to finally make a pair  was “love.” Love is what motivated me, as well as a beautiful Bison hide. That grainy texture is breathtaking. I wanted to gift my lover at the time a pair. I found a pattern and worked on them on my days off. The process was not easy at first. I’ve never made anything from a pattern before and reading instructions is not my strong point; I’m more of a hands-on learner. Once I got the hang of it, I wanted to incorporate other materials like fabric, wool, brass, copper,  and rivets. Not everyone liked my ideas, especially that lover.                                                                                            Now heartbreak can be dangerous to the soul. Self-doubt and self-worth sets in. The confidence level goes down. Ultimately, we all crave the desire to be ourselves and to be accepted by others. Heartbreak caused me to go into full creative mode and drove me to where I am today. To be my full authentic self.                                                                        Moccasin making is therapeutic for me. I follow some rules but allow customers to add their own style. My aim is to create durable moccasins for everyone. I want to expand my skills, use top-quality materials, and bring people together through my work. I enjoy learning about others and sharing my story. My goal is to unite people and promote a healthy lifestyle. I hope to inspire young people to use their talents wisely and take control of their lives. I believe in optimism and taking on challenges. I am Shauna White Bear, the creative force behind White Bear Moccasins.

Part of B.Yellowtail “The Collective” #BYELLLOWTAILCOLLECTIVE