The Story Behind Thimbleberry

Hello and welcome to my site!
 

First, thank you for supporting local Indigenous businesses and taking the time to get to know me as an artist a little bit better.


Breannen Allison, pronounced Bree-anne-n

I’m a nêhiyaw (Cree), Métis, and European descent artist who was born, and currently creates in the unceded and unsurrendered lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. My maternal roots are based in maskotewisipiy (High Prairie, Alberta), Treaty 8.

 I am part of the Residential School legacy, with my grandma being a survivor until her passing in 2008. I was disconnected from my Indigenous roots as a child, reconnecting at the age of 25. Since then I have been on a journey of self identity discovery. 
I have formal post-secondary education in the fields of Human Resources and Business Management.

I’ve experimented with a number of art mediums over the years including: reupholstering and rejuvenating vintage furniture, painting, drawing, sewing and most recently beading. I primarily bead and work with vintage items which I upcycle for current use.
As a young girl I remember thrift store adventures with my Kohkom (Grandma) and my Mom. I look for high-quality construction and quality fabrics. Although the pieces might be too outdated for fashionable wear today, I make them into something new and fresh to create unique one-of-a-kind art pieces for fashionable wear. 


My beading teachings were passed down to me from my sister and have created a bond that heals and connects me to my ancestors.
 In 2020 I began Thimbleberry Designs, and since then it’s grown into what it is today. 
 
This line is dedicated in loving memory to Elsie Edna Allison. Thank you for your support (Hiy hiy)