image description: Heart-shaped beaded earrings with black, red, yellow, and white patterns bordered by multicolor beads and faceted black edges.

the author: Mandy Cadotte is the owner of Grandriver Creations. She is a proud member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and is a senior in college about to graduate with 2 bachelors in Psychology and American Indian Studies! Mandy is a first generation college student and first generation crafter in her family. She is a self taught beader who started October 2022. Beading has helped her tremendously when it comes to mental health, and has also showed her a new world with meeting people and making friends.