Eleonora Godwin

Eleonora Godwin is an artist born in Nain, Nunatsiavut, NL, now based in Edmonton, AB, who specializes in making mitts and slippers, with a noted passion for the art of beading. Inspired by the many talented artists from Nunatsiavut willing to share their skills, Godwin began to pursue art later in life and continues to perfect her art while honouring traditional patterns and techniques. 

Godwin decided to pursue art at the age of 50 after inspiration struck during a visit to an arts market. There, a vendor was teaching visitors the art of making sealskin bracelets. This led Godwin to sign up for a sealskin-making workshop to develop the skills to produce beaded mitts and slippers. She notes finding inspiration in the works of other artists, like Lilly Foss from Makkovik, Nunatsiavut, NL, who taught Godwin techniques for making slippers. “For two hours she sat with me and showed me how a slipper pattern is cut out and how you sew it together,” Godwin recounts. [1] “That two hours of teaching really inspired me.” Godwin’s beading skills are largely self-taught, noting her use of YouTube tutorials. Beading has become her favourite medium. “I find so much enjoyment and calmness in beading,” she says. “I get so into it—I’m in my own little world.” 

Godwin’s mitts and slippers are made from materials including sealskin, furs, hide and melton cloth. Her works that include beadwork often feature colourful applique designs resembling flowers and snowflakes, adding a pop of colour to her unique creations. Godwin uses traditional patterns without modification for her designs, a deliberate choice made in order to honour these patterns’ history. Godwin also works with crochet and expresses an openness to taking on any new project or technique that comes her way. “But I always go back to beading,” she notes, wanting to incorporate beaded elements into new products like bags. 

Today Godwin continues to perfect her skills while participating in local arts markets, producing work under her label My Creations by Eleonora. She says that maintaining the art of mitt and slipper-making that she grew up around in Labrador is a core value she carries with her while creating art. “I want to spread this beautiful work around and try to keep it alive, as much as I can,” she says.