Eden Derickson’s journey into entrepreneurship started in 2018, spurred from her search for work that would align with raising her young son. With encouragement and support from her husband, Eden started her journey into beadwork and business ownership in the simplest of ways, by making handmade earrings as Christmas gifts that year. This ignited her passion for the craft.

As a self-taught beadwork artist, Eden made it a priority to discover her own style. While she was inspired by other bead artists and creators, as well as by the “landscapes and cultural landmarks of the Okanagan,” Eden crafted creations that were uniquely her own. In 2019, she officially launched Woolly Bear Jewelry (originally named HawkMoth Bead Co.) with her husband Michael Derickson, a proud member of Westbank First Nation (WFN).

“Orders grew quickly and soon my husband learned to bead alongside me so we could keep up with demand,” says Eden. “In 2020, I taught my mom how to bead, and she joined in, with the three of us working together as a family.”

During this time of early growth, well-known Canadian influencers and Central Okanagan residents, Jillian Harris and Tori Wesszer, started to purchase from Woolly Bear Jewelry; this led to thousands of new followers and customers thanks to social media mentions by both Jillian and Tori, who continue to support the business in many ways.

“The Okanagan itself is a region that values culture and craftsmanship, which means there is already a customer base that appreciates handmade, artisanal products,” explains Eden. “This has allowed Woolly Bear Jewelry to thrive in a supportive environment where artistry is understood and celebrated.”

While demand continued to grow, the birth of her second son and a shoulder injury forced Eden to step away from the business for about a year. It was after this short reprieve that the rebranding to Woolly Bear Jewelry occurred, taking inspiration from the Woolly Bear caterpillars she played with as a child growing up in Ontario. A few days after settling on the new business name, Michael found a hibernating Woolly Bear caterpillar near their Okanagan home, which the couple took as a sign that they were on the right path.

“The caterpillar also speaks to my own journey of transformation, in the beginning questioning if I could create these beautiful pieces of jewelry,” notes Eden. “The community was like the cocoon that nurtured me along the way.”

This nurturing community includes the Canadian Filipino family Eden was raised in, and the syilx Okanagan family she is now part of through marriage. The “rich and diverse cultural family heritage” that Eden and Michael share influences every aspect of their business.

The familial ties and friendships within WFN, along with the relationships and partnerships Eden and Micheal have cultivated in the broader business community, have also helped further Woolly Bear Jewelry’s growth. Bringing on her cousin by marriage, Salina, as another beadwork artist in 2023 was also invaluable.

“Being located here [on Westbank First Nation land in the Central Okanagan] connects us with a network of like-minded entrepreneurs. Whether it’s through the Westside Board of Trade, local business circles, or social media groups, there’s always a sense of collaboration. Advice, support, and mentorship flow naturally in this community.”

“We’ve been fortunate to work with Jillian Harris and The Jilly Box team, whose support has amplified our reach, and with Krista and the team at JK Schmidt Jewellery, who have provided a local home for our work in their long-standing Westbank showroom,” notes Eden. “Julie Pringle (Vice President of the Greater Westside Board of Trade) and the Greater Westside Board of Trade have championed local entrepreneurs like us, and we continue to be supported by our family and friends at RMD Group and NC Derriksan and Son Enterprises, who’ve been behind us since the very beginning.”

Over the years, Woolly Bear Jewelry, which operates on WFN land, has been nominated for multiple awards, including for Indigenous Business at the Greater Westside Board of Trade’s 2025 Key Business Awards. Though they didn’t take home the award this time around, Eden says they “look forward to participating in more events that celebrate entrepreneurship and community leadership.”

Eden and Michael’s entrepreneurial journey has flourished since the early days of launching the company. Recently, they have ventured into new lines of business within the jewelry space, started offering Woolly Bear patterns to share knowledge with other artists, and continue to nurture the familial aspect of the business, thanks to son Koda’s attention to detail and eagerness to get involved. Being a leader in the community is something Eden is also furthering, thanks in part to Woolly Bear receiving its first large wholesale order.

“I reached out to the WFN community for bead workers to join us, and the response has been overwhelming,” she exclaims. “The talent and creativity within this community have been incredible, and I am grateful to collaborate in such a meaningful way.”

Through this collaborative work, Eden hopes to nurture artists and help them aspire to own their own companies one day, built off the Woolly Bear brand to create a sustainable community that honours the values the company was founded on: artistry, community connection, and a strong Okanagan identity.

“On a practical level, the Central Okanagan offers us the infrastructure to grow. Proximity to postal services and shipping hubs makes it possible for us to deliver our jewelry not only across Canada and the United States but even to customers as far away as the UK. That reach has been key to sustaining our growth while still staying rooted in our home community.”