In November we were super honoured and excited to work with the owners of Sapling & Flint, Teyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant & Yonenyà:kenht Jesse Brant. Twins, creators and business owners.
We were commissioned to make an image library for Meta with production by Shutterstock, showing how Sapling & Flint use Instagram e-commerce tools with their nearly twenty thousand followers.
Despite their rapidly growing virtual presence, Teyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant & Yonenyà:kenht Jesse Brant are proud to keep their operation local. Located in Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Teyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant & Yonenyà:kenht Jesse Brant have a studio and store where they create, “conversation pieces that share the story of Turtle Island.” Using gold, authentic wampum & sterling silver, Sapling & Flint creates jewelry that is rooted in powerful stories, meanings and messages across varying collections.
Our shoot had a small and nimble crew to shoot quickly and cover all the aspects of the business. While our clients joined via Zoom to art direct from three other time zones, we started off in the studio space where shooting Yonenyà:kenht Jesse Brant hand making the jewelry. We then moved locations to the Sapling & Flint store where they have a gallery shop and photo studio.
Sapling & Flint are fiercely independent, growing globally while remaining equally as frequented in their own community. They design & make jewelry, shoot their own content, make films, run the store, package & ship while also being active community members and all this happens before their children get home after school. Teyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant & Yonenyà:kenht Jesse Brant have full creative agency without having to engage in reselling or letting go of their brand.
We were super grateful to have spent the day with Teyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant & Yonenyà:kenht Jesse Brant. Watching their creative process from beginning to end made us all a little envious. Their ability to make amazing sought after jewelry from scratch, operate locally & online all while being mothers was inspiring.
Thank you Teyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant & Yonenyà:kenht Jesse Brant for welcoming us to your community.
To learn more about Sapling & Flint or browse their beautiful jewelry visit them at https://www.saplingandflint.ca/