Our Pricing Philosophy

Cultural Appropriation & The Undervaluing of Indigenous Work

A key reason for underpricing in Indigenous beadwork is the long history of cultural appropriation. For years, Indigenous designs and patterns have been mass-produced in factories, often in exploitative conditions. For example, large fashion retailers like Zara have sold beaded earrings for as low as $20—a price that is impossible to achieve without cutting ethical corners or devaluing the craftsmanship. This legacy of undervaluing Indigenous work continues to be a battle in today’s market, dominated by fast fashion.

However, there has been a gradual awakening over the past decade. More consumers are now conscious of who is creating the products they buy, and many are seeking ethically made items crafted by artisans. Although this shift doesn’t always translate immediately into purchasing habits, it represents progress. But we still contend with a marketplace that often does not reflect the true value of handmade, culturally significant work.

Self-Worth & Pricing Art

There’s another aspect to pricing that’s more personal—one rooted in trauma and self-worth. We see this when we reflect on stories from our own family, like our great-grandmother, who sold her incredible, hand-beaded moccasins for $40. While prices have changed over time, this is just one example of how women’s work, particularly in Indigenous communities, has been undervalued for generations. This deep-seated pattern can impact pricing today, as many artisans struggle with valuing their work in a market that rarely recognizes the worth of time, skill, and cultural significance.

Stepping into one’s self-worth is a profound and healing process—and we see this reflected in how we price our art. For us, valuing our work properly is not just about the numbers; it’s about reclaiming our power and honoring the stories we tell through our beadwork.

The Real Costs Behind Our Work

Our pricing reflects more than just time and materials—it encompasses the full spectrum of what it takes to create a piece of wearable art that honours our culture and craftsmanship:

• Ethical Materials: We use high-end, durable materials, including ethically sourced sterling silver, 14K gold-plated findings, glass seed beads (Czech, Japanese, Toho), and occasionally, semi-precious gemstones. Every piece is 100% handmade with care, and we commit to sustainable practices, using reusable and recyclable packaging materials.
  

• Time & Labor: Each piece starts with a thoughtful design process, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours. Once a design is finalized, the actual beading can take anywhere between 3 to 7 hours, depending on the complexity of the piece. This time investment doesn’t even account for human error or redos—each piece is truly a labour of love.
  

• Operations & Storytelling: We run every aspect of Commanda Collective ourselves—from sourcing materials to packaging orders, from managing our social media to writing the stories that accompany each piece. Every item comes with a story, which requires research, and editing. Before shipping, we also conduct a small ceremony to cleanse, bless, and protect each creation.

Our Commitment to Quality & Storytelling

The heart and soul of Commanda Collective is storytelling through beadwork. We aim to honour our culture and reflect the time, effort, and thought behind each piece we create. Pricing is one way we honour that process—not only for ourselves, but for the generations before us and the artists who will come after.

Chi Miigwech (Thank you) for your support and for helping us reclaim the value of Indigenous art.