My Story

Hi everyone! My name is Kyla Bronec, and I’m a proud Indigenous artist, U.S. Army veteran, and small business owner. I’m Kootenai from the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, and my culture, community, and life experiences all shape the work I create.

I started beading as a teenager after years of watching my mom and aunties bead. My mom taught me how to bead my very first project, and my dad built my first loom, the same one I still use today. I fell in love with beading fast. I used to beg my parents to take me to the trading post on weekends just so I could buy more beads, because I was pulling all-nighters, staying up late beading like a crazy person. I sold my first custom piece in 2015, and from then on, beadwork became more than just a hobby, it became a part of who I am.

My biggest inspiration behind beading is my deep love for my family and the culture I was raised in. Over time, my style naturally shifted toward western-inspired designs, a reflection of my love for rodeo and the western community I grew up around on the rez. I’m lucky to be surrounded by so much support, my husband and parents are always in my corner, proudly showing off my beadwork wherever they go.

From belts and hatbands to moccasins and earrings, I pour heart and intention into every piece I make. My goal is to create beadwork that feels meaningful, personal, and true to the stories we carry.