We’re thrilled to introduce a new partnership that brings warmth, comfort, and a touch of nature-inspired beauty to the SweetGrass Trading Company lineup. White Feather Gifts, founded and owned by artisan Tara Hetrick, joins our store with a selection of handmade items that customers already love. Hetrick is a member of the Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
What began as a simple hobby for Hetrick grew slowly and steadily into a heartfelt business deeply rooted in creativity, cultural teachings and family tradition. She spent years crafting alongside her mother, selling their work at powwows, community events and local shops.
Over time, she expanded her skills and product offerings—pouring candles, blending lotions, making soaps and wax melts, creating dreamcatchers and crocheted items and experimenting with new scents inspired by her upbringing. Many of these skills were passed down through generations, including techniques taught to her by her grandmother, whose influence still guides her work today.
In 2019, Hetrick and her mother decided to formalize their growing venture, and White Feather Gifts took shape. Since then, her products have reached customers throughout the Great Lakes region and beyond. She continues to run her online shop while maintaining a full-time job, often testing new ideas with the help of coworkers who eagerly volunteer to try out her latest scents.
SweetGrass now proudly offers three of her newest items:
- Bear-shaped Cedar Spice Air Freshener – Inspired by customer requests for a richer cedar scent, this blend includes earthy notes of clove and spice. It’s a calming fragrance that fits perfectly in cars, closets or small spaces.
- Sugar Island Maple Wax Melts – A cozy scent drawn from Hetrick’s family’s own sugar bush on Sugar Island. Think boiling sap, buttery maple syrup and the kind of warmth that makes a house feel like home.
- Bear-shaped Sweetgrass Scented Air Freshener – A classic fragrance in a charming bear silhouette, ready to hang wherever you need a little lift.
Working with SweetGrass Trading Company aligns closely with Hetrick’s values. She shared that partnerships like this help connect her work with people who respect Native-made products, understand the cultural story behind them and are committed to supporting Native-owned businesses in meaningful ways.
Hetrick has been in business since 2019 and continues to expand both her offerings and her reach. Looking ahead, she hopes to open a storefront featuring handmade gifts from Native crafters and local artists while maintaining her online presence. She also dreams of passing her skills, knowledge and legacy down to her daughters, just as her mother and grandmother shared theirs with her.
White Feather Gifts continues to grow through passion, creativity and community connection. We’re honored to bring Hetrick’s products to SweetGrass customers and look forward to sharing more of her story soon.