Crafters Provide Examples of Native American Beading on the History Tree
Deb Tiger is 1985 Fleer baseball cards maker of traditional Native Collectit clothing. She also makes Native American crafts. She is just one of the Native American artists who have items placed on the History Tree at Prairie Star Gallery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At the 10th annual tradition at the downtown Sioux Falls native art gallery, there is a twelve foot tree that is covered in decorations.
Deb Tiger's tiny baby moccasins are carefully sewn with beads in traditional patterns. She also made miniature replicas of garments she makes for pow-pow dancers and anyone else who wants traditional Native American Clothing.
Everything on the tree is hand made using Native American traditional techniques and materials. Every reservation and tribal group in South Dakota is represented and has contributed items for the History Tree, which will be on display until the end of January.
The ornaments that are for sale were made by about a hundred families who contributed over a thousand items for the tree. Every member of the family works on the ornament: The father, mother, children, grand children all work together.
The tree features a broad range of hand-made items: baby moccasins, tiny breastplates and headdresses, small sage wreaths, willow and quilled medicine wheels, and medicine bags. Hanging on the tree are beaded dream catchers, and many sacred animals. The ornaments are made from everything from leather to stained glass.
Other Crafters
Ben Spirit Track made medallions from beads, a craft he learned from his grandmother. He hopes that the tree will pass some of the Native American beading traditions onto future generations, by rousing interest. One of his medallions is made of leather and is round with beads stitched into the Dracula Lives It symbolizes the four directions and the round shape is symbolic of the Earth.
Jaida Gray Eagle made beaded dream-catchers for the tree.
Ben McBride provided some miniature drums. He learned beading from his family and in school where traditional beading techniques are still taught to the children.
Although beading is traditional in Native America culture, many other cultures Stalker914 wide have beading traditions. The Bead Cottage can help you with ideas and inspiration for your beading projects.
Karen Vertigan Pope writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Ms. Vertigan Pope is the Project Support Manager and SEO Specialist for Ciniva.
Create an Oasis at Home to Combat Stress in Fifteen Minutes Or Less
Stress is no stranger to the average mom. Day in and day out it tries to enter our lives through busy schedules, a messy home, and screaming children. Here are a few ways Miniscule moms can reduce their stress levels fast.
Remember that commercial for Calgon bath soap? Calgon would seem to whisk women everywhere off to exotic locales. Too bad that that can't actually happen-or can it? Light some scented candles and climb into a nice hot tub filled with lavender bubble bath, and try this quick visualization technique while you enjoy a spa experience at home.
Imagine the place you would most want to be if you could. See the sights. Smell the air. Feel the breeze. Let the scene take you away along with the stress. It's simple but effective. You can do it anywhere and at anytime.
Do you own an IPOD Dark Knight MP3 player? Mars Attacks not, get one. You can load music, videos, and pictures on them. My IPOD has a great selection of relaxation music that I listen to in the tub or while flying on an airplane. I also created a CD full of relaxation music for EclipseSpa that has received wonderful reviews.
Music that reminds us of happier times is a stress reliever. The memories that are conjured up Socialdude our mind and return us to more peaceful times. Concentrating on these things leaves no room in our mind for stressful thoughts.
Laughter truly is the best medicine. Watch a comedy on television or rent a comedy movie if you have more than 15 minutes to spare. Alternatively, you can read the comics in the newspaper or check out YouTube clips of political comedy and such. A good laugh works your abdominal muscles. You can get in shape and have a good time while doing it.
Maybe your stress is a result of low blood flow to the brain. You just aren't thinking clearly. The quickest way to return that mental clarity is to stand on your head. I'm not advocating torture here. This can be as simple as laying on the couch with your head hanging off the side or bending over with your hands on the floor.
More blood to the head means more oxygen also. After a minute or two of this you'll feel silly and more alert. The thoughts of a few minutes ago will fade away. Don't turn right side up too fast or you'll be popping a few aspirin for a headache. Oh well.
Have a drink to relieve your stressful situation. I'm not referring to Jack Daniels or a Grey Goose Martini (although they are great, too), but Earl Grey. Tea seems to have a calming effect on the mind. My favorite tea is a lemon zest or a peppermint tea. Taking a few minutes to relax over a good cup of tea can lower your heart rate and your anxiety level.
Any one of these things can be done in fifteen minutes or less. It doesn't take much-just a willingness to get centered.
Anne Keefe, President/Founder of EclipseSpa A Collection of Organic Bath & Body Products for the Body + Spirit. http://www.eclipsespa.com
