How to Style Native American Crafts
Native American crafts range from dream catchers to leather bracelets. Celebratory occasions in Native American cultures also require lavish headdresses with hundreds of feathers and beads. The many tribes of North America have specific designs related to their history and culture. Bright colors such as red and turquoise are often found among Native American crafts, as well as feathers and suede leather. Exploring the histories of American Indian tribes leads to more authentic styling of Native American crafts.
Things You'll Need
- Feathers
- Suede leather
- Pony beads
- Fake or real animal claws
- Yarn
- String
- Hemp
- Acrylic paints
- Multicolored fabrics and beads
Instructions
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Choose a craft style based on a Native American tribe. There are multiple Native American tribes with different styles of crafts, such as Cherokee, Apache, Creek, Navajo, Chippewa, Hopi, Seminole and many others. For instance, Navajo Indians weave patterns specific to their ancestral history called "serapes." Products such as blankets, rugs, dresses, cloaks and other clothing feature these unique designs.
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Create colorful Native American crafts with multiple beads and feathers. For example, bear claw compasses use red pony beads, spaghetti beads and bear claw beads to make a multicolored key chain paired with a compass keyring. Another idea is to create a small Native American headdress pin with silver round beads, spaghetti beads, red pony beads and turquoise pony beads.
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Add real or imitation leather to Native American jewelry. A dance armband uses imitation leather, small jingle bells, suede chord and beads. A variety of bracelets and wrist wraps are made with leather as well. Add Native American designs, such as traditional symbols, to leather bracelets with acrylic paint.
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Make a dream catcher with feathers and yarn. Dream catchers are traditional Native American crafts that require a hoop or ring, such as the rim of a circular plastic lid, 4 yards of hemp or yarn, pony beads, feathers, craft glue and scissors. Using the string, tie a knot at one place on the hoop, then tie half-hitch knots around the ring, forming loops. Continue all the way around the ring until the pattern is finished. Slide pony beads onto the strings, then use glue on the shaft of two feathers and stick them inside the pony beads. Cut more hemp string and create more loops inside the ring for more complex patterns.
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Embroider fabric with Native American designs, such as blankets, pillows, clothes and other fabrics. Native American embroidery design packs are available online. Crafts stores may also feature Native American-inspired designs for needlework.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit native american pow-wow image by Joy Fera from Fotolia.com
