Complex Dreamcatcher
Step1
Wrap an 8- to 10-inch metal ring with suede lacing. Keep the lace tight and don't let it get twisted.
Step2
Glue both ends of the lacing to the ring and hold it in place to dry with a paper clip.
Step3
Create a web with real or synthetic sinew.
Step4
Tie one end of the sinew to the ring and make loose half-hitch knots around the ring, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches apart.
Step5
Keep the sinew taut between the knots.
Step6
Make the next section of the web using the loops you just made.
Step7
Continue looping and knotting, keeping the sinew tight. Eventually you will have a small hole in the center.
Step8
Tie a double knot in the sinew and put a drop of glue on the knot to make sure it holds.
Step9
Cut off any sinew poking out of the knot when the glue dries.
Step10
Cut three or four pieces of lacing about 8 inches long.
Step11
Tie the lacing to one side of the ring.
Step12
Slide a colored bead onto section of lacing and tie a knot below it. Add other beads the same way.
Step13
Push a feather into the last bead on each lace and squirt a little bit of glue in to hold it.
Easy Dreamcatcher for Kids
Step1
Twist one end of gold or silver craft wire onto a 4- to 5-inch round metal ring. The wire needs to be fairly tight.
Step2
Take the wire across the ring to a point opposite the wraps you just made.
Step3
Wrap the wire around at that point so that the wire has crossed the circle.
Step4
Choose another point near the original starting point and repeat the process. You should now have a crooked V shape.
Step5
Wrap the wire tight and clip the end.
Step6
Start with a new piece of wire at a place about 45 degrees from the first wrap you made.
Step7
Repeat the above steps except this time, as you cross parts of the original V, make a tight loop around it and string a bead on the wire. You can change direction slightly at that point. This will create a web effect.
Step8
Make a third set, again adding beads at random intervals.
Step9
Add a feather or fetish and a couple of leather strips to the top.
Comments
Hawkins said
on 4/11/2008 Can anyone tell me where to buy the metal rings, please?
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I have found that using wooden embroidery hoops to make dreamcatchers is much easier than using metal rings. I am able to place a mark on the hoop where I want each loop of the first round to be. I do the weaving first, then I wrap the hoop with strands of suede or strips of leather cut from scraps. I glue the leather (suede) onto the hoop about every other wrap around. Wrapping the hoop after the weaving is done also makes it possible to cover what you have used to do the weaving. While weaving, I add a colored bead, bone bead, wooden bead, or very small animal (or bird) figures every once in a while. My favorite is the minature silver feathers or crystal beads (crystal beads sometimes look as if they are sparkling stars). It is best to use only two or three of these items in the weaving - any more is overload. On the suede strips (that are added after this is all done), I usually add pony beads and bone beads to create a pattern. I also add feathers of different sizes and colors (gluing the feathers into the last bead) to create a particular color theme, and end by tying a knot in the end of the strip. I have tried all the usual things for doing the weaving, and I have found that embroidery thread is the easiest to work with. It also looks very authenic if you use a tan or wheat color. My step-father is a full blooded Sioux, and he has helped me a lot.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When trying to have 500 Cub Scouts make dream catchers, we needed an inexpensive hoop. Try using metal coat hangers. Not only can they be shape into a circle, but you have a hook to hang them up with.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Instead of knotting the string onto the hoop, try weaving the string through a bead, around the hoop, and back through the bead.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When you have spaces between knots, string stone beads (turquoise, etc.) or animal/spirit totems along the sinew.