Easy Native American Crafts

Easy Native American crafts make learning about America's history fun.

Making crafts with a Native American theme is a great way to combine both art and history, allowing crafters to learn about how the original Americans lived while also creating works of art. Easy Native American crafts can be made by people of all ages, making these crafts perfect for almost any audience or occasion.

Pinch Pots

Native Americans from all areas of the country used organic materials to create items for everyday use. Pottery made from native clays was a staple for Native Americans, who used these items for water and food storage.

Pinch pots made from polymer clays are not water or food safe, but are nevertheless a simple, attractive craft that allows crafters the opportunity to create a clay pot similar to those used by Native Americans.

For each crafter, you will need a baseball-sized piece of polymer clay and a plastic knife.

Roll the clay into a ball for several minutes until the clay becomes warm and pliable. Use the thumb to make an indention in the center of the clay ball; holding the ball in one hand, use the thumb and fingers of the other hand to pinch from the indention outward, forming the walls of the pot. Continue turning and pinching the pot until the desired size and shape is formed. Use the plastic knife to carve designs into the outside of the pot. Using package directions, dry or bake the clay until hardened.

Beaded Necklace

Beads made of shells, gemstones, minerals and other organic materials held an important place in the culture of many of the Eastern Native American tribes. Called "wampum," these beads were used as currency, as part of tribal ceremonies and as gifts.

Making beaded necklaces from organic beads, wooden beads or even plastic beads is an easy craft that allows for discussion of Native American customs. String large-hole beads on natural materials such as hemp or leather, or smaller beads on beading string or thread.

Scrimshaw

The Inuit tribe of Alaska (commonly known as Eskimos) created works of art by carving ivory, then rubbing it with lampblack to fill in the carvings. Create your own scrimshaw art with either Plaster of Paris or polymer clay.

For the Plaster of Paris scrimshaw you will need Plaster of Paris, Styrofoam meat trays, a dull pencil and black shoe polish.

Prepare Plaster of Paris according to package directions, and pour into meat trays. Allow to the plaster to semi-harden, then etch a design into the plaster using the dull pencil. When plaster is completely dry, gently remove it from the meat tray. Rub black shoe polish across the etched side to fill in the etching.

For the polymer clay scrimshaw, you will need polymer clay in white or ivory, a dull pencil and black acrylic paint, a paintbrush and paper towel.

Form a piece of polymer clay into a semi-flat shape of your choice. Etch a design into the clay. Dry the clay according to package directions. When clay is dried, brush black paint over the etched design, taking care to concentrate the paint in the etchings. Wipe the excess black paint off the clay with the paper towel, and allow to dry thoroughly.

References

• Teacher First: Making Native American Pinch Pots
• NativeTech: Native American Beadwork
• Native American Crafts: Scrimshaw