Custom Designed Medicine Wheel Totem Earrings

I have a wonderful customer named "Maria". While she may have a "West Side Story", that is not where she lives. She lives in Staten Island. She requested that I make a large, light blue pair of earrings for her and left the design in my hands. Here is design I elected to do.

These earrings were made with elements from the Native American Medicine Wheel. If you (or someone you know), like Maria were born between December 22 and January 19, you are in the Medicine Wheel position of The Earth Renewal Moon.

This is the first moon of the new year and the Spirit Keeper of the North. The animal totem for people born in the Earth Renewal Moon phase is the snow goose. The plant associated with the Earth Renewal Moon is the Birch Tree and the Mineral is Quartz.

I have made a pair of earrings that are 1 1/2" wide and 4" long, feature a Snow Goose in the design. The black beads symbolize the "V" formation of snow goose flight. The long white bugle beads represent the birch trees and the ends of the fringe are quartz crystals.

It is said that Earth Renewal Moon people are to learn to be as clear in receiving and transmiting energy as the quartz crystal. They are as important communicators of the ancient knowledge as the birch tree and as respectful of tradition and ritual as the snow goose.

Earth Renewal Moon people are in a position with potential for great power. They are to be fluid, yet adaptable, prudent, and wise. People in this position have vision, are good ceremonialists and can take large steps in their personal evolvution. They should guard against being "blocked in perfectionism" and strive to take time for fun.

If you are an Earth Renewal Moon person (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) or know someone who is and would like a pair of these earrings, I will be happy to make a pair for you. If you from a different Moon Phase, I would be happy to design a pair with your "Moon" attributes if you contact me with the date.

Maria, I hope you enjoy these earrings! Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee)for inspiring me to design them.

In My Native Homeland...NDN Country

In My Native Homeland...NDN Country is the title of this wonderful collection of Native American Art currently appearing in a Treasury on Etsy. The curator of this collection is Northern Lodge. I hope you will enjoy viewing these pieces as much as I did.

I call your attention to the first piece on the left of the bottom row. It is featured in my Etsy store but was done by friend and collective member, Donel Keeler. This piece, Lakota Wedding, was a timely for me as I have just returned from my niece's wedding.

For her wedding, I beaded Marriage Feathers and did a Native Ceremony following the traditional wedding ceremony. I haven't downloaded photos of the wedding but will do so in the near future.

I want to thank Northern Lodge for this feature. The owner of Northern Lodge is from Colorado and is a Biologist, animal lover, gardener, bird watching, fishing woman, who also loves to canoe, hike, read, sew, and be creative.

Her store on Etsy is a delightful mixture of fiber arts, vintage pieces and even beaded umbilical cord amulets. Here is one of her beaded umbilical cord amulets. Visit her at http://www.northernlodge.etsy.com/

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Northern Lodge for featuring the Lakota Wedding in your wonderful treasury!

Native Artist: Donel Keeler

This wonderful print is of an original painting done by the award winning Native (Dakota)artist, Donel Keeler. It features a "stampede" of ponies painted in the traditional Native American stylized form.

This colorful print is done in shades of blue, fushia, gold, and burnt umbre. It was done in Donel's signature fashion....on a sheet of columnar analysis pad paper. This use of materials at hand is the Native way! We use what we have to create beauty.

The print is dry mounted on a gold mat and is ready to frame. It is 12" X 16".

This will be a wonderful addition to the collector of Native American art, horse lovers, or anyone who admires clean lines and colorful art. It is available in both my Etsy and Artfire Stores. http://www.jstinson.etsy.com http://www.jstinson.artfire.com

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing. (via jstinson)

New Listing on Etsy and Artfire

This striking teal,orange,and yellow bracelet in my Prairie Rose design was made on my trusty loom. It features an sparkling orange flower with a yellow and crystal center.

The beaded portion of the bracelet is 6 1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. The silver plated chain and lobster claw clasp make the bracelet adjustable to fit wrists up to 9 inches.

If you like the design but would prefer it in other colors, I have similar ones posted on this site or you can contact me with your specific interests. I would be happy to loom one just for you.

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing

Custom Pendant

Not long ago, I was contacted by a very nice lady who had a pair of native american earrings. She wanted a pendant to match them. After several e-mails, we determined that the best way to approach the situation was for her to send me one of the earrings.

It is often difficult to match the work done by someone else even if you are able to locate the beads. Exact matches are usually not possible. Even dye lots from one batch of the same beads differ from one another. So, I had no idea what I problems that I would face.

She also wanted the pendant to be larger than the earrings. This gets into another set of problems. How do you replicate the original design but enlarge it?

She did not want a necklace, only the pendant. She will be able to change the necklace portion with leather, ribbon, or cord depending on her mood and her apparell.

Next problem. A pair of earrings that one has had for several years will be dulled somewhat due to sunlight, wear, etc. New beads will be brighter.

The pendant is finished and is about as close as I could make it. I just sent the photo off to her and am waiting to hear back. I hope she likes it!

New Listing

This striking black and AB (auroa borealis) white bracelet was made on my trusty loom. It has a somewhat "art deco" feel.

The beaded portion of the bracelet is 6 1/2 inches long and 1 1/8 inches wide. The silver plated chain and lobster claw clasp make the bracelet adjustable to fit wrists up to 9 inches.

If you like the design but would prefer it in other colors, I have similar ones posted on this site or you can contact me with your specific interests. I would be happy to loom one just for you.

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing.

Pink Fan Fare Earrings: New Etsy and Artfire Listing

I was requested by one of my customers to make these earrings in pink for her daughter's upcoming birthday. While I had the beads out, I decided to make and list a second pair in my Etsy ( http://www.jstinson.etsy.com ) and Artfire ( http://www.jstinson.artfire.com ) stores.

These have been made in a variety of colors and I would be happy to custom make a pair for you in any color you choose. Many of my customers have become a fan of these Fan Fare earrings and have them in several colors! Let me know what you think!