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Native Indian pieces are among the favorites of art and craft collectors. The projects are always steeped in legend and are lovingly created by hands that value the work. One of the most popular indigenous arts and crafts is dream catchers. These beautiful hanging pieces are intended to protect the sleeping individual from negative dreams, while letting positive dreams through. In this article, we’ll show you how to make these beautiful craft projects at home.

Dream catchers were originally made out of willow, sage and deer sinew. Modern dream catchers are made with wood or metal wrapped in leather strips and artificial sinew. The decoration of the web along with the shape, size and colors used is left to the artistic tastes of the individual. Feathers attached to the dream catcher are meant to assist the flight of good dreams. Although selecting the materials is usually a matter of preference, typically to make a dream catcher you will need about 7 feet of thin suede, glue, a 6 inch metal or wooden ring, waxed nylon string, 12-16 pony beads, 12-16 feathers, scissors and a clothes pin. The colors of the beads and feathers can be any you choose.

Start by gluing the suede around the ring and let it dry making sure there are no twists or bumps in the suede. The hardest part of making a dream catcher is weaving the actual web. It takes a lot of practice, but once you’ve got the idea, it gets easier each time. Fasten a long strand of sinew onto the hoop with a secure knot and then work your way around the hoop making a slip stitch at about every inch or so. You should try to make the spaces as even as possible. Once you get back to your starting point, slip stitch into the first loop that you made. Continue slip stitching through all the loops. Eventually you will make your way to the center of the hoop. If you like, you can slip a bead through the string anywhere along the web as you are slip stitching, for decorative purposes. Tie your string off and cut off the excess. You have just completed the web of this arts and crafts project.

To make the loop to hang your Dream Catcher, use a 12″ piece of suede lacing. Fold it in half and tie a knot in the open end. At the top of the ring, attach the lacing and slip the loop end through the ring and then around the ring and over the knot. Pull the lacing tight to secure it in place. To make the hanging sections, cut three 8″ pieces of suede. Tie two 8″ pieces of suede lacing about one third of the way up each side of the ring using a double knot. Slip 3 colored pony beads onto each piece of lacing and secure with a knot. Tie the last 8″ piece of lacing to the top middle of the ring. Slip three pony beads onto each piece of lacing. Finally, push two feathers up inside the beads on each piece of lacing.

Of all native Indian art and craft pieces, dream catchers are arguably the most beautiful. As you become more practiced at the art of weaving the web, you can begin to add beads and feathers in attractive patterns. You can also use different colored materials to suit the decor of your home. There really is no right or wrong when it comes to arts and crafts, so go with your creative flow and do what feels right. Let your artistic side show and you’ll end up with a collection of dream catchers that you and everyone else will love.


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