Thursday, December 20, 2012

Native Peoples :: Headdress

I mentioned yesterday that I was working on a piece, and in my mind's eye it was in the Native American style of a headdress. I saw in my head the use of feathers and their flare with dark tips (see yesterday's post). I've always loved this style. I find it striking how so few colors can have such impact on design.

The central focal is a rock from the shore of Lake Michigan; given to me by Christine of One Kiss Creations. Whom I had the pleasure of meeting in person recently. We had way too much fun, gabbing away far past my curfew (I jest, but I did nearly miss dinner with my kids - ooops!). Christine tells me that MI is a treasure trove of rocks for the serious rock connoisseur, and it sounds as though she had lots of fun trolling the shores looking for her favorites.  

I have promised Christine that I will try my hand at a beaded bezel around a rock. And I will, just not for this one! I wanted the shape of the rock to be au naturale because it is so unique and beautiful all on its own.

The beaded pattern is an alternate St Petersburg stitch with tila beads (aka double hole, square beads). After Christine and Therese's A Time to Stitch Blog Hop I've been trying to use more of their beautiful bead weaving in my work. I remember seeing this version and I have been dying to try it.

Lastly, the finish to the necklace. I posted this piece yesterday on CBC (Creative Bead Chat) and got lots of great suggestions. In the end, and if you read yesterday's post, you see that I went for simple. I wanted it to be in the style of a headdress, and the sides are typically leather. This happens to be suede from Mokuba (my all-time favorite ribbon store), but not your usual suede. It is a synthetic that looks and feels exactly like suede. And it is tough enough to stand up to my rough sewing style with fireline. I sure hope that Christine likes this, as I'm dropping it in the mail to her. I can not think of a more loving home for my headdress necklace.

A quick addition to this post. From Christine:
To some of the readers, a little aside...I was an Anthropology/Native American Studies major in college. And it is long believed (though I cannot find absolute written proof so it is more a folklore belief, which is fine by me!) that heart shaped rocks are a symbol of good luck. Once you start looking, you will find them everywhere :-) 

How cool is that? Christine, I hope this brings you much good luck

21 comments:

  1. It turned out beautifully! I love that the rock pendant is heart-shaped :) The suede ribbon is perfect! Lucky Christine!!

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  2. The perfect finish! Wonderful choice of St. Petersburg stitch to guide the eye to that fantastic focal stone. Christine will be over the moon!!

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  3. Love it. I think your choice of suede was perfect. Simple to not take away from the detail of the main necklace. Looks great.

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  4. Cynthia, it turned out beautiful! Love the colors, and the suede worked great!

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  5. I am still aglow at the idea of wearing this :-) I cannot wait and I truly appreciate your generosity, Cynthia! The way you captured the spirit of the headdress is unbelievable. You seem to channel the history you are inspired by at the moment. What a gift you have. To some of the readers, a little aside...I was an Anthropology/Native American Studies major in college. And it is long believed (though i cannot find absolute written proof so it is more a folklore belief, which is fine by me!) that heart shaped rocks are a symbol of good luck. Once you start looking, you will find them everywhere :-)

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  6. Oh it's beautiful! I'm a member of the Citizen Potawatomie Nation so love the Native American style!

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  7. That's Potawatomi - no e! It's hard to type with a cat in my lap! :)

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  8. Gorgeous Cynthia! I love that you kept the rock simple since it is so beautiful on its own. Nice work with the feather like strand! That is an interesting tidbit about the men creating the headdresses. They are so stunning and dramatic.

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  9. A beautiful finish, Cynthia... really plays up the contrasts!

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  10. Gorgeous necklace, beautifully created. TFS. I am now a follower of your blog and look forward to return visits. I invite you to join me as well on my blog at http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com
    Merry Christmas! Hugs, Gayle.

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  11. XO Thank you for sharing at the hop :-)

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  12. What a fabulous piece! I love the inspiration behind it and I know Christine will love it!

    Thanks so much for leaving wonderful comments on my blog recently. I'm slow at getting around to them with all the holiday hub-bub.

    I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

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  13. Great work, Cynthia!!! as always....
    I wish you Merry Christmas!!! and my g+ for you....
    …………(¯`O´¯)
    …………*./ | \ .*
    …………..*♫*.
    ………, • '*♥* ' • ,
    ……. '*• ♫♫♫•*'
    ….. ' *, • '♫ ' • ,* '
    ….' * • ♫*♥*♫• * '
    … * , • Feliz' • , * '
    …* ' •♫♫*♥*♫♫ • ' * '
    ' ' • . Navidad . • ' ' '
    ' ' • ♫♫♫*♥*♫♫♫• * ' '
    …………..x♥x
    …………….♥ Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  14. Marcela that is so sweet of you and amazing how you did this tree in your response!!

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  15. Thank you Cynthia, Happy Holidays to you as well!

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  16. Very cool about the heart shaped rock! Beautiful necklace!!!

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  17. O wow, very tribal and unusual -- a definite conversation piece! Here's wishing you a joyful, blessed Christmas season, dear Cynthia *hugs*

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  18. You finished this off PERFECTLY! I Love it!

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  19. This is SO pretty! I love the feathery effect you went for and achieved to perfection :)

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  20. Amazing post!! :)
    Would you like to follow each other? :)
    MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!


    http://www.facebook.com/estilohedonico
    http://estilohedonico.blogspot.pt/

    xoxo

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