My Dream Catcher
I was wondering where. You got the number 10 from.A tradional dream catcher has 7-13 points with 7 representing the 7 nations or the 7 grandfathers. 8 is also common and reptesents the 8 legs of the spider. So saying that 10 points is somewhat untrue. DreamCatcher Premier Technical Training Provider 100%. Dream catchers are more than just a show-piece or ornament. It is believed that these beautiful hand-woven dream catchers are put to attract good vibes and positive thoughts. The concept of dream catcher originated in Ojibwa (Chippewa) Nation. This was further passed on to most other Native Americans. I have two dream catchers and my wife has one that I bought her when at the Florida Folk Festival for work a couple weeks ago. We use them for decoration. A couple years ago i sent one to my middle daughter who was having bad dreams. She hung it up and those bad dreams have gone away and have not returned.
My Dream Catchers
All my dream catchers are unique and one of a kind. I make them in 9', 14', 19' and 24' diameter sizes. I make traditional dream catchers with traditional materials, but my specialty is to further embellish with weaving to add earth elements. Each dream catcher is a work of art! Visit the For Sale page to purchase or contact me to request a custom made dream catcher as a special order
More than Just a Dream
Dream catchers follow the Native American legends that your bad dreams are caught in the web and in the first rays of sunlight they perish. Your good dreams filter through the web and enter your mind. Only good dreams will be remembered. The dream catcher is made in a circle to represent how the sun and the moon travel across the sky. Feathers on the dream catcher represent air or breath, essential for life, Gem stones represent the four directions.
The Artist
I am of Native Athabaskan Koyukon and Yaqui Apache Indian descent.
I have been making dream catchers for over 30 years. My father made dream catchers for many years crafting many intricate designs and my sister Kathy was a weaver. Both talents inspired me to create what I do.
My Dream Teacher
Dream Catchers |
| 1. Start with a 2 - 6 ft. length of fresh Red Willow (Red Osier Dogwood), or soaked Grapevine (dried grapevine is available in the craft department of many stores) Carefully bend the vine around to form a circle with a 3 - 8 in. diameter. You decide on the diameter, but traditionally dreamcatchers are no wider than adult's hand. 2. If you are using thin Red Willow or grapevines, twist the piece you are bending, around the circle you have made to strengthen the hoop. |
| 3. Use 4-16 ft. of strong but thin string (the length is determined by the diameter of the hoop). Knot a loop in one end from which you will hang your dream catcher when it is done. 4. Tie the hanging loop around the top of your dream catcher (or at the weakest point of your hoop). |
| 5. The dream catcher repeats the same stitch from start to finish. To start, hold the string and place it loosely over the top of the hoop. Move the string around to the back of the hoop (forming a hole) and pull the string back through the hole you just made. |
| 6. Pull each stitch taught but not too tight or it will warp the hoop of the dream catcher and it will not lie flat when it is done. |
| 7. Continue the same stitch for the first round around the hoop of the dream catcher. Space the stitches evenly, about 1 1/2 to 2 in. apart (making 7 to 13 stitches around the hoop). 8. The last stitch of the first round should be placed about a half inch away from the the hanging loop. |
| STITCH FOR THE SECOND ROUND: 9. On the second and subsequent stitching rounds, place the string around the center of each stitch from the previous round (rather than around the hoop). 10. As you pull each stitch tight, the string from the previous round should bend towards the center of the hoop slightly, forming a diamond shape. You should see the spider web beginning to form. 11. On the third or fourth round add a bead to represent the spider in the web. Simply place the bead on your string and continue stitching as usual. |
| 12. Continue stitching towards the center of the hoop. Eventually, the stitches become so small that it is difficult to pass the string through. Make sure you leave a hole in the center of the dreamcatcher. 13. Stop stitching at the bottom of the hole in the center of the dream catcher. End by stitching twice in the same place, forming a knot, and pull tight. |
| 14. You should have 6 - 8 in. of string to tie 2 or 3 feathers which dangle from the center of the dreamcatcher. Tie on 2 or 3 feathers and knot. |
Dream Catcher Authentic Indian Made
| 15. Wrap a 1 in. square of felt around the knot of string and over the base of the feathers. Tie two 4 In. pieces string around the wrapped felt. 16. Hang over sleeping place. Sweet Dreams!! |
Branches, Twigs & Roots Bibliography and Books to Buy On-Line
Dream Catchers Patterns And Instructions
| Text and Graphics © 1994 - Tara Prindle unless otherwise cited. |