I am so excited to announce an new online class offering through Artful Gathering 2018, SIDANELV (si-da-ne-la is the Cherokee word for family) FOREVER FAMILY jewelry class. Registration is now open and this class begins on July 16 and runs through August 26 (with a 2 week extension), you can register
HERE.
Beauty is an important part of the Native American culture, not just a matter of being surrounded by
beauty, but being involved in the process of beauty, such as that of weaving. Weaving was and is not
just a way of making cloth, textiles, baskets, or jewelry for pretty yet practical use or for adornment, it is
an artistic expression rooted and grounded in love for the family. Cloth and textiles were woven to
provide protection, covering, and comfort for the body. Baskets served a practical use for gathering,
containing, and serving the family as extra hands. Jewelry symbolized ceremony and community.
A weaver working at the loom begins to tell a story that is written in color, feature, texture, design, and
embellishment using beads and fibers. As the weaver sits at the loom to start a weaving a tale begins to
unfold, it changes with each warp and weft, it moves and flows, the design as a whole becomes a form
of communication that is so vital in family relationships. The chosen thread and bead language carry the
meaning embedded in specific historical culture and familial context. Tribes/clans were often identified
with specific color combinations or symbols that held special significance to that family unit much like
today where we often identify with a birthstone of a specific gemstone type that holds a certain
meaning for the month we were born in.
In this 2 1/2 hour class we will be embracing these same concepts by weaving natural stone, wood, and glass beads as well as natural earthy fibers into a timeless family charm bracelet inspired by the richness of the past. We will be making our own loom, learning how to design our bead and fiber story, basic bead and fiber weaving, as well as making charms to create a deeply personal piece of wearable art.
Thank you for being a part of my artful SIDANELV!
Blessings,
Sandy
