The lovely beads!

I found the loveliest of artworks whilst in Canada, and although I could not bring it back home with me, I still dream of this picture with hand beaded Indian horse necklace! How beautiful is it?! The more I look at it now, the more I wish that I had taken the plunge and just bought it!!!

Beadwork is an art form that has a long tradition in Native American cultures. The use of glass beads by Native Americans began after contact with Europeans. Glass beads come in a myriad of colors, with popular colors being blue, green, red, white, and black, and are used in weaving and applique techniques, although some larger beads can be strung on the ends of fringes or necklaces. All manners of items, from clothing and containers to ceremonial pieces, are decorated using beads. Beadwork continues to be created today by Native Americans using traditional methods.

This is a dreamcatcher made by a local artist, eagle feathers, leather and brass bells - so beautiful! 

Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams both good and bad. The dream catcher when hung over or near your bed swinging freely in the air, catches the dreams as they flow by. The good dreams know how to pass through the dream catcher, slipping through the outer holes and slide down the soft feathers so gently that many times the sleeper does not know that he/she is dreaming. The bad dreams not knowing the way get tangled in the dream catcher and perish with the first light of the new day. 

Dream catchers are one of the most fascinating traditions of Native Americans. The dream catcher has been a part of Native American culture for generations. One element of Native American dream catcher relates to the tradition of the hoop. Some Native Americans of North America held the hoop in the highest esteem, because it symbolized strength and unity. Many symbols started around the hoop, and one of these symbols is the dream catcher.

Love this horse hair necklace!

And of course, I had to smuggle home some bison (buffalo) jerky to Mr C!