Monthly Archives: June 2013

3 posts

24 June 2013; Unique Great Lakes Pouch

Native crafts may not always appear as one may imagine. This unique pouch is just one example of an item made for the tourist trade. Originating in the Great Lakes Region, the pouch is comprised of six individual panels of leather. Fine beadwork helps hide the seams and adorns the […]

10 June 2013 Pine Needle Basket

In the southeastern states, the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) provided a wonderful basket-making material. Unlike other pine trees, the longleaf’s needle-like leaves can average 5 to 8 inches in length and can grow as long as 16 inches! The needles, which are naturally flexible and supple, are collected and boiled […]

3 June 2013; Hairpipe Beads

One of the most easily recognized beads used in native crafts is the hairpipe shown here. The oldest known beads of this style were made from shell and can date as far back as 4,000 yeas ago! Hairpipes have been made from a variety of materials including bone, horn, silver, […]