Native American Bead Patterns on Revival Handbag Kit

[BillB]

This is some work that I have done in translating Native American Bead patterns onto leather. The basic kit is the Tandy Revival Handbag Kit. The patterns come from a number of Native American Books I have as well as pictures of actual beadwork. The dyes are Fiebing's Leather Dye undiluted to try and replicate the colors of the beads. The last file is a scan of one of the bead patterns from one of the books to give you an example of what I have to start with.

The first purse was done for my wife as a test case to see how it would look.

The second purse was done to see if I could get a pattern that would work on the flap and on the front so that full pattern could be seen with the flap open or closed.

The last purse was a new pattern that did not work as well in getting the pattern to show with the flap open or closed. The last two have gone as presents to friends. Some of the tooling did not turn out as good as I wanted, but that is the price one pays when experimenting to find tools that give the right affect. It is also the fun in doing this.

Comments, suggestion, recommendations are always welcome.

[Beaverslayer]

I love them all Bill, very well done and great coloring.

Ken

[BillB]

Ken,

Thanks.

I have also done Totems and Totem Poles. I am doing a Desk protector in leather for a friend which has totem poles on either sides. When I have it completed I will post it along with the other totems I have translated to leather.

[Beaverslayer]

Yes I've seen some of your Totem Poles, just before the "Incident". I was wondering, is some of your work inspired by the Hiada?

Ken

[BillB]

Ken,

Yes, the Hiada provide most of the inspiration for both totems and totem polls, but the 'Ksan, Tlingit and Kwagiutl did totems as well that are also inspiring. My wife's maiden name is Haas, which is german for rabbit. She wants a rabbit totem on her day planner. Since I could not find one in any of the books or pictures I have started to draw a rabbit totem following the style rules that are captured in Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast by hilary Stewart and Northwest Coast Indian Art an Analysis of Form by Bill Holm. When I get it completed, I will post the original drawing as well as the leather carving.

[Beaverslayer]

Bill,

I've always loved the Hiada artwork, there's just something about it that gets my creative juices flowing. Can't wait to see the "Rabbit Totem".

Ken

[Glblac5]

I've been trying to find out how the zippered pocket is attached inside the purse have not found any pictures or instructions.