Members dhaverstick Posted August 19, 2013 Members Report Posted August 19, 2013 This is a pair of moccasins I just finished for a friend of mine, Lester McCoy. Lester is a member of the Miami Indian tribe and has been after me for a couple of years to make him a pair so he can wear them to dance in the powwows he attends. Lester is also a knife maker by trade and said he would trade me some of his wares for some of mine. Since I have more knives than I can use, I declined his offer but he kept after me until I said, “Lester, I’ll just make you a pair and you can give me whatever you think they’re worth after you get them”. He hasn’t even received them yet and I’ve already gotten two handmade knives in the mail. Lester wanted them flashy so I made this pair pretty colorful. My wonderful wife, Leah, insisted that they needed beadwork on them and did that job all by her lonesome. I have to admit, the beads really do add something to the finished product. I’m just glad it wasn’t me sewing the little dudes on! The body of the moccasins is 8 oz buffalo leather. The trim, lacing and fringe are deer leather and the heel and toe caps are Honduran caiman. The lace eyelets are deer antler. Everything was sewn together by hand using artificial sinew. Besides the satisfaction of making something for a friend, I also received an invitation to bow hunt on Lester’s farm in Kansas. That, to me, is payment enough. Maybe this fall I’ll have some different pictures to share involving me, Lester, and some meat for the freezer. Darren Quote
Members Wishful Posted August 19, 2013 Members Report Posted August 19, 2013 Nice job. I can see you put a lot of effort into those! Quote
electrathon Posted August 19, 2013 Report Posted August 19, 2013 Very nice looking work. Especially impressed with your sewing. Aaron Quote
Members JonnyRocket Posted January 19, 2014 Members Report Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) Great work. -JonnyRocket Edited January 19, 2014 by JonnyRocket Quote
Members deserttguy Posted January 20, 2014 Members Report Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) Check out the history of Indian trade beads when you have time you and your wife may be interested to know that the colors are very important as they can be used to help date a piece.... I have several original native pieces. One set, a pair of moccasins, I particularly like is from the Pelly Tribe in the North West Territories!. I also remember , being the brat I was/am cutting the beads off original work that I wished now where complete! Edited January 20, 2014 by deserttguy Quote
Longview Posted January 21, 2014 Report Posted January 21, 2014 Very nice work...I really like them. Don Quote
Members Vikefan Posted November 26, 2014 Members Report Posted November 26, 2014 Those Mocs are wonderful and look really comfortable too! Did you stitch them by hand or by machine? Pieces of art, they are!!! Vikefan Quote
Members dhaverstick Posted November 26, 2014 Author Members Report Posted November 26, 2014 Vikefan, everything was sewn by hand. Darren Quote
Members Hi Im Joe Posted November 26, 2014 Members Report Posted November 26, 2014 Those are top notch! Great job! I think your friend will be very happy. Making stuff for friends and family is so satisfying. Quote
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