dhaverstick Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishful Report post Posted August 19, 2013 Nice job. I can see you put a lot of effort into those! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benlilly1 Report post Posted August 19, 2013 Yes, very cool! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted August 19, 2013 Very nice looking work. Especially impressed with your sewing. Aaron Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JonnyRocket Report post Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) Great work. -JonnyRocket Edited January 19, 2014 by JonnyRocket Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deserttguy Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Longview Report post Posted January 21, 2014 Very nice work...I really like them. Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vikefan Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dhaverstick Report post Posted November 26, 2014 Vikefan, everything was sewn by hand. Darren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hi Im Joe Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
