This page is dedicated to our own beading art and that of local craftspeople and native americans--displaying such intriguing designs as "octopus bags", tinder bags, "tipi" bags, mocassins, deerskin shirts and leggings... done in lane stitch, Crow stitch, overlay stitch, backstitch, and of various tribal designs. We specialize in replicas. We will also be dealing in goatskin leather from Mexico.
Dramatic beadwork, ermine tassles, horse-hair tassles with tin cones. Reproduction of a shirt from the early 1800's.
Beadwork color and geometry of our reproduction shirt has been calculated by using digital computer viewing, photo examination, and with reference to bead colors and styles used in the period. Approximately 4 pounds of beads were used in this reproduction.
Known as "In-mut-too-yah"of the "Nee-mee-poo" (Nez Perce)--among other spellings--chief Joseph was one of North America's greatest leaders. He is most widely known for his excellent leadership and "military" skill in guiding his people on an epic escape from the U.S. cavalry--who were attempting to defeat them and place his tribe on reservation lands. One legend is told of how he and his band of men, women and children crept through the cavalry camp in the middle of the night and reversed their path without the cavalry even noticing.
The lengthy history aside (there are book upon book and website upon website in his honor) this shirt is my attempt at getting closer to the enigma of Chief Joseph and the art and craft of his people of days gone by--and to develop my own appreciation of the finest art and craft of North America.
Please scroll down this beadwork page; click on photos for full size detail. This page presently includes all of our hand-crafted beadwork. These are reproductions or replicas of traditional native American beading. If you are a beadworker and have items you would like to sell we are interested in carrying other people's crafts. Our preference is for older (1800's to early 1900's) beadwork styles reflecting the great historical traditions of Native American beadwork.
Cree Beaded Pouch
$100.00
...for ammunition, etc..
Great addition to your rendezvous or pow-wow outfit. A great possibles bag.
This beaded pouch is a reproduction of a Cree indian beaded ammunition pouch from Fort Albany.
The beading style is overlay stitch with yellow edge beading. The flap has "identical" half circle beadwork design on both sides.
Material for the bag is commercial tanned deerhide. An inner layer of 10-oz. canvas and light blue denim makes it strong and ready to use for ammo, tinder, or tobacco.
The strap is of 4-strand braided deer hide.
Once again--modern vanities aside--this bag was originally made for a man... we think anyone will enjoy it.
7-inch high x 5-1/2-inch wide.
Mountain Man Raccoon skin Bag
$100.00
You'll love this soft, soft bag with roomy interior and 2-1/2" brain-tanned strap.
NEW!
"Antique Rose" Beaded Mocassins
$50.00
Real hand brain-tanned buckskin mocassins with 12/0 beadwork. 8-in. long, 8-in. instep. Size 7 or 8 women's.
Brain-Tanned Buckskin Wedding Dress (used)
$420.00 ($580 or more new)
Used only a few times; very good shape. Features large pony beads and imitation elk tooth. 2 FULL HIDES: see photo. Some of the most excellent brain-tanning you will see (and feel). Holes sewn with real sinew.
Brain-Tanned Buckskin Pants (used)
$220.00 ($500 or more new)
Some wear, but still in very good shape. Can be cleaned. Holes sewn with real sinew.
Brain-Tanned Buckskin Tunic (used)
$170.00 ($450 new)
Some wear, but in very good shape. May be cleaned. Holes sewn with real sinew.
The shirt is depicted above in a painting by Cyrenius Hall in 1800 and in a photo from the same period. Given the color from the one and the detail of the other I have as precisely as possible recreated the exact relation and color as the original. This buckskin shirt took over two years to complete and represents well over 90 hours of beading work alone.
There are approximately 4 pounds of beads on the shirt-- mostly 11/0 and 12/0 glass beads. The shoulder bands are comprised of dark red, apple green, black, and 8/0 white pony beads--beaded on separate leather. The arms are black and white 8/0 pony beads and 8/0 dark reds. The chest emblem was meticulously recreated with dark brown, dark red, white, greasy yellow, cobalt translucent, and apple green and is beaded on separate leather.
Long horsehair tassles adorn the front of the shirt underneath the emblem and they are attached with artificial sinew in tin cones. The reproduction ermine tassles on the shoulder are tied with artificial sinew and red flannel.
Stitching on the shirt is all done by hand with a whip stitch or glover's stitch as appropriate. Note the consistency of the stitching from the photographs. The hide is commercial tanned natural buckskin color deerhide.
The fringe is ample and lengthy in back. Every attempt has been made to recreate the style of the original--with the shape of the animal as much in appearance as possible. (see photos below.) (please be patient, we have placed photos with large size and complete detail.)
Sizing (if the shirt is to be worn) is as follows:
In general the shirt is a men's Large or XtraLarge (front below arms is left open as was typical of these shirts.)
Chest: 50"
Girth of upper arm 25" around
Nape of neck to wrist 39"
Length of front from neck 29"
Length of back from neck 32" to 44"
Wrist 12" around
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
Flint and Steel Sets
(for your beaded possibles bags)
Oval Striker
$10.00
Lewis & Clark Expedition Model
$13.50
Single Finger
With Screwdriver
$10.00
Sioux Style Quiver, Bow, and Arrows
$350
Made by a local artist, hunter, bowyer, and beadworker--this Carrick set is a real value!. The beadwork and leather work are all in the Sioux style. 6 Painted arrows tipped with hand-knapped points, glue-backed oak bow and tons of handiwork. Carrick was taught by the Sioux when he lived on the reservation as a youth and now mostly does his work for his own enjoyment. For more detailed photos please e-mail us; we haven't had the time to put the full display on the site yet.
Bow, 6 arrows, sheath & quiver.
Sioux Style Quiver & Practice Point Arrows
$200
Also by Carrick. The beadwork and leather work are all in the Sioux style. 9 Painted arrows tipped with metal points. Red felt on back of strap. Carrick was taught by the Sioux when he lived on the reservation as a youth and now mostly does his work for his own enjoyment. For more detailed photos please e-mail us; we haven't had the time to put the full display on the site yet.
HIDES: The Trading Post has several local sources for handmade, braintanned deer hides, and other special hides (moose, elk, bison, antelope). These hides are of the highest quality: "fluffy" buckskin (like buckskin was supposed to be) and perfect for your authentic beadwork.
These hides are not inexpensive--but if you know your hides and beadwork this will not surprise you. There is simply no comparing them to chemical-tanned hides. Please inquire if you have any needs for hides and we will check on availability. Winter time is the time for hide tanning, but you may want to get your inquiry in sooner!
--kh
(Separate arrows also available on our Arrowheads page.)
All written information, photos, layout, ad copy, and artwork on these pages--unless otherwise noted--is copyrighted in 2005 by Karl Heiss for exclusive use by the Straw Bale Trading Post. For permission to copy or reprint any of these created works in part or their entirety please contact the site administrator at yerbatrade@yahoo.com
Buckskin & Beadwork
