[shonie777]

As some of you may know, I'm a Navajo (Native American).

I'm making some ceremonial fans and thought I'd share some photos of them.

The first one is made from Jersey Buff Turkey and is called a drop fan. It is decorated with colored threadwork on the stems. This fan took me about 80 hours of work to make. The fan still needs a handle made for it. The handle will be made from a dowl and wrapped in leather and then beaded with size 15 colored glass beads.

The second fan is made from Sandhill Crane. The center feather is a Military Macaw tail feather and decorated with Blue and Gold Wing Macaw body feather, Scarlet Macaw body feathers, Great Cormorant body feather and grouse body feather. It is also decorated with colored feather floral work on the stems. I have about 30 hours of work into this fan so far and still have much more to do before this fan is finished. This fan will also get a beaded fan handle as well.

Thanks,
Shonie

 

[Sid]

shonie777,
Beautiful work! I am a great fan of Native American History, the stewardship of the air/land/creatures/sky and water along with the crafts of all kinds that represent ceremonial and aesthetic beauty. The dances with great meaning to link with the past, present and future, is really moving. I like the adults teaching the little ones about the culture/heritage and passing on the traditional dances. Sorry, I get a little carried when I think of the amazing and beautiful culture and the way Native Americans were treated in the past. I am saddened by the generation of the casinos. Yes, some needed funds to build schools and make sure the children are educated but with an effort to maintain traditional ways.
If your art work is ever placed up for sale be sure to include a brief description of the ceremonial meaning for that beautiful artwork.
Very Respectfully,
Sid

 

[dagirl71]

Shonie,

These are very beautiful. You have such great talent. Thank you for sharing this with us!

 

[shonie777]

Well I finished up the sandhill crane fan. I just need a handle for it, which my daughter is currently making and beading with size 15/0 glass beads.

Here's another fan I'm currently making. The main feathers are Cormorant (waterbird) and the center feather is Impeyan Pheasant.

And here is a tail set from a Black Red Tailed Cockatoo. These feathers are really hard to get here in the states and really expensive when you do find them. I paid a pretty penny for this set a few weeks ago. I'll be making a ceremonial fan with this set for my father in-law as a gift. I really look up to my father in-law. He's the father and dad I never had in my life.

 

[Sid]

shonie777,
Spectacular!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Sid

 

[Elmer]

Thank you

 

[shonie777]

I just finished this one up last night. It's a waterbird (cormorant) ceremonial fan.

Shonie

 

[shonie777]

I finished another fan yesterday. It's golden eagle on the sides and black mottle turkey in the middle.

Shonie