HOME | DD
FantasyBri — Wedding Dreamcatcher
by-nc-nd
Published: 2009-04-24 02:38:47 +0000 UTC; Views: 2291; Favourites: 22; Downloads: 5
Redirect to original
Description
In Native American legend, the dreamcatcher is symbolic of the gift given by a spider saved by a young boy's grandmother. In exchange for her kindness, he wove her a web intended to grant her peaceful dreams.The dreamcatcher is traditionally hung over the bed - often a baby's crib, although it is wonderful for all ages. The bad dreams are caught in the webbing where they are destroyed by the morning light. The good dreams are guided through the hole at the center to reach the dreamer.
Yes, i know that is a very abbreviated explanation if you know all the legends. If you don't, it is worth looking up. But I hope it is enough of a representation to help those of you new to this legend appreciate the beauty of the dreamcatcher.
On a side note, this one was a gift to a church member at her bridal shower. I don't feel that she really appreciated it, but it was a busy day overall and maybe she just didn't understand the history and emotion behind it. Each of my dreamcatchers are made with the person(s) recieving it in mind and I try to add little things to represent them: in this case there are cross charms woven amidst the beads. It is white in representation of it being a wedding gift.
This is the first dreamcatcher I have made in about two years, and it took me about a week of evenings to finish. I'm very proud, because I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to make one again with my rhuematoid arthritis progressing so bad. Anyways - it is special... and I wish the one who recieved it all thier dreams come true.
Related content
Comments: 16
Hello Dear Deviant Friend!
Your talent has been recognized and put on display in
Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with
the World!
And remember, dear...
"Every successful artist has at least one person
who really believes in them." 
~ Patricia Piccinini; artist, sculptor
PLEASE FAVE THE JOURNAL TO BROADEN EXPOSURE.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you very much! I have faved the journal and am enjoying the work of the other artists as well!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Very welcome, dear... and thank YOU!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Very Beautiful!
I also try to make Dreamcatchers for friends or family as gifts and incorporate meaningful items in addition to the typical beads.
I'm currently working on several right now, also in the evenings or a few hours on weekends. The last one I made was over four years ago and I'm just getting back to my various crafts. I'm not Native American, but I truly enjoy all of the fabulous work that is done by all and am inspired by a lot of what I see.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you. It is so much more special with someone in mind - and I'm sure your gifts are very appreciated.
I am still working on a couple, but my health does make it tedious at times. I wish you the best into intregrating back into your crafts. Heratige does not make or lessen your appreciation of things. I am Cherokee, however I am not a member of the tribe because even if I could trace my biological lines (which would be difficult), the tribe has certain well-meant criteria (such as powwow attendances) that I just cannot participate in due to health. I do not need a paper though to know who I am, and I am blessed to be accepted by many as family - whether we have blood relation or not. I do hope that you feel a part of that craft community and family as well in your love and appreciation for such work.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you, and for the fave as well!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I love dreamcatchers. so many different types, so many different emotions that can be brought to their creations
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I know - I used to make them all the time. They are still special to me, although if I make one now it is really rare and personal
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
When I have time, I like to gather natural feathers around lakes, but when you are going with a common theme like this, these feathers are wonderful... and much more plentiful.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Nice catcher! love the little flowers. :]
I was taught a slightly different legend, the ojibwe one (or so I'm told) but that's the nature of legends I guess :]
Shame she didn't really appreciate it, I know how deflating that is. Kinda curious, as you follow the legend, if you clense your catchers with a smudge. I was told by an elder that they're suposed to be smudged to keep your energy from interfering with their dreams.
Great work!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I hadn't heard about the smudge. Unfortunately, my Native heratige has been much lost due to family issues - to say the least, I am adopted by my grandparents with good reason. I'll look into that however or ask an elder if I have the opportunity at a powwow one day.
Most of the legends are similar, but I've heard many different ones as well - I was trying to summarize.
As for the giftee - she finally learned what it was. Indeed she didn't know and thought it was just a decoration. However, she seems to avoid me now - or maybe its just me *shrug*.
Thank you very much for your insite and comments!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I kinda have the same problem but not really : P
Supposedly it's ojibwe tradition not to teach your own family. Which actually really sucks for my family as my grandma is pretty well known and wise elder, she was on the cover of Canadian Geographic, 1992 may-june.(I think... it's downstairs somewhere and I'm too lazy to check) So I have to search for snippets about my heritage, piecing things together. But I do get to ask my grandma if what I've learnt is right so at least I know what I've learnt is right.
A smudge is the burning of sage and bathing what you want to clean in its smoke. It's meant to clean away energies, emotions, spirits, anything non-physical really. Smudging the dream catcher clears away any negative energy you had while making it leaving only the good. Since it's already filled with good energy/spirits the good dreams don't get caught. At least that's what I was told :]
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I knew what smudging was, just never thought or had it mention to do to dreamcatchers. If i can find some of my sage again I may do that with 2 gifts for children I'm working on now.
My heritage is Cherokee, and sadly I know a lot less of their traditions than I would like. I looked into what it would take to research my family or officially join the tribe, but it demands a lot more than I am physically capable of - so I make due with tidbits here and there. I'm very glad you've taken the time to comment and teach me something new. Even if its a different tribe, all heritage is sacred in my belief.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Ahh, than it might surprise you that the Ojibwe were actually the makers of dream catchers. Came as a shocker to me at least but turned out to be true.
But I know how hard it can be to get any kind of status. I was screwed out of getting Indian status so I have to file for metis status, which I am so I got no problem with that. But getting metis status is friggen hard, being the son of a native and a white man isn't good enough anymore I guess.
But if I find anything on Cherokees in my searches I'll let you know :]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0