I am the oldest of 14 living children. Over the years, I have attempted several types of sewing and craft projects. My maternal grandmother, Veronica (Lammers) Burbach sewed on her peddle Singer sewing machine as far back as I can remember. One year I recall my mother ordered five of my six sisters gingham-checked dresses, each in a different color. Eventually there would be seven of us girls, but Bette Jo was not yet born. My youngest sister at the time, Brenda, was too small to purchase one, so Grandma made hers in a sixth color. It was the only time we sisters had look-alike dresses. Grandma’s Christmas gifts were always homemade. I especially treasure the gingham-checked embroidered aprons we received one year.

Embroidery was the first type of stitching I first learned how to do. I was probably not yet ten years old when I did my first dish towel with my mother Elaine Hochstein’s guidance. Later, my Aunt Sally tried to show me how to knit, but she was not close enough to ask questions when I needed help so I failed to continue. A close friend since my early teaching days, also the mother of another grant participant, showed me how to crochet. I have also done sewn crafts and counted cross stitch.

            When we were asked to try something new as a personal growth project, I wanted to do something crafty. Picking a project took most of my time. Several ideas came to mind. I contemplated quilting, cooking, doll-making, and Native American games. I even emailed Dr. Mark Awakuni-Swetland, Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. I met him at the Smithsonian Teacher’s Night held in Omaha at the Heritage Museum on November 5, 2004. He works in the Anthropology/Ethnic Studies Native American Studies. He was kind enough to call me back and answer all my questions concerning the construction of authentic pieces to play several games. In the interest of time, I decided I would have to move on to another project. However, I am still planning on trying my hand at making the pieces for the Walnut Dice Game and the Plum Dice Game. My love of games stems from growing up in a large family and our time was filled with this type of “free” entertainment, rather than movies, vacations, and trips to the zoo. He has kindly consented to let me stay in contact him with further questions concerning any of the games.

My eye was attracted to the shiny Czech glass trade beads for sale at (Sqélixw/Aq≠smakni.k’) the People’s Center in Pablo, Montana. I selected red, blue, and iridescent beads. Blue beads were considered the most desirable by some tribes.

The fact that they were Czech brings in my husband’s Czech roots. My mother-in-law, an accomplished artist in her own right, is a painter. She is also noted for her Ukranian eggs.

I decided to bead a bracelet that would be significant to me. My husband has only two brothers who both married women with Native American roots, unlike my 100% German background. One has Oklahoma roots, and the other Texan. This January, one of my sister-in-laws, Cyndy, passed away suddenly. The pattern I decided on was #059 from the Appleton’s American Indian Designs CD-Rom and Book with Dover Electronic Clip Art for Macintosh® and Windows®. There are 755 Permission-Free Designs given.

Native Americans used beads to adorn their clothing, moccasins, and hair pieces. They also use them to adorn the toys and baby dolls they made for children to play with.

Much beading is done, even today, on ceremonial regalia used for powwows.

I chose this design for several reasons. I could produce a bracelet with only the three colors I had purchased. The colors may not be representative of the tribe(s) who used the design, but they are special colors to me. I know from visiting with some Native Americans, that individuals have their own colors. Their Powwow ceremonial dress may be done in their special color(s). I do not know if the design I chose has significant colors attributed to it, as the book is done in black and white. Therefore, I decided I would use the colors that had meaning for me, even if they were not necessarily used originally with this design. The design was adaptable for beading a bracelet. The Plains’ symbol I selected means “life.” I was thinking of my own stress and the loss of Cyndy when I chose it. My mother-in-law asked to see how I was progressing when it was about ½ done. Dave, Cyndy’s husband, who lives some about 60 - 70 miles from us, happened to be there when I showed my mother-in-law. He mentioned Cyndy always had the dream of doing some beading. I understand he even worked on creating a loom for her which she never used. This was news I did not know. It has given extra meaning to my project. It seems as if I was led by some Greater Power to do it. This piece of jewelry is dedicated in memory of Cyndy.

I experienced some concern on how to attach the findings, and consulted a good friend, Pat Minarick, who is known for making jewelry. She had never done loomed jewelry and was impressed. She thought it was definitely a project of merit and asked several thoughtful questions. She was interested in the symbolism and where I acquired my beads.

A series of pictures follows to show the steps I took to complete the bracelet itself.

  Bead Bracelet