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Dream Catchers, also referred to as dream makers, are more than just beautiful trinkets. Some people believe dream catchers bring good and knowledgeable dreams to those who believe in them. This allows people go to sleep relaxed and let good dreams come to them. They believe dream catchers make dreams come to them.
Dream Catchers are an Indian craft. Whether a person thinks of it as a belief, a legend, or just something, beautiful; people think is a unique looking piece of craft. The belief that Indians speak of; is that Dream Catchers will protect you while you sleep. The web of the dream catcher is suppose to catch the bad dreams and allow the good dreams, and ones of importance, go through the web, down a feather and to the mind of the one of is sleeping.
Indians of many cultures and different tribes believe that the night has dreams floating everywhere. The dreams are both good and bad and have various images and thoughts. Some seemingly good dreams are not always good. They can be of great importance as a possible warning or a foreseen thing of what may come. This may be upsetting to him/her who has this dream. This is a belief that many have not only Native Americas.
Native American grandmothers made dream catchers for their grandchildren to protect infants while they sleep. Newly married couples received Dream Catchers as gifts so that only good dreams would come to them. When a Dream Catcher catches the bad dreams they disappear with the rising of the sun.
Some people believe that the Dream Catcher will allow their future to come to them while they are sleeping. A mother will make her child a dream catcher so that good luck will come to that child, and to protect them while they sleep. This shows a great sign of her love for that child.
In time, ideas about Dream Catchers have changed. Many people today just like to look at the craft and the unique beauty it holds. People put them anywhere, not just above their beds anymore. They hang them in the window, above tables, bathrooms; even cars and jewelry can look like a Dream Catcher. It can bring on a great conversation amongst people whether they believe in the Dream Catcher or not.
Indians made a Dream Catcher out of whatever resource they had at the time. Some made the web out of plant cordage, buffalo tendons, cat innards; however a more modern use for the web is waxed thread, yarn or whatever a person chooses to use for the web. If you choose to use waxed thread or yarn it is important to keep it tight. Over time, the material used in the web may sag. There is no wrong way to make a Dream Catcher it is whatever a person chooses and likes. It is important to realize the ones who believe in the Catcher believe that everything used in the web signifies certain energy.
The hoop used for the Dream Catchers is made of steel or brass. People have used flexible tree wood such as willow, cedar and wild plum to make the catchers. You can find tree branches and other wooden items at almost every hobby shop.
Hoops need wrapping; and several different items can be used for this. Leather, fur, fabric, foil twine, or whatever you would like; can be used to wrap the hoop. Whatever materials you choose to wrap the hoop with, remember to keep it tight and cover the whole hoop.
Here are the instructions to make a Dream Catcher of your own. The items listed are for a five-inch Dream Catcher.
5 inch hoop
4 yd. of leather or whatever material you would like to use to wrap your hoop with.
3 yd. of waxed thread or whatever material you would like to use as the web.
Decorative items could be used such as: conches, beads, or feathers.
Other items needed to make the Dream Catchers are scissors, glue and a clamp or clothe pin.
To Start:
1. You take the leather lace or whatever material you have chosen, and wrap the hoop. This is very time consuming but it is important. You must wrap it tightly, cover the whole hoop, and be careful not to twist the leather. Once you reach the beginning point glue the end of the leather lace to the beginning lace. To keep it in place you can use a clamp, clothespin, or anything that will hold the end leather in place until the glue dries.
2. Start the web by using whatever material you have chosen; and make seven to nine half hitch knots around the hoop. To make a half hitch knot you wrap the thread around the hoop and bring the thread back through the loop you made with the thread and pull tight. (Keep in minds that over time the web may sag so keep things tight)
3. The next steps is to take your thread through the first loop put it in the middle of loop and make a half hitch knot and pull it tight. Continue around the hoop in each loop of thread that you have previously made. Once you get to the center of the hoop and only a small hole is left, you put a double knot in the thread, and cut off the excess thread and glue it to the web.
4. To add the decorative items use long leather pieces about eight-inch long and attach it to the hoop. Wrap it around the hoop and tie it. Then there will be two four-inch strands of leather (I use two eight-inch strands of leather). Then you string your beads on the leather. Whatever beads you like to use or how many beads, is totally up to you. I prefer the silver little beads and long turquoise beads in the middle of the silver beads. When you have the amount you want on the leather strand, you double knot the leather near the bead. The strand will hang down the side of the hoop.
5. You can attach a feather to the bottom of the strand of leather on the side of the hoop, or you can push the feathers up to the end of the last bead or glue them to the leather piece. I put two feathers on each strand. I like to use robin feathers, pheasant feathers, or turtledove feathers. You can buy any feathers you would like from a hobby store. The Indians used eagle feathers but it is against the law to do so now. The Indians need special permits to use feathers from eagle.
6. To finish your Dream Catcher, at the top of the hoop put a concho with a leather strand around the hoop and tie it in a double knot. You can add feathers, beads, or any other decorative item you would like.
You also can put a bead within the web of the Dream Catcher. It is the belief that a bead in the web catches strength and knowledge from the dreams, floating in the air and then it is sent to the one whom is sleeping with the Dream Catcher near him/her. Several people will also put a lizard on their web, a gecko, signifies a dreamer.
A Dream Catcher costs from twelve to twenty-four dollars to make. They are beautiful and make for interesting conversation among people. Whether you believe the legend, myths, or traditions of a Dream Maker, or if you just like it as a craft, it is unique and simple to make. They make great gifts. Have wonderful dreams!
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