Dream Catchers:
Dream catchers are arts and crafts of the Native American people, they are said to ward off bad dreams.
Here is a summary taken from the Dreamcatchers.org site:
The night air is filled with dreams. Good dreams are clear and know the way to the dreamer, descending through the feathers. The slightest movement of the feathers indicated the passage of yet another beautiful dream. Bad dreams, however, are confused and confusing. They cannot find their way through the web and are trapped there until the sun rises and evaporates them like the morning dew.
I have wanted to post this for a few weeks. I felt it was definitely the time this week, as I keep seeing tweets about people having crazy and very vivid dreams…even my eldest daughter has had some really unusual dreams. Last night, a giant apple was chasing me down the street!
There is a great site here, which has a tutorial on how to make a dream catcher with young children, I think this was the simplest to follow that I found.
I was really lucky as @RedTedArt, gave me lots of sites to look at and even YouTube demonstrations. I wanted to try to use the symbolism and history behind it and make something with my daughter and her friends, that they could take away with them instead of a party bag and the end of her sleepover party. This seemed perfect!
I started off with an embroidery ring, you could quite easily use other things, it wasn’t until afterwards that I thought of using fairly thick memory wire, which I think would also have given a good result.
Some beads, I found these on eBay, they are a little Trollbead like, which is why I like them. They were really inexpensive, and perfect for a craft project, but not as gorgeous as the real thing of course. If you have chance you should watch the spooky film ‘Trollhand’ on the site here, as it follows on with strange things happening in the night.
You will also need wool and/or suede strips and feathers.
I at first wrapped the suede around the bottom, covering the pin screw that you find on an embroidery hoop.
I then tied my wool, to the hoop, and wound the wool around looping it every inch or so around. The photograph above shows one full circuit of the hoop.
Next I retied the wool to the centre of one of these sections as you can see in the above photo. I then repeated the looping all the way to the centre, but you need to loop in the middle of the last circuit you have created. The easiest way to describe it is to put your thread through the last triangle sections that you have created. This gets harder as they become smaller and smaller as you get to the centre.
In the centre I threaded a bead, this represents the spider.
Here is the completed web and spider. Is a little bit wonky I know, but my daughter was thrilled with the result.
I attached some wool and suede threads to the bottom of the hoop, and tied on feathers and more beads. Here is the finished dream catcher.
It was really good fun to create.
So have any of you being having any crazy dreams recently, I’d love to hear them?
Thank you for reading
theanamumdiary x
I am linking this up to @mummiafelice’s Handmade Thursday on the White Lily Green Blog.
That’s so clever ! I love it! Might have to have a go myself :O)
Thank you, the spiders web, is easier than I explained it I think. Let me know If you give it a go x
I LOVE your dream catcher! It looks wonderful. Aren’t you a clever lady!!!!
And thank you so much for the mention.. you didn’t have to! But much appreciated.
Thank you for linking up to Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Thank you, Miss N really does love it! I really appreciated your help with the ‘how to’ ideas.
Thank you again for the heads up on the linky.
Now that I’ve finally stopped laughing at the thought of you being chased down the street by a giant apple, I can comment …! Your dreamcatcher is lovely – I love the spider’s web pattern you’ve made in the centre, it looks really complicated but perfect. The spider bead is gorgeous too. Hope it works and catches those nasty dreams, and that the apple never gets you 🙂
a giant apple? that is hilarious!!! What is the significance behind that!
I cannot believe you made that dream catcher, thats so cool. I have one hanging over my bed, and have done for a very long time. I have always suffered with night terrors and the likes but since getting it, oddly enough my dreams seem to have calmed down a little. Actually i think it was a gift, anyway, i am rambling.
When Addison is old enough i may make him one, i never thought of doing that, but they would make lovely gifts, especially hand made.
Great post.
Wierd dreams? i dont think i have one that could beat your apple!!! hahaha!
I wonder what giant apples represent in dreams?? How bizarre!! Your dream catcher is beautiful! You did a fantastic job!
I haven’t had any odd dreams lately, but my Mum has… she was talking to my unborn baby through my tummy and they (Yes THEY) answered her. I hope to God that’s *just* a dream!!!! Eeeeeeep!
Thanks for linking up lovely x
That is really lovely. I would love to have a go at those.
What a lovely idea and so much nicer than a party bag.
That’s lovely. My daughter has been learning about dream catchers at a drama group she goes to, now we know how to make them. What a fab idea for a sleepover party too. I love it!
I go through phases, I need a dreamcatcher because I am not remembering them at all at the moment!
Ahh thanks everyone some really lovely comments, really appreciate it.
I could have used this delightful dream catcher this morning before waking! I like the colors you chose – the blue is the color of the clear sky and that’s always a good sign. The bead in the center adds a nice touch. Your tutorial was nicely done – great photos. What fun!
Blessings,
Marianne