The Objiwa used dreamcatchers as charms to prevent children's nightmares.
Dreamcatchers originated with the Objiwa (or Chippewa) tribe, but have long since become an art form associated with all Native American tribes. Dreamcatchers incorporate feathers dangling from lengths of sinew, beads and stones; whether highly elaborate or simple in design, all share the common structure of a hoop with spider's web lacing. For an authentic dreamcatcher, use traditional materials such as willow branches or grapevine, rawhide lacing or sinew, stone beads and feathers.
Instructions
1. Create the hoop by carefully bending the branch or vine around to form a circle of three to eight inches in diameter. Traditional dreamcatchers are about the width of an adult's hand. Twist the branch around and weave it in and out of the circle as you bend it; this strengthens the hoop.
2. Tie a loop, from which you will hang the dreamcatcher, in one end of the sinew. Tie the hanging loop around the top of the hoop. Cut several arms-lengths of sinew; use enough to produce several rounds of webbing.
3. Tie one end of the sinew to the top of the hoop. Make your first half-hitch knot by moving the sinew around to the back of the hoop to form a hole. Pull the sinew back through the hole you just made; that's your half-hitch, and the webbing is nothing but a long series of half-hitches.
4. Pull the sinew taut. Tie half-hitch knots around the hoop, 1 1/2 inches apart. Create seven or eight evenly spaced knots around the hoop for the first round. End the round about 1/2 inch from the hanging loop at the top of the circle.
5. Place the sinew around the center of the first half-hitch knot of the first round of knots; that is, make the new knots in the center of the previous half-hitches. As you pull each sinew tight, the sinew will bend toward the center slightly, forming the very beginning of the spider's web. Continue making rounds.
6. String stone beads onto the sinew wherever you'd like. One bead represents the spider in the web, but you can add as many as you'd like.
7. Leave a hole in the center of the web. On the center bottom, tie a couple of dangling sinews 6 to 8 inches long. At the end of the dangles, tie a couple of feathers.
8. Finish off the dream catcher by adding additional decorative touches if you wish, but don't overdo it. Authentic dream catchers were simple charms for children, so don't get too elaborate.
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