Click on the center arrow to view a slide show featuring a sampling of totems & amulets including:
Bison - turquoise
Steer - pearls
Deer - amethyst
Catalina Goat - onyx
Coyote - pearls
Fox with copper stand - pearl & carnelian
Chickens - pearl
Chicken with hammered copper stand
Muskrats - pearl & seed beads
Winter weasel on sterling stand - pearl & crystal
Feline - pearls, brass & seed beads
Rabbit - pearls
Songbird on sterling stand
Group of small skulls
Many of these beaded skulls are on display at Marion Street Gallery in Oak Park. Others are headed to exhibits around the U.S. in 2012--watch this space for announcements and schedules.
The larger skulls are intended to hang on the wall or sit on a
table, mantle or pedestal. The smaller pieces are available with or
without the wire stands. I am working on new pieces, too--a deer, steer,
coyote, rabbits and more chickens. I'm also getting some beautiful ram skulls with curled horns, and some interesting skulls from Africa -- watch for new designs soon!
I find some people respond to
the simple elegance of the skulls sitting on a wood base, while others
like the personality the wire stands provide--what do you think? I am
interested in reactions and feedback! Feel free to e-mail your thoughts
to me.
The
most often asked question I've had so far is: where do you get your
skulls? This all started when I picked up a discarded bison skull at my
uncle's farm and started looking at its beautiful planes and surfaces.
I brought it home and cleaned it up, all the time thinking about how
I'd like to accent it with chunky and smooth turquoise beads. I also
felt like I had to practice on some smaller pieces, so I found some
chicken skulls through a local butcher, and then I went on eBay.
Yes--you can get lovely, clean skulls online--and, all kinds!
