Feathered Ponytail Holder

 

This week we scavenger hunters are searching for hair products. I came across this cute feathered pony tail holder in Katzz's Kloset. It is perfect for any occasion. In addition you can spruce up your hat or handbag, also, it is stretchable and can also be worn as a pin by attaching a pin to the back part. Take a look!

Technorati Tags: feathers,haircare,ponytail,hair tie,black

Beaded Bracelet with Snap Closure

I have been experimenting with a new construction method for making beaded bracelets. One using the new method is shown at the left. The beads are weaved together using regular beading cord and then leather tabs with snaps are sewn directly to the ends of bracelet. The large 4mm cube beads used in this project lend themselves nicely to this method of adding the leather end tabs.

In the past I have made these bracelets using a stretchy bead cord and then connecting the ends together to form a closed bangle. You can read about that older style in this earlier blog post.

I used earth tones of black, white, and red clay colored beads in a geometric design. It is sometimes referred to as a modified tipi design. You can find this bracelet for sale in my artfire Sirocco’s Trading Post store.

 

Technorati Tags: bracelet,beaded,peyote,miyuki,4mm,tipi,native american,american indian,pow wow

It’s a Hairdryer

Do you remember these hairdryers from years go? Most of the home hairdryers I see today are of the hand held blow dryer type. What is convenient about the old bonnet style dryers is that once you put on the bonnet, hook up the hoses and turn it on, your hands are free to do whatever. And, when your hair is dry, the dryer folds away in a hatbox style portable case. This particular dryer is available in my curios store, Sirocco’s Curios. It is used but it works well. The brand name is Dominion. It was a popular brand in the 1970s.

 

Technorati Tags: hairdryer,bonnet,vintage,hair care,dominion

Seeking Ancestors

 

Some people love to travel and see the world. I don’t seem to be one of those. Oh, I like to travel alright. It is just not real high on my priorities list. When I do travel I prefer to travel to the places where my ancestors once lived and try to imagine what life might have been like for them in their time. I am somewhat of a family historian.

One place I like to visit is Denmark. My maternal grandfather was born in Denmark. I have accomplished quite a little genealogy work over the years and I know right where my grandfather’s parents lived back in the mid 1800s. I’d like to see it in person. I am not sure if I will ever get there though.

Last year my wife and I went to Montana to visit a relative. It was a driving trip, meaning that we drove from Minnesota to Montana. On the way we stopped in Medora, North Dakota. It is a tiny town on the western edge of North Dakota. That is where my Grandfather’s brother, James Christen Rasmussen, homesteaded some land in late 1800s. At a book store in Medora, I paged through a book about the history of Medora. There in the book and to my surprise were old photos of young Uncle Chris. He was one of the original pioneers of Medora. I bought the book.

The Teddy Roosevelt State Park now sits on the land that was once my uncle’s homestead. If you ever visit that State Park and you step into the lobby of visitor’s center, you will be standing approximately where my uncle’s log cabin used to sit.

Speaking of books, I’d like to call your attention to a couple of old historical magazines that I have in my store, Sirocco’s Curios. They tell about the American West. You might appreciate these magazines whether you fancy travel or not.

 

Technorati Tags: american west,genealogy,medora,north dakota,historical,montana,travel,teddy rosevelt,statepark,rasmussen

My First Moccasins

I spent the past weekend at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum near Onamia, Minnesota. I was there for a two day moccasin workshop. I came home with a pair of Ojibwe pucker-toe style moccasins. They are shown the picture at the left. Cute, don’t you think? This is not the first pair of moccasins that I have ever made but it is the first pair of this style. They are the traditional style of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe).

There are dozens of moccasin styles. I only know a couple. And, there are dozens of ways to adorn them such as with flaps, fringes, different kinds of fabric or leather and of course beadwork, etc. It is another whole art form. The moccasins that I made are very plain, of course. But I will be making a few more pairs only with some adornments.

You may wish to look at some of my other handiwork at my etsy store, Sirocco's Trading Post. Just click on the link.

A Minnesota Winter Storm

Yesterday (Sunday) a strong storm passed through Northern Minnesota and dropped nearly a foot of snow here on the ole homestead. I spent most of today (Monday) running the snow blower clearing paths.

I cleared the driveway and a large area for parking. I cleared a path to the big garage 100 yards away and another path to my little studio. I cleared a path to the wood pile, a path to the bird feeders and a path to the deer feeder. I also had to do a path to the mail box. The whole place is becoming a labyrinth of paths. Oh well, it’s better than wearing snowshoes. The image on the left is a photo of the deck from inside the house.

I sometimes wonder what it was like for my Native American ancestors who lived here 200 years ago. They lived in teepees or wigwams with just an open fire in the middle of the structure and some animal skins to keep warm. It must have been a hard life.

On the other hand, a few days ago I found myself stuck in traffic just barely creeping along. I was on my way to the appliance store to get a replacement heating element for the kitchen oven. It had burned out. Frustrated, I was thinking, “wouldn’t it be nice if we could just live the simple life of 200 years ago.”

Well, so much for my ramblings. Instead, let’s talk about jewelry. I came across some boxes of vintage fashion jewelry and I have begun adding some to the Sirocco’s Curios store. This item is a fine Trifari goldtone necklace. Take a look. I will be adding many more items over the next few days so keep coming back.

Valentine Hearts

 

This week’s blog theme word is “hearts.” I suppose it is an appropriate theme since Saint Valentines Day is just a couple of weeks away. I could also think of it as an invitation to blog about heart healthy activities and diet.

I don’t have anything in my Sirocco’s Curios store that lends itself very well to the blog theme. So, I started surfing around and looking for an idea to blog about. I came across the lyrics to the song Peg O’ My Heart, published back in 1913. Now I can’t get that song out of my head. It just keeps playing over and over in there. That picture above is a forest somewhere in Spain. I thought it was kind of cool.

Since I didn’t have anything in my store that fit the theme, I found items that other Ecrater Stores Network (ESN) members have for sale in their stores. I made up a little collage of the items.  

Just click on any of the links below and you will be whisked over to that store.

Great Works of Heart

Red Boots

Forest in Spain

Be My Valentine

Welcome Heart

Heart Dishes

M&M Heart Candy Dish

Heart Shaped Cake Pans