Blending recycled papers to pour into the paper casting bath while granddaughter pays attention(?)
15 years ago, I made a button blanket ceremonial robe in honor of a fellow clan member, J.B.(short for John Bruce) Fawcett from Hoonah, Alaska, who passed away in the mid-80’s. The robe was called “A Robe to Capture the Passion of Our Tears” made of paper feathers sewn to a blanket of handwoven raw silk adorned with a painted leather capelet. While moving back into my studio last Winter, I found my feather papermaking frames and told myself that I would begin making paper feathers once again. So here I am 15 years later making paper feathers for the Santa Fe Indian Market this coming weekend of August 18th & 19th.
Submerging the feather frames in the paper bath
Just in case you are in Santa Fe during this coming weekend, my booth number is 283PAL which is one of the 10′ x 10′ booths on Palace Avenue which is located between Washington and Cathdral Streets. When you head East on Palace from where all the local Natives sell their wares year around, my booth is on the right. Come by and pluck a feather; they will be available for sale starting first thing in the morning by 7am at the 91st Annual Santa Fe Indian Market!
Placing “leftover” cedar bark strips as the central “vein” of the feather
Handcrafted paper press
After pressing the stack of feathers (that are placed on cloth sheets), Clarissa pulls up each sheet of feathers to dry in the sun.
Once feathers are dry, Clarissa peels each one off of the pressed sheet
I embellished the one-of-a-kind feathers with buttons and beads and wrote inspirational quotes by a few Native leaders and chiefs.
My beaded work table: Once feathers were completely dry, a mother-of-pearl button and single beaded tassel were sewn at the tip of each feather, then the written quote.
the stack of unique, hand-cast paper feathers
During the last minute before heading driving down to Santa Fe for the Indian Market, thank goodness for friends like Emily and Shayla who helped attach the fine elastic loops at the top of each feather
I will have these paper feathers available for sale on my website under “Shop & Buy”; they are $25 per feather or 2 for $30 – they measure approximately 11″ high x 3 to 4″ wide.