GROWING UP, I NEVER REALLY KNEW I WAS INDIAN. I WAS RAISED AS A CHRISTIAN. I WAS JUST BORN TO CRAFT. AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GIFTED WITH MAKING THINGS. I WOULD PAINT CERAMICS, CROCHET, MAKE SOAPS, CANDLES, MAKE FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS, AND DO WOODWORKING. IN THE 80'S THERE WASN'T ANY INSTRUCTIONS OR KITS ON HOW TO MAKE DREAM CATCHERS,IN SOUTH CAROLINA; NOT TO MY KNOWLEGE. A FRIEND OF MINE,GALE, WHO LIVED IN TEXAS USE TO MAKE AND SELL NATIVE CRAFTS. I ASKED HER IF SHE WOULD SHOW ME HOW TO MAKE A DREAM CATCHER. SHE TOLD ME SHE WOULD WHEN I CAME TO VISIT HER ONE DAY. 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT CONVERSATION ON THE PHONE, MY FRIEND WENT INTO THE HOSPITAL. SHE THEN PASSED AWAY 10 DAYS LATER OF OVARIAN CANCER. SHE NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TO SHOW ME HOW TO MAKE THE BEAUTIFUL DREAM CATCHERS. HER FAMILY GAVE ME ALL OF HER NATIVE CRAFT SUPPLIES. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO WITH ALL OF HER LEATHER, FEATHERS, AND BEADS.
THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER FOR SOME REASON, I SAT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF MY LIVINGROOM FLOOR WITH ALL OF MY FRIENDS' SUPPLIES AND I BEGAN TO MAKE A PERFECT DREAM CATCHER. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I SAW THE FINISHED PIECE. IT IS IN HER HONOR THAT I STILL TO THIS DAY MAKE THE NATIVE CRAFTS. SHE NEVER HAD THE OPPERTUNITY TO SHOW ME IN PERSON HOW TO MAKE DREAM CATCHERS BUT IN SPIRIT, SHE KEPT HER PROMISE. THROUGH HER PROMISE A WHOLE NEW WORLD OPENED UP TO ME. I SEARCHED MY HISTORY AND IN 1995, I WAS ACCEPTED INTO A SMALL TRIBE THE WACCAMAW INDIAN PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. I MADE MY NATIVE CRAFTS AND WENT BEFORE THE COUCIL TO BE JUDGED. I WAS GRANTED A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WHICH THEN ALLOWED ME TO SELL MY NATIVE CRAFTS AS NATIVE AMERICAN MADE. IN MAY 2009, I WAS GIVEN ANOTHER CERTIFICATE. A CERTIFICATE AS A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN ARTIST.
UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE TWO THINGS I AM NOT SKILLED WITH. TAKING PICTURES AND TYPING. ONE DAY MAYBE, I WILL MASTER THESE TASK.
MY MOM, EDITH, MAKES NECKLACES, EARRINGS, BRACELETS, SUNCATCHERS, PURSE CHARMS, AND ZIPPER PULLS. SHE PUTS ALOT OF CARE AND EXCITEMENT INTO MAKING HER JEWELRY. I AM SO PROUD OF MY MOM. SHE USES MOSTLY GLASS AND ACRYLIC BEADS WITH HER JEWELRY. SHE ALSO TRIES TO MAKE ONE OF A KIND PIECES.
EVERYDAY I AM SO THANKFUL AND I FEEL SO BLESSED.