I am hoping to get some wampum carving done this year...last year I was just to busy. It takes hours to make one piece, but like beading it is something I Love to do.
Wampum comes from the Quahog shell and has been used for recording agreements and treaties, as well as adornment. The idea that wampum was a currency only happened after the 'settlers' arrived and thought that a gift was meant as a payment for purchase. It was a clash of cultures and understandings, to say the least.
I first cut out shapes...
Then drill any holes, before I do more work on a piece. Wampum is very brittle, and can shatter easily. One of the hardest things I do is adding the holes in the feather quills...I get about 50% drilled without the quill breaking :)
Once I get any holes drilled, I begin adding detail. This takes many hours, because wampum is also very hard, and if it is worked too fast it can crack. It always needs to be worked in water to keep the heat down as well as the dust, which is toxic if inhaled. It can cut up the insides of the lungs because there is so much silica in the shells.
I do not make beads. One needs lapidary tools for that and I do my work by hand.
Then polish, polish, polish...
...and add bails if needed...
Fingers crossed I can make time this winter :)
