Witch "Crafts"
 
 

Dreamcatcher
by Moon's Daughter

Here are the instructions for the dreamcatcher as I was taught on the Six-Nations Reserve here in Southern Ontario.

DreamCatcher Materials :
Brass(metal) Ring
Any lacing, or ribbon
waxed linen thread
any small beads 
any feathers

Instructions:
Wrap lacing or ribbon around the ring to cover completely, and tie off, leaving a long enough piece to use as a hanger. Take a piece of waxed linen thread, and tie it near the top of  the ring, next to the hanger.  Loop the thread and tie off, to  make seven points around the outside of the ring, keeping  thread taut, and ending off where you started.   From this point, loop the thread through the threads, around  and around the circle of the ring, making a spiderweb pattern...   Small, clear, or irridescent beads may be added to give the   appearance of dew-drops...  On reaching the center of the ring, where you can go no  further, tie off the thread. At this point, there are two choices for the finished peice #1 string 4 beads on a feather, and tie the feather to the   center of the dreamcatcher or... #2 cut 3 or 4 strips of lacing of equal length, make a small slit  in one end of each, and place evenly along the bottom side of piece by looping through the ring, and threading end through slit, then pulling tightly.   String 4 beads on end of each piece  of hanging lacing, tie a knot in the end of the lacing, and slide a feather shaft into the beads (glue may be used sparingly to ensure it holds)

*notes: 
willow wand can be used in place of metal ring, but should not be  wrapped -  should be long enough to make a circle of at least 3-4 inches in diameter, may be as large as you feel comfortable with
metal ring - min 3-4 inches in diameter, as above
lacing - leather is prefered, natural colour for traditional, but any colour that you like is fine 
beads - size should be proportionate to the size of the ring colours - traditional colours are blue, red, white, and black   or brown, and alternated, but any are acceptable 
feathers - length of feathers should be no more than the diameter of the ring
colours - natural colours for a more traditional look, but any are acceptable
 

I've seen lots of different ways to make dreamcatchers posted here, and they are really  not much different from the way I do mine, but I truly love the look of these ones. (I use  the 4 hanging feathers)  I hope you do too  :)

Blessings 
Moon's Daughter