Post by fernwood on Sept 9, 2017 20:37:31 GMT -5
After the Grandma's started teaching me about Jewelry, they gave me an assignment.
I was handed a pouch with several small bags in it. The motioned for me to open it, as there was no one to translate at the time. One contained two strands of Turquoise. Each strand had a tag on it, written in Navajo. One contained a strand of branch coral and one of coral beads with a tag. One contained a spool of beading thread. One contained metal hardware. One contained two beading needles. Marlene (one of the Grandma's), pointed at me, then her necklace and then gestured beading.
Someone noticed that The Grandma's and I were talking and came over to translate.
The Grandma's wanted me to use the items in the pouch to make a necklace. The necklace needed to look just like Marlene's. She took off her necklace and let me look at it for less than a minute. I had 3 days to make it. If they approved, it meant that I had their blessing to show my students how to make necklaces. I could also keep the remaining supplies.
He also translated the writing. Sleeping Beauty and Kingman Turquoise. "Real" red coral, not dyed.
Needless to say, I was very nervous. I had never done anything like this before. The only jewelry I had made in the past involved tumbled stones, which I attached bails to for pendants. I had also made some beaded jewelry on a loom.
Now, I had to first, figure out the length it should be. Then borrow a needlenose pliers and hemostats.
Long story short, they approved of my work wholeheartedly. Marlene took the necklace and put it around my neck. She also handed the pouch of supplies back to me and made the motions of beading. All the Grandma's were smiling and talking.
I still have many of the Turquoise and Coral supplies. They were very long strands that I cherished. I also appreciated the Grandma's and everything they did for me.
So, here's my necklace.
I was handed a pouch with several small bags in it. The motioned for me to open it, as there was no one to translate at the time. One contained two strands of Turquoise. Each strand had a tag on it, written in Navajo. One contained a strand of branch coral and one of coral beads with a tag. One contained a spool of beading thread. One contained metal hardware. One contained two beading needles. Marlene (one of the Grandma's), pointed at me, then her necklace and then gestured beading.
Someone noticed that The Grandma's and I were talking and came over to translate.
The Grandma's wanted me to use the items in the pouch to make a necklace. The necklace needed to look just like Marlene's. She took off her necklace and let me look at it for less than a minute. I had 3 days to make it. If they approved, it meant that I had their blessing to show my students how to make necklaces. I could also keep the remaining supplies.
He also translated the writing. Sleeping Beauty and Kingman Turquoise. "Real" red coral, not dyed.
Needless to say, I was very nervous. I had never done anything like this before. The only jewelry I had made in the past involved tumbled stones, which I attached bails to for pendants. I had also made some beaded jewelry on a loom.
Now, I had to first, figure out the length it should be. Then borrow a needlenose pliers and hemostats.
Long story short, they approved of my work wholeheartedly. Marlene took the necklace and put it around my neck. She also handed the pouch of supplies back to me and made the motions of beading. All the Grandma's were smiling and talking.
I still have many of the Turquoise and Coral supplies. They were very long strands that I cherished. I also appreciated the Grandma's and everything they did for me.
So, here's my necklace.
I'm happy for you that you still have some left. I'm sure they are reserved some special projects. Hopefully, you will make something for yourself, too, to honor them.
