Tarahumara Indian drums are primitive Native American drums, using goat skin which has unique stretching and sound qualities.  The rawhide drum skins are prepared according to traditional methods that are the closely guarded secrets of the drum makers.  

The hide is stretched and laced onto the traditional bend wood pine frame at just the right tension to create an Indian hoop drum with optimum sound and still allow for residual stretching.  Genuine rawhide goat skin is a natural "live" material with unique drumming qualities.  It moves, expands and contracts with changing temperatures and can be repeatedly tightened with heat.  It has an infinite variety of subtle veining and color tone and it's rich luster becomes more beautiful with age. 

In the hands of a skilled Tarahumara, these Indian drums speak, delivering tones that are subtle and spiritual or pounding with excitement.  Striking the drum in a variety of ways, with varying intensity of sound, Tarahumara shaman drums seem to touch one's inner being. During the pounding enthusiasm of their ceremonies with perhaps 100 drummers, the percussion of hand drums fills the air and beats within the chests of surrounding participants as hearts adjust their rhythm to the drums. 

If you are interested in primitive, Native made natural hide drums, you would appreciate the rich culture of the Native American drums of the Tarahumara Indians.

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We have had a lot of good comments on our dyed brown rawhide lamp shades and have decided to begin stocking them.  We have had dyed rawhide lamp shades available for some time but are now making them available to the public as well as wholesalers.  Along with our southwestern light rawhide shades and our dark western rawhide lampshades, the dyed brown shades will be stocked in all of our regular sizes from chandelier shade size to table lamp and floor lamp sizes. 

The dyed rawhide shades have a uniform medium to dark brown color that is more consistant than our western rawhide.  They are a beautiful rustic shade that produces a unique orange red glow and shows off the grain patterns greated by the hide.

We're in the process of adding the dyed shades to our website now.  In the mean time, just let us know if you would like to have them.  We will also be carrying the dyed lampshades in red and green in lessor quantities.  You will love them. 

Posted by Mission Del Rey at 05:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We have had a lot of good comments on our dyed brown rawhide lamp shades and have decided to begin stocking them.  We have had dyed rawhide lamp shades available for some time but are now making them available to the public as well as wholesalers.  Along with our southwestern light rawhide shades and our dark western rawhide lampshades, the dyed brown shades will be stocked in all of our regular sizes from chandelier shade size to table lamp and floor lamp sizes. 

The dyed rawhide shades have a uniform medium to dark brown color that is more consistant than our western rawhide.  They are a beautiful rustic shade that produces a unique orange red glow and shows off the grain patterns greated by the hide.

We're in the process of adding the dyed shades to our website now.  In the mean time, just let us know if you would like to have them.  We will also be carrying the dyed lampshades in red and green in lessor quantities.  You will love them. 

Posted by Mission Del Rey at 05:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rawhide Lamp Shades for Southwest Decor

Rawhide lamp shades are one of the easiest  ways to upgrade a room for southwest decor.  Rustic rawhide lamp shades make such a dramatic affect that they make it seem like you added much more to the space.  And if you like western lamps or decor, rawhide leather fits naturally into the ranch style. 

For several years we have been offering light bleached rawhide lamp shades for southwest lamps and decor.  About a year ago, we introduced our dark rawhide lamp shades for western lamps and decor.  Both rawhide styles are offered in small chandelier shade size up to large floor lamp size in incements of 2" from 4" to 24". 

Now, this year we are offering rustic dyed rawhide lamp shades in dark brown, green and red rawhide in all of the same popular sizes.  Dyed rawhide shades are perfect for designer and decoration lamp shades for any country ranch log home or cabin as well as lodge decor.  We are also working on two new lines of leather lamp shades in high quality full grain pig skin in beautiful southwestern ranch rust and southwest desert sand.  

Take a look at all of our rawhide leather lamp shades and find the right one for your needs.  http://www.missiondelrey.com     

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Tarahumara Indian Hoop Drums

As you know, Tarahumara Indian hoop drums are beautiful Indian hand drums made in traditional Native American fashion.  Tarahumara drums are perfect for drumming circles, pow wow or southwest decor.

Tarahumara hoop drums have rawhide stretched over a bent wood hoop frame and laced around the edges.  The rawhide drum heads are wet when stretched the tighten as they air dry.  Rawhide Indian drums can also become loose when subjected to high humidity such a thunder storm.  Since there is no drum key or adjustment on Tarahumara drums, the answer is to dry the drum hide to retighten it. 

In the worst case, when Native hoop drums become very loose and wavy, the entire drum can be soaked or wetted with a spray bottle.  Allowed to air dry, the hide will tighten and become smooth again.  If stored in climate controlled invironments, Native American Hoop Drums will normally remain tight untill humidity levels increase.  Using a hair dryer is a quick way to tighten the drum skin or hold the hoop drum in fron of a fire for a few minutes.

Often people will assume incorrectly that a hoop drum is defective or warn out when the loose rawhide is discovered.  But this is a natural part of using natural rawhide Indian drums.

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