Mission Del Rey - Rawhide Lamp Shades, Indian Drums, Rugs | Southwest Decor: January 2008 Archives

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January 29, 2008

Select A Southwest Table Runner For Rustic Style Decorating

A Southwest table runner is an easy way to bring out that one-of-a-kind western, rustic or Native American feel in your home decor. Because of their wide versatility, many home decorators are choosing to buy their southwest table runner online. Used as western accents and also southwestern accessories, in dining rooms or when decorating a cabin or log home with a rustic or western theme, southwestern table runners give your home that rustic appeal and a beautiful authentic Native American look. When purchasing American Indian style table runners, you will find a wide variety making it simple to use a western table runner and you will no doubt want to put a few of the most popular and sought-after runners or table rugs in your home decor. These table runners have a rich history that has changed over time and can truly be appreciated as pieces of art.

Some of the most popular southwestern and western table runners, in Navajo patterns, each type of runner combines a variety of colors and characters, symbolizing spirituality or depictions of historical events and a variation of colors and designs.

Not only is a southwest table runner appreciated for its great beauty, but the skill and hard work involved in making Native table runners is also very impressive. The makers of hand woven table runners work very hard and begin the runner making process by kneeling in front of a vertical wooden-framed loom. The designs are then placed by using a shuttle to weave a variety of colored yarn together, making geometric characters and designs. Initially, Navajo rugs as well as those of some other Southwest Indian tribes were made of hand spun cotton thread. However, after the wool of domestic sheep was introduced to the region by the Spanish settlers, the people mainly used wool to create their colorful rugs, table runners and other traditional weaving.

Today, many of the modern southwest table runners come from areas where Spanish and Native American histories joined together to create beautiful designs. Southwestern table runners, with their rich earth tone colors and unique southwestern designs make them excellent for rustic home decorating. If you are searching for great southwestern decor, you will likely purchase from American companies or directly from Native American weavers. Buying western table runners from Navajo or other American Indian tribes not only gives you the satisfaction of owning a southwest table runner that is made by Indians but also helps to support the Native American heritage of rug making, and the people who themselves sell their rugs, runners, and Native American art.

The table runner you purchase will greatly depend on what your tastes are and what kind of decorating you have in mind. You will find that a southwest table runner is an excellent southwestern accent when combined with rustic or western home decor. Whether you are changing your home decor or decorating a whole home using a southwestern theme, you will find many designs and colors available to choose from. Among these options you will be able to choose from Zapotec runners with no two alike, to southwest table runners with southwestern style. Home decorators love hand woven wool table runners because of the variety of colors and textures. Whatever your style and whatever your decorating needs, you will no doubt enjoy the warmth and color brought to life in your home by decorating with a southwest table runner.

Posted by Mission Del Rey at 01:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

January 26, 2008

Choosing Native American Drums For Unique Rustic Decorating

Native American drums are without a doubt the most recognizable Native instruments among Indian and non Native American people alike. Drums for hundreds of years have always been at the center of American Indian lifestyle, forming what is now the vehicle of religion and spirituality as well as special days where a pow wow drum is at the center.

Indian leaders in North America history have all used drums in various ways to communicate with a higher power known to most as the Great Spirit. To Native people, Indian drums are much more than just decorations or interesting musical instruments. American Indian drums are thought to speak to the drummer. Native drums being made in a circle represent the earth and life. The most identifiable being hoop drums and shaman drums which are Indian hand drums used in many personal healing and religious ceremonies as well as public ceremonies such as a Native American powwow.

The animal skin that is stretched over the ring brings with it unique characteristics of the spirit of the animal and brings a sense of life to the drum when played. Many people think of hitting a drum to make a sound, but to Indian drummers and those involved in modern drumming groups and drum circles, the desire is to draw out the sound. The beating drum is compared to the beating of a human heart and is said to represent the heart beat of the earth which is a belief that is classic Native American. Drums in this way become the vehicle to connect one's spirit with that of the earth and the Great Spirit through out the history of American Indians.

Native American drums have a beautiful culture and because they are so important they are used in not only music but art and dance as well. Decorating a drum becomes a very personal artwork to the owner. The Indian drummer becomes an artist and communicates impressions of his inner feelings and beliefs which adorns his drum. Some American Indian tribes use pictures of animals to decorate their drums and others use geometric patterns and everything in between. In some Native cultures the drummer will place some item of personal value inside the drum to permanently join himself with his hand drum.

The different Native American pictures that the artwork on the drums depict is often painted with natural earth colors taken from nature. Some are dull and others are bright coming from flowers, roots, berries, bark or herbs that are boiled to release their unique earth tones. Other Native American drums are decorated with iron oxide which is a naturally occurring red rock that can be easily crushed. When mixed with water, it produces a rich orange red dye that is much like paint and is indicative if the surrounding hillsides and rock formations like those of the beautiful Arizona red rock canyons. The region of Sedona is thought to be a special place with spiritual energy like the energy created by American Indian drums.

The direction of Native American Education except for those Indian boarding schools that have tried to stamp out Indian has always involved the sharing of beliefs through music, songs, stories and legends. It is in harmony with these methods of learning that the communication and cultural importance has been found in the use of drums. If you are interested in the spiritual aspects of life as pertain to Indian beliefs, you will get a lot out of owning and playing Native American drums.

Posted by Mission Del Rey at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

January 24, 2008

Use Shaman Drums For Beautiful Southwestern Home Decor

Want to give your home authentic southwestern style decor? Try including Shaman drums along with your rustic home furnishings like I did. My love for these unique, American Indian drums began right after my husband and I purchased our new home last year. We knew that because of our love for the old west, we wanted true southwestern and Native American style home decor with original rustic home furnishings. Once that was decided I started filling my new home with unique western and country pieces that would match my southwest decor and entertain my visitors by telling a story at the same time. That is when I discovered how easy it was to give my home that chic southwest style that you see in designer home magazines, by decorating with shaman drums.

Maybe you are like me when I first began learning about the symbolic meaning of Native American drums, and have only a vague idea of what the Shamans drum is. Or, maybe you are wondering how to purchase the best drum to use in your Shaman drum circle. Whatever the case, it is necessary to understand the significance this raw hide drum plays in Native American culture so you can develop a true appreciation for its art and let its power influence you in the right direction.

If you are lucky enough to be part of a Shamanic ceremony you will notice that the Shaman, or spiritual leader, will beat a unique looking raw hide hand drum with a soft drum stick to create the soothing monotonous beat used to take him to an altered mental state. During this altered state of mind, called the Shamanic journey, the Shaman receives healing and spiritual powers he uses to help his people. If you look closely at the Shaman's drum you will see that unlike many other leather Native American drums used during tribal ceremonies, these rustic drums have natural raw hide, stretched over a wooden frame on one side and are laced with raw hide string on the other side. They don't have the loop hold like many other ceremonial drums do. A drum made in this way allows for a natural hand holding position so you can be in full contact with the drum and easily manipulate the sound that is vital in bringing out the right tones needed to lead you on your Shamanic journey.

You will also see that many Shaman drums have symbolic painted designs on the rawhide playing surface. These unique American Indian paintings often depict a map of the universe or symbols of spiritual powers you can use to aid you in your spiritual journeying experience. If you are choosing the drum for Shamanic work, take time to study the symbolic meaning of the painting. Since the southwestern designs have spiritual power that directs the journey, you want to make sure it is in agreement with your own practices and guides you in that direction.

Also, I think its very important to check the quality of the drum before purchasing. It's important to check that there are no thin places at the points where the cords of the drumhead are attached. This is vital to the quality and life of your Shaman drum and will save you money in the long run by not having to have it repaired or buy a new one.

Most of the focus is placed on the drum alone but it's also important to choose the appropriate striking mallet so you can enjoy the rich sound of these native drums to its fullest. You will see that there are many different types of mallets that pull out different sounds from the drum and although I personally like using a mallet with a fur covered head, it is a matter of personal experience. Whether you are looking for Native American musical instruments such as drums as part of your home decor or are using it to lead you in your spiritual journey, you will no doubt be mesmerized by the authentic Native American style and southwest charm brought to your life and home by Shaman drums.

Posted by Mission Del Rey at 09:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)