'Black Bear' Spirit Catcher

Spirit of the Black Bear is a uniquely handcrafted creation that embodies the quality and fine craftmanship of Nancy’s high-quality beadwork in her unique weave that she created and designed into her artistry she calls Spirit Catchers.

The process begins with Albano, Nancy’s husband, conscientiously drawing, shaping, and welding the bear, setting a high standard for the entire project to carry forward for the Spirit of the Black Bear.

Upon the completion of Albano’s fine work, Nancy will begin carefully wrapping the black bear with strips of precut black suede covering the entire bear, which will take about one hour to complete.

Once the Spirit of the Black Bear is wrapped, Nancy will carefully choose all the materials required. In this Black Bear, I have chosen several different sizes of black beads. I also incorporated clear beads with AB finish representing the shooting stars, and more importantly, the four directions’ coloured beads: red, white, yellow and black that represent the medicine wheel and the requirement to be balanced in all aspects of our lives, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The medicine wheel is woven into the feet of the bear to remind us that we must look after our earth by creating new and sustainable ways to live with all creation that is equally deserving of a healthy environment to thrive in.

I can now begin the weaving process, starting with the small areas first, as it is very meticulous fine beadwork that takes time to craft.

Upon completing the weaving process of the entire bear, we are not complete without writing the story and the real purpose behind the original creation of the Spirit of the Black Bear.

One summer in the Lower mainland of Vancouver, BC, Canada, the media almost daily would report on many bears being shot due to reports of “the bear is in my yard” forgetting that they are living in a forested area once thriving with wildlife living in a perfect biosphere of nature.

Eventually, humanity encroached upon their home, cutting down trees hundreds of years old, making way for more housing for humanity, not studying the impact that it would have on wildlife that freely roamed the forest for millennia.

We are all one, and we all need to respect the entire Mother Earth and her ecosystem for all creation to thrive equally.

Spirit of the Black Bear is a 22”x14” handmade dreamcatcher with high-quality workmanship using a handcrafted metal frame, genuine suede, Sinew, glass beads, and an abalone shell.