The creative process is intuitively guided. By focusing on the feel of each natural material, there is a strong pull to pair certain feathers, antlers, seashells and types of leather with one another.
When collecting material in nature, specific pieces speak to me more than others. Oftentimes I am unsure why until I start creating and learn that it paired perfectly with another piece of natural material I had at home. I only collect material that has good energy. If it does not feel just right, I leave it where it was found. The careful construction, thoughtfulness, and good energy in each collected piece of material used is what gives these fans their own unique feel.
They are created with an open heart and clear mind in a space that is healing, grounding and inspiring, with the intent of passing these properties onto others through these fans.
The lengthiest part of the entire process is hand collecting each item with care. I cannot describe why some rocks and wood sticks speak to me more than others, but they do.
Once collected, each item is washed and dried. To save water, whenever possible the material is washed in a lake, river or from my rainwater catchment.
The material is laid out and paired by their individual look and feel. There is a sense that some items want to be paired together.
Holes are made in the antler and wood handles to carefully support the feathers of each fan. The handles are then paired with feathers that feel best with the texture and color of each handle.
Leather, seashells, and stones are used to embellish each fan, carefully pairing the right size, color and feel together.
The feathers are smudged with gratitude when found and each fan is smudged to purify when completed.
By Sacred Earth Art
Video created by Whitney Stowe