Huron Bags - hand made by Native American artist - HOME OF THE 2020 SPIRIT DANCERS

Huron Bag Lady Margaret Clark-Price

My new "Spirit Dancers" are a minimum of 12" tall!

Many have asked how I create them....

I begin with air-dry clay and, after 24 hours of drying time, I use an Exacto Knife point, a dental pick and a carpet needle to fashion the facial features. I truly have no plan, no design, no pattern, and no blueprint. Each "Dancer" leads me along the path to choose paint colors, fabrics, drawings, etc.

(Each Dancer requires a minimum of 5 days to create.)

Truly, the Spirit leads my mind and my hands.

I feel an incredible sense of honor and responsibility when I complete each one!

If interested in a personalized commissioned piece, be it a Medicine Bag, Spirit Dancer, etc. please email me at mcphuron@cox.net.

“Bear Medicine for Peace Spirit Dancer” (#14 Spirit Dancer) The Medicine Wheel (also referred to as the Sacred Hoop) in Native America has been utilized by numerous tribes as a healing tool for sickness, balance & harmony & a
means to bring about peace among all people. Each of the Four Directions (East, South, West, and North) is represented by a color such as black, red,
yellow, and white. Interestingly, for some tribes, the colors stand for the human races. The Directions can also symbolize: Stages of life: birth, youth, adult (or elder), death. Seasons of the year: spring, summer, winter, fall.

Aspects of life: spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical. Elements of nature: fire (or sun), air, water, and earth Animals: Eagle, Bear, Wolf, Buffalo and many others. Ceremonial plants: tobacco, sweet grass, sage, cedar

“Cleanser of The Earth” .... The mythical “Thunderbird” in Native America is considered to have great powers for extinguishing evil.... Thunder is the sound of the flapping wings and lightning is the
glint in the bird’s eye ... rather like a warning that a Cleansing of the Earth is forthcoming. Oh that an immediate cleansing would happen! ...... I painted a different “symbolism” of Thunderbird
with a bolt of lightning on the white buckskin shirt and on the leggings. On the Dancer’s left staff is a bolt of lightning I fashioned from a thin sheet of aluminum.... and another bolt of lightning
on the base. The face paint symbolizes angry grey clouds with lightning bolts emanating therefrom. His braids (thrown over his shoulders) are not showing because I did not want to cover the shirt
painting. Said braids are tied off with 2 silver arrowheads, symbolizing the Thunderbird’s Warrior spirit in eradicating evil. This Dancer appears to be upset and “on guard!” This one took a lot of
my energy this time!

This
has been an extremely loooong and extra-hot and dry summer.... the end is on the horizon! In the meantime, perhaps “Conjuring Rain” can join forces with our feathered friends (left staff) and send
supplications for numerous raindrops! (Left staff). Her beaded adornments symbolize the glistening rain as symbolized in the painting on her buckskin shirt (rain clouds, lightning and rain) The brown
stand represents the brown earth awaiting the “greening from the much-needed rain” needed everywhere!

“Native Guardian” ..... For my White Earth Chippewa cousin living in Idaho who was given the name “Wolf Protector of The People.” I would never disrespect his tribal name by using it on this Spirit Dancer.....a slight altercation instead ...
I painted the wolf on the rawhide shirt rather than use his name in the title. The 2 round discs on the left staff symbolize the logos of his two tribes, Sioux and Chippewa. The feathers on the right staff symbolize our feathered Messengers to the Creator, carrying supplications on our behalf.
The Dancer stands amid rocks on the base to symbolize his grounded commitment to his people. I felt so honored to create this for him ... especially knowing about the hundreds of people from many tribes whom he has helped to get enrolled in their tribes!!

“Native Enchantment!”

Shades of lavender.... beaded hemline, beautiful amethyst necklace with a tiny Dream Catcher ... beaded belt ... agate bear on top of her left staff. Right staff hosts glass beads .... she is
magical!

“Creation” seemed lonely so, it was only right that I gave him company - thus “Creation 2”.....

There is so much detail... a necklace with white quartz & orchid amethyst stones with a turtle (again, Huron/Wyandot legend of Creation )... silver beads on her braid ribbons, silver “jingles” on
her belt, her dress matches His shawl, her cloak matches His shirt. Her staff has beautiful feathers & she holds the promise of newness via the buds on the branches in her right hand. On her base
is yet another turtle on the “world”....... notice the face paint tying them together!.....

(I
may have neglected to explain his base...

it
reminded me of the ocean and the floor below from where the turtle arose with humanity on its back! The seashells on the sand - and his seashell necklace - symbolize the gifts from the blue
depths.)..... As I worked on her, I felt it only right that he was on the art table directing my hand. They both guided me and I could almost feel their growing bond as I worked for the past 3
days!

I am trying my best to avoid this ugly world by staying at my art table until the wee hours of each morning! 3 am last night! I just completed “Creation” Spirit Dancer .....

Based upon the Huron Creation Story wherein all of creation was brought upon the back of the turtle from the oceans to land.

There is a turtle on the sand-filled base and painted on the face of the Dancer. In addition, the Hope within Creation is symbolized by the bird in the Branch.

Just completed “Orion’s Belt” ..... The Ojibwa (Chippewa) People call this
constellation “Kabibona'kan,” the Winter Maker, as its presence in the night sky heralds winter. In December of 2011, Orion seemed to appear in the Eastern Sky
after I returned home from NY where Stafford’s last words to me were: “It’s alright Mom. Now I just need to take a nap.” I search for Orion’s Belt every
Winter and sure enough, there are the 3 Kings (some say sisters) shining as brightly as Stafford’s smile! .... I envision my 3 Kings (my sons) looking over me .

Surely this “Spirit Dancer” is gliding through space and time around the 3 Kings with
everlasting gifts of love and light! (The winged creatures carry all supplications, thus, 3 birds for my sons.)

The "Golden Harvest" is on the horizon! This Spirit Dancer will aid in healthy crops! She is holding a “cornstalk basket” filled with Indian corn and pine cones. The Paiute Indians in Nevada host the pine nut festival each year! Pine nuts and corn are “staples” in tribal communities.

"Red Sun" is only about 7” tall but she is a giant with her message.... even her expression is sad.... In her right hand is a small painting I did and I was a bit surprised to see that the sun appears to be ominous. There are two gorgeous beads on her white-rope-wrapped Staff ... two orbs in space? None of this was planned.... it just “happened!”

Wow and Wow!! This is “Bear Spirit Dancer” .... I felt so many emotions while creating her! This was truly a 4-day “affair of the spirits”!!!!

This "Man in the Maze" Spirit Dancer is my 2nd commissioned piece and I dare say, I have spent about 6 days creating, redoing, refashioning, and "finally getting it!" The Dancer is 12" tall, not counting the branches and stand.

"Bird Song Spirit Dancer" 12” tall ...

First Commissioned Piece

My first “clay mask”... notice painted bird symbols on skirt.

Bird necklace, forehead bird, bird fetishes on rawhide strips and on mask.

Way too much fun!!

"Freedom" Spirit Dancer --- ($200 plus shipping)

I cannot sing or play musical instruments. I only have one small voice to contribute! However, I have been blessed with a bit of creativity which I have used to enhance my words! “Freedom Spirit Dancer” .... (4 days of work! Whew!) Look closely at the words in the rolled parchment on top of the pole in her right hand! .....May she dance her prayer and twirl throughout the Universe in order to preserve Our Great Country!

These are my Huron/Wyandot depictions of the Dancing Spirits sending supplications to the Creator on our behalf.

May the spirits surround you - bestowing peace and harmony!!!

Questions or ordering, email

Bear Spirit Dancer - Honoring the Power and Strength of the Bear (My 6th Spirit Dancer) $65

My 5th Spirit Dancer --- $65 + $7 shipping SOLD

"Star Dancer" . Beautiful gold thread fabrics - siver disc covered with beautiful lace .. Imagine yourself dancing among and for our celestial and sparkling night twinklers!! (Earrings included) .... $65 plus $7 priority mailing)

"Dawn Dancer" .. I worked on this piece for 3 days & the entire time, I heard the soft drumming of the dawn drums! (Hide covered disc for backing) $45 + $7 priority mailing

"Moon Dancer" on a beautiful abalone shell. $45 +$7 Priority Mailing

"Starlight Dancer" . .Native attire w/turq double necklace & belt w/stars . .Ceremonial face paint . .Brown braid . .Glittery shawl . .Silver earrings w/hanging turq/silver in a "cage ". .($45 plus $7 priority mailing.)