Shaman’s Heron Petroglyph by Mary Beth
This necklace is constructed from 1/10 size seed beads.
Long before people developed written language, they learned how to communicate or record information through pictures. In North America, prehistoric cultures have left pictorial records of their passing. Among the most notable are the Algonkian pictographs and petroglyphs. They are the antecedents of the Cree, Ojibwa and Mississauga clans. There is a very large site of petroglyphs north of Mary Beth’s home. These are Sacred Rocks now protected by a environmentally controlled building. It is told that Shamans would go on Spiritual quests and leave these markings in their passing. The Great Mystery is that the information carved upon these rocks creates more questions than answers This particular wall hanging reflects but a small segment of the Great Rock. It is a carving of the Crane. The Crane (or Blue Heron) is a common bird in the area. The sweep of the Great Blue Heron in flight and the grace of its long neck while searching for frogs reflects the splendor of the landscape of the Canadian Shield and its sparkling pristine lakes. The Crane is also a well known spiritual representative for several native clans.
This wall hanging is woven using lustrous iris blue ,silver, black, transparent iris blue, red, crystal lined red, yellow, crystal line clear, brown, crystal lined brown green, crystal lined green, crystal lined purple, orange, crystal lined orange and white seed beads. It measures 10 1/2 inches wide by 17 1/2 inches long (fringe included). It is created using well over 24,585 - 1/10 size seed beads (not including fringe and top loops). It is signed by the artist; she always weaves 3 silver seed beads into her work. Each of Mary Beth’s hangings is one of a kind and will never to be duplicated by the artist.