Hi, my name, for those who don’t know, is Eileen, and my Native name is ‘Codi Wolf”. Many years ago I was fooling around trying to find a home-based business. Someone came up to me and asked, with my braids tightly braided, “Are you Native American?” I nervously said, “Yes. Why?” They said, “Do you make Dreamcatchers and Boots?” I said again nervously, “Yes. Why?” They then said, “Well, do you make leather bags?” Again I said nervously, “Yes. Why?”
You ask why was I nervous to answer these questions? Well Native Americans aren’t thought of very nicely. We are shunned, spit at, rocks thrown at us, and shot in way too many cases just because we either have too long of hair (for men and women), or some of us have darker skin, sometimes a dark red or dark brown. It is frightening to grow up wondering at every moment whether you will be hated, or loved. You know I even lost a job, good paying one too, because I said I was Cherokee. :(
Well, this one man wanted me to make him a leather bag for when he went hunting. I said, “Ok. What size would you like it to be?” Now if you know a hunter, or ARE a hunter, you will identify with his answer. He said, “About the size of a six-pack with a long strap.” Laughingly I stated, “You know you can’t take beer hunting. Right?” He said, and I quote, “Oh no, no. I won’t be taking beer. It’s for soda.” But that tiny wink told me different. ;)
So I made a leather bag the size big enough to sit a six pack of whatever in it. And that was the beginning of this adventure for me.
Here is an example of one style of hand-made Knife Sheaths. As you can see the sides are sewn together using sinew. Also it is one piece of leather. It has a loop on the back to use to hang on your belt. It can be made Left-handed or Right-handed. Large or small.
This is an Arrow Quiver. It is called the ‘Plains Indian Quiver”. We make other styles as well. There is a chunk of wood at the bottom fashioned in such a way as to keep the arrow heads, either practice or broad-head, from piercing the bottom. Also the straps are in two or three strips so as to be replaced easily, if need be, due to wear and tear. Also they can be adjusted to be longer or shorter.
Well, that started my business (in my basement, I might add). Now, we make Moccasins: Knee-Hi Boots, Ankle-Hi Boots, and Loafer style. Vests, Possibility Bags, Eye Glass Sleeves, Medicine Bags (worn around the neck or waist), Knife Sheaths, Arrow Quivers, etc are hand made in the primitive style. Almost anything you dream up, in leather. Foraging Bags, Carry-all Bags, Chaps, etc can be made. Now, with that all being said, everything is made to look ‘vintage’, primitive, and hand-made.
As far as Dreamcatchers, many, many different styles such as: Dreamcatcher: Double Dreamcatcher, (with one dreamcatcher inside another dreamcatcher), dreamcatchers (with leather, metallic thread, sinew, yarn, jute, etc., for the webbing), deer antler, 2” to 16” straightforward dreamcatchers (like almost everyone already knows), 3 tiered, Suncatchers, Painted Dreamcatchers, and more are also available upon order. They are adorned with all types of feathers, Peacock, Pheasant, Ostrich, Chicken, Duck, and/or Goose. And they get adorned with clay pieces, beads (of all sizes and types such as plastic, glass, paper, and/or wood), hair-pipes, Conchos, Porcupine quills, sometimes even gem-stones wired on. Sometimes an interesting Pendant, pin or broach could be include. Most of the dreamcatcher hoops are brass wrapped with leather of any color or grade you can think of, even your school colors, or favorite football team And some are wrapped in jute, yarn, cloth, and threads of all sorts. Some of the dreamcatcher hoops are Embroidery Hoops made of wood, and leather or cloth that gets pinched in between the two hoops and secured tightly. Some of the hoops are made from Willow Branches or Grapevines.
We also make Medicine Shields. These are good luck totems. They are made to protect the owner, or attract good energies to achieve: fame, fortune, prosperity, good health, and more. Some of these are completely done as pictures made with cuts of leather glued on to a background,quills or painted.
We also have wood-working things; Walking Sticks, Canes, Curtain rod hangers, Rustic shelving, small Tables, rustic cabinets, etc.
Email me if you are interested in anything that is on my page (Running Wolf Trading Post) , or Website (https://runningwolftradingpost), or anything you don’t see and wonder if we could make:
Also Email Request for Catalog (also hand-made) to:
Email: [email protected]
