American Indian Flat Dance Fan Construction  (Page 10)

shown in Figure 32. As beads are put on, each time around the handle adds 1/3 of the total number of beads around. Three times around adds a complete row of units. Continue in this manner as you add successive rows, going through the first bead of the row a second time as you begin the next one.

As the beadwork moves up the handle to the tapered area, the beads will tend to spread further and further apart. Beads must be added to fill in this extra area and this technique is shown in Figures 33 thru 35. Extra beads are actually added one at a time, by first placing 2 beads where one would normally go, and so on, but the idea is to add a complete unit on each side in order for the design to remain balanced, and three passes around the handle are required to add a complete unit.

One of the tricks to expanding the work is add these units in the background color of the work rather than in the design area. This is not always possible, but it can often be done. It is also helpful to add beads on the sides of the work; thus making them almost inconspicuous from the front or back of the fan.

While it is extremely important to select uniformly sized beads in order to produce fine quality gourd stitch, “thicker” or “thinner” shaped beads can be used to advantage when adding units. As the handle begins to taper outward, the beads tend to spread apart as you progress up the handle. This can be overcome to a degree by using slightly “fat” beads in some places, normally on the sides of the work where they are not so obvious. Then, when there is enough space to allow two beads to fit into the place of one (often just above one of these fat beads), thinner beads can be selected

so as to fit in a little easier, thus making for neater work with fewer “holes” and a more even appearance.

Decorative Ideas

I highly recommend that you study photos, books, magazine articles and museum pieces for ideas on beadwork designs and colors. You will also find many ideas for handle shapes, trim feathers and all sorts of little “extra decorative touches” and fancy feather work that individual craftsmen use when making fans.

Acknowledgments

The methods described here have been developed over many years of experience and with the advice and help of several highly experienced fan makers, including Ben Stone, John Panther, Joe Rush, James Chasenah, Dick Past and Tyrone Stewart. Many varied techniques are used by other craftsmen, and as you proceed, you may well develop a few tricks of your own.

References

Hamm, Jim. Bows & Arrows of the Native Americans, Bois d’Arc press, Goldthwaite, Tx., 1989. Past, Richard. Personal conversations, 1967-1968.

Stewart, Ty. Modern Flat Fans. American Indian Crafts & Culture, Tulsa, Ok., 4:4, p. 3, November 1970.

Stone, Ben. Personal conversations and instructions, 1970-1974.