Native Wisdom Beauty Products

Story and Photography by Marilyn Angel Wynn

Generally I don't endorse products, especially on my blog. Except for now, I'll make an exception and mention Native Wisdom Beauty. I'm using some of their products and have been delighted to see real results.

Last fall I was in Denver for a family reunion. Through Facebook, I connected with FB friend Jennifer Wolf, a Ponca tribal member and Herbal Research Chemist. At that time my company, Native Stock Pictures, was interested in photographing Native American business owners. She volunteered as her profession was a research chemist who had been employed with the FDA (Food & Drug Administration). She also owned a small home-based business with a line of beauty products.

After we wrapped up our photo shoot, Jennifer gave me a few samples of her skincare products. She placed inside my camera bag a nice sized tin of Honeysuckle Body Butter and a bottle of her Blueberry Body Wash. It wasn't until I flew back home, unpacked when I began using her gifts daily. A few weeks later, I realized how my dry skin was improving. Scented with lovely flowery fragrances, I craved healthy living each time I used the delicious smelling cream or soap.

Jennifer's story is a familiar one today. Even though she had a prestigious career with the FDA, Jennifer dreamed to be a 'stay at home' mom. To financially help with the transition, Jennifer teamed up with her sisters to create Native Wisdom products. "As Native Americans, it was important to us to look to Mother Earth for answers on how to create natural products safe enough for a baby, but exquisite enough for the whole family" explained Wolf. All three sisters agreed to only use the finest potions used by indigenous cultures around the world.

Native Wisdom skincare products are all formulated with ingredients such as acai and blueberry extract, shea butter with honey and chamomile. Basically, anything that is good enough to eat! Native Wisdom Beauty combines traditional indigenous herbalogy with the latest in break-through technology to create sumptuous products. Did I mention my own itchy dry crepe skin? It's starting to take on the look of it's plump youthful self again. After summer, my feet resemble #1 sandpaper and feel like that of a bristle pad. When I started to rub them with Native Wisdom's non-greasy body butter each night I was surprised at the outcome.

You are probably as skeptical as I would be reading this. It's just that these results are for real. The products work. BTW, except for the first gift samples during our photo shoot, I've not received any endorsements what-so-ever! I just think that a wonderful natural product should be shared with other consumers. Another plus is that a portion of online sales benefit the American Indian College Fund.

I'd be interested to know if any of you are already using these fabulous skincare products. Or if you start using any of the lotions or soaps by Native Wisdom then fill me in on your results. I know that I'll be ordering more from Native Wisdom soon.

Origins of Native American Beadwork

Before contact with European civilization, Native Americans were making beautiful objects decorated with natural materials obtained from their own area or through trade. Trade routes crossed the Americas and extended to the Caribbean Islands, giving access to a variety of material: shell, metals, semi-precious stones, bone, ivory, porcupine quills and feathers, to name some of the most common trade items. Beads, painstakingly made from bone and shell, had many uses including breastplates and wampum.

The arrival of explorers and traders from Europe changed the materials Native Americans used, as well as influencing traditional patterns. The Spanish, English, Dutch and French offered glass beads as gifts and used as currency in trade. Native Americans quickly adopted the new material, incorporating glass beads into traditional patterns. Although the first traders offered the finest beads they could get, including amber, glass and faceted chevron beads, soon the Native Americans were asking for beads in specific materials, colors and shapes.

Most of these early beads came from the glass factories of Murano near Venice Italy and a few came from France and the Netherlands. Venetian beads had softer colors than the brighter glass beads made in Bohemia (Czech Republic) that were introduced to the American Indians in the 19th Century. Both the new colors and the more uniform size of the Czech beads appealed to Native American beaders. This resulted in a decline in the use of Venetian beads.

Because the dominant European culture and religion discouraged traditional practices and beliefs, Native Americans began to incorporate traditional concepts into their beadwork. For example, Arctic tribes transformed tattoo patterns into elaborately beaded parkas; Northeast tribes replicated their wampum designs; across the Great Plains certain colors and patterns came to have significant meanings.

As glass beads spread across North America, each tribe used them to express their own patterns and traditions. Today, bead artists borrow beading techniques and patterns from each other. Many create new beadwork patterns based on tribal culture and traditions. Many examples of old style beadwork can be found in museums. While many contemporary designs can be found on ceremonial regalia adorned on traditional dancers attending pow wows today.

Photography by: Marilyn Angel Wynn/Nativestock.com

Wanted: Native Models, Arizona

Photographer in Arizona hiring Native Americans to model for various photo shoots.

Photos of traditional and contemporary models previously hired by Nativestock Pictures

For the winter season I'm moving the Nativestock Pictures office and studio to Arizona. In the next few months (January, February and March) I'll be hiring Native American models. There's no experience neccesary. If you are interested then kindly contact Angel Wynn by sending a comment with this blog or you can email her directly at angel@nativestock.com. A current photo of model is appreciated.

Here is a list of some of the scenarios being planned so far:

• Ages 19-29, slender or athletic and outgoing: Eagle Dancer, Hoop Dancer, Man and Woman as Couple, Native Flute Player
• Family of Four: Mother, Father, sister, brother (children ages 6 thru 13)
• Pottery maker from molding clay, firing and painting.
• Traditional Storyteller (elder preferred) in coyote cape or similar outfit, rattle or drum with small group of 2-4 children
• Any large wind powered turbines with one parent and child or grandparent and child
• Historic Native re-enactors on horseback
• Other suggestions will be appreciated
  

More Model Photos from Previous Shoots:

All photos by ©Nativestock.com/Marilyn Angel Wynn

First Thanksgiving in the New World

First Thanksgiving In The New World

The Pilgrims were not in good shape. Nearly half died their first brutal winter. They were without survival skills, lived in dirt covered shelters and there was a shortage of food. They needed help.

The Powhatan Indians brought food to the Pilgrims of Jamestown Colony, located in today's state of Virginia. The indigenous people taught the newcomer's how to hunt, farm the land and shared their ancestral knowledge of medicinal plants. They were also taught to preserve berries, teas and other foods to help them through the cold winter months.

Harvest was a time of sharing. Together, the Wampanoag Indians and the English Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony (what we now know as Plymouth Massachusetts) celebrated the year's bountiful harvest with a feast. Today Americans continue to give thanks through a day of feasting with family and friends.

The First Thanksgiving in the New World.

photos by: ©Marilyn Angel Wynn/Nativestock.com

Home Decorating with Native American Style

Photography by: ©Marilyn Angel Wynn/Nativestock.com

Do you like earth tone colors and Native American style products? Are you considering decorating your home with these items and patterns? Or is your home decor already there? Using Native American Style decor is a great way to help add a sense of peace and harmony to your home while also helping to keep the Native American culture alive. It will transform your house into a sanctuary where you can feel relaxed and at peace. Some of the Native American décor items are simply stunning and can’t be matched by anything else. Most of these designs use the basic colors red, brown, black, green and yellow for the items made.

Many Native American cultures and tribes sell their hand crafted items to make money for the reservation and to help share their culture with the rest of the world. For many, this is the only way to keep their traditions and hand-created artisan items alive in today’s society. Collectable items that truly identify with a specific tribe are Navajo rugs, Northwest cedar carvings and Santa Clara pottery.

From taking many trips throughout Indian Country, I've accumulated hundreds of one-of-a-kind American Indian objects from artifacts to contemporary artwork. Finding places to display the items is my biggest challenge. Keeping clutter down is key to any decorating style. Use enclosed shelf units with glass front doors and hang artifacts on interior walls. This will help with storage and add to the charm of Native culture in your home. Many of my beadwork pieces that are large are placed inside shadow box frames and displayed on walls.

Bold ethnic patterns for sofas and drapes can become too busy. After living with them for awhile can become tiring with too many busy designs. Living room furniture looks best if covered in leather. Instead of drapes windows are covered with woven reed blinds or wood shades. Fabric with tribal designs should be used as accent items such as throw pillows, bedding, place mats, candles and towels. One of my favorite items to decorate with are Pendleton blankets draped over a leather chair or used as a bedspread.

You can find great Native American themed décor items at cultural centers, Native American art shows, directly through artists and even on ebay. Visiting the online gallery at Nativestock Pictures, you can find photographic wall art that represents a little of the mystery found in Native American culture. Simple items can make a big difference in any room.

Framed photographic prints and canvas giclees of well known artwork help fill up large wall space. Frames look best if a victorian style wood or rustic antique frame is used to display the artwork. Antique sepia prints, colorful photographs or litho prints of days gone past can put you in a trance while looking at them. Remember, artwork should resonate and move you personally.

There are many sculptures available that can simply take your breath away when you see them. These are great pieces of art that details everything so perfectly. Bronze sculptures not only look beautiful but they will have a meaningful story that is part of the design. I prefer statues of warriors on horses or wooden carvings of busts to add character to a room. In a corner of my dining there's a full length warbonnet made with imitation eagle feathers displayed on a stand.

Learning about Native American style décor is just as exciting as redecorating your home a few fine pieces. The items all have a special meaning that has an interesting story to tell. This makes this type of décor even more stimulating. You can enjoy sharing the history, story and culture behind each of your Native American pieces with visitors that come to your home. My home? I call it "19th Century Trading Post".

• Indian arts of basketry, pottery, blanket weaving, rug making for collecting
• Drums, sculpture, dream catchers, masks and rattles add mystery
• Indian and Kachina dolls, beadwork, blankets, jewelry and clothing add a woman's touch
• Buffalo skulls, bones, and longhorns bleached by the desert sun
• Animal hides, stone carvings, arrowheads, bow and arrows for the male

Photography by: ©Marilyn Angel Wynn/Nativestock.com