I’ve seen a few dream catchers in my life, but I think most of them were for decorative purposes. And honestly, I had not given more thought or research into why they were called that. But lately, as I got more interested in the culture and origins of crafts around the world, dream catchers aroused new curiosity in me.

Simply put, the dream catcher is an object that is originated from an American Indian tribe that symbolizes the capturing of dreams. The net of a dream catcher catches both good and bad dreams and filters them, so only good ones trickle down along the feathers to the sleeper below. The traditional hoop where the “spider net’ is structured within is circular in shape because a circle is a shape that symbolizes the cycle of life. The beads are either thought to be a symbol of a spider or the good dreams that didn’t trickle down completely but instead crystalized on its way. You can read about it in more detail at the link here.

As I gathered materials, I knew I wanted the materials to be natural. But I was holding onto the notion for them to be perhaps little too precious. Then I wanted it to be more playful. What if I’m making this with Mathias? I really wouldn’t want to be fidgeting with the tiny semi-precious beads and hammered metal loop… I wanted the more accessible, softer material. If the final result is turned out to be somewhat temporal and loose, maybe that’s better.

MATERIALS 
– flexible wooden branch 
– acorns
– string
– leaves

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEP 1
Bend the branch in a circle and tie the ends with string to make a loop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEP 2
With the string, go around within the loop and create hexagon, tying a knot at each vertices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEP 3
With the string, go around within the hexagon tying a knot at the center of each sides. After you went the full cycle within the hexagon, you can keep go on tying knots at center of extra sides that are created (until the inner polygon is too small to continue or at your choice to stop).

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEP 4
Tie acorns and leaves on strings and tie the assemblies on to the loop.
Make a little hook at the top of loop with a string.