Indian Crafts and Skills: An Illustrated Guide for Making Authentic Indian Clothing, Shelters, and Ornaments [Hardcover]

David Montgomery (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003

Indian Crafts and Skills provides an excellent study of Indian work, both practical and artistic. The book not only describes the skills Indians have developed but gives specific instructins for creating many kinds of Indian handiwork yourself. The author, a skilled artist and craftsman, explains the various types of shelters and tools used by the Indians, as well as the weapons made for warfare or hunting. Trapping and tracking are vividly described, complete with diagrams for help in identifying most every kind of wild animal track. Step-by-step, you can learn brain tanning, the process of tanning leather that gives the most beautiful results, then learn how to make authentic Indian clothing - from elaborate war-bonnets to several varieties of moccasins. Concise, easy-to-read instructions will tell you all you need to know about creating Indian fashions. Discover the basics of the Indian "kitchen," including utensils and cookery, as well as the many foods comon to the Indian diet: meats and nuts, fruits and vegetables found in their wild surroundings; everything from buffalo to grasshoppers. Even drinks and seasonings used in daily food preparation, and many plants useful for food and medicine, are illustrated. Dogs, horses, and boats are cited as the main means of Indian transportation, and instructions for building saddles, travoises, and canoes are provided for the ambitious enthusiast of Indian skills. The book is full of illustrations depicting these items, as well as the pouchesscabbards, and cases used by the Indians to carry important personal items, much like their modern-day counterparts of purses, wallets, suitcases, and baby carriers. These, too, can be made by the modern outdoorsman in the authentic and distinctive style of the Indian peoples. Not only will you discover the practical aspects of Indian livelihood, but also their methods of adornment and amusement. The beauty and artistry of Indian jewelry, especially their skillful geometric beadwork, comes to life in the colorful description of the art of jewelry-making, an art you can begin learning through careful study of the chapter devoted to it. Another chapter takes a look at a variety of Indian games and musical instruments skillfully created for pure enjoyment. The author provides a complete list of reference books and supply sources to help in re-creating the magic and mystery of Indian handiwork. Indian Crafts and Skills is an authentic and exciting book for people who wish to share in the heritage of skill and artistry of a wide variety of Indian tribes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Montgomery is a man dedicated to enjoying the arts, skills and experiences of america's mountain man and the American Indian. He has made almost every item depicted in this book, demonstrated his skills to interested groups on many occasions, and taught courses in tanning, trapping, scrimshaw and other mountain-man and native American crafts. Dave was born in Tucson, Arizona, and grew up in Prescott, Arizona, an area where he was able to roam the mountains and fully enjoy his love for the great outdoors. After attending the College of Southern Utah for a half year, he spent two and one-half years serving as a missionary for his church in Switzerland. He then entered the Army, and was stationed for four years in Berlin, functioning as a linguist. Then he returned to the U.S. and completed a B.A. degree in Art Education at Southern Utah State College. While teaching high school art courses, he completed an M.A. in the same field from the University of Utah in 1976. He is a professional teacher and artist of considerable skill, as evidenced by the illustrations in this book and the book he previously published: Mountainman Crafts and Skills. His first book has enjoyed great success and established him as a writer well-versed in skills of the frontier and backwoods. Indian Crafts and Skills continues his work in the art-oriented style of his previous writing. He, with his wife Lynn and their six children, have been active participants in the amateur mountain-man activities held throughout the West. He has been president of the High Uinta Mountain Men. He also holds membership in the American Rifle Association and the National Muzzle Loaders Rifle Association.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 215 pages
• Publisher: Horizon Publishers & Distributors; Fourth Printing edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882902741
• ISBN-13: 978-0882902746
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,062,222 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Can't judge a book by its cover, September 3, 2007

By 

Brian J. Perkins "Shawnee 1756" (Killbucks town) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Indian Crafts and Skills: An Illustrated Guide for Making Authentic Indian Clothing, Shelters, and Ornaments (Hardcover)

Do not be misled by the wonderful pictures on the front and back of the book. Inside is nothing but disappointments and a waste of time. David Montgomery may be a gifted crafter, but in no way is he capable of writing or illustrating a book. His illustrations are small, crude line drawings with no measurements or information to speak of. Before wasting money on this sub-par Cub Scout manual, I strongly suggest these better illustrated and information rich books. Complete How-To Book of Indian craft: 68 Projects for Authentic Indian Articles by W. Ben Hunt, or Indian Handcrafts by C. Keith Wilbur. Both contain measurements, step by step directions and more cultural information.