Mussels on the Beach Octopus Bag
EXHIBITION:
Stonington Celebrates 45 Years!Original design Raven’s Tail patterns: Open Mussel Shell and Mussel Shell Strips.
This series of bags was inspired by the mussel shell scrapers found in women’s sewing kits like the one at the Smithsonian. The Anchorage museum has a set on display that I viewed in person. I had been wanting to do something with the shell colors for years but hadn’t found my inspiration until seeing these kits. It got me thinking about the woman’s work and our connection to the tides and the moon.
https://americanindian.si.edu/collections-search/object/NMAI_124424
The three bags in this series represent this theme in three different techniques; Chilkat weaving, Raven’s Tail weaving, and seaweed beadwork on octopus bags.
Original design Raven’s Tail patterns: Open Mussel Shell and Mussel
Shell Strips.
The body of the bag : “Open Mussel Shell pattern
Legs of the bag: Mussel shell stripes
Height includes strap