DRUM BAGS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN DRUM(S)

These are some of my personal, hand-made bags for my hide drums. Materials for each bag is intuitively selected and decorated with items supporting the energy of the hides. To keep a continuum, I like to make, and design, matching drum beaters. These, along with the drums (which I unfortunately did not make) are adorned to match as a cohesive unit.

For each bag I reinforce the fabric edging (and handle opening) by hand-sewing with thread and securing any tie-offs with glue. For me, the more time and intent I spend with a creation, the greater the return and energetic vibration. Finally, the drum is finished by selecting a crystal heart to attach the handle, this is to honor the gift with love and gratitude.

“Four Directions” Red bag with feather trim for 18” Horse hide drum. Fabric; This bag was made by combining two types of fabrics; red faux suede for the exterior and a cream-colored faux sherpa for the interior. I love the feel and look of these fabrics, not only do they protect the drums, but it creates a cocoon-like environment for them to hibernate in when not in use. 10” Wood handle: I call this my “Duck Stick” since it resembles a duck, wrapped in matching four-direction colored deerskin lace and secured with brown lace. Trim: Hand-sewn polished Picasso Jasper beads with alternating shapes adorn the perimeter. Flap trim: A strip of feather trim finish the front exterior. Drum back: Red, black, white and yellow deerskin lace for the four directions wrap around the drum ties. Green deerskin lace (representing the earth) covers the handle and continue the theme with teardrop Picasso Jasper crystals. Heart cabochon: Green and yellow striped Druzy Agate crystal. Drum beater: I made this beater myself from re-purposed natural wood, and wrapped it with matching deerskin lace and feather trim.

“Insight” Brown bag with fur trim for 16” Elk hide drum: Fabric; Brown faux suede fabric on the outside, combined with faux sherpa on the inside. 19” Wood handle: Wood branch with a moose-like face on one side and snake-like presence on the other, complete with Rhinestone “eyes. Black deerskin lace frame the moose face with brown lace securing the handle to bag. Trim: Hand-sewn polished yellow Citrine crystals adorn the circumference. Flap trim: Faux-fur trim on edging and loop with web-like brown trim above it. Extras: Elk horn wrapped with faux-leather trim with freeform Mookaite cabochon. Drum back: Tiny yellow Citrine crystals suspended from the innermost cord circle. Heart cabochon: Yellow, brown and white Druzy Agate crystal. Drum beater: I made this beater from a Manzanita branch (I believe) that a builder had cut down and discarded-it has matching deerskin lace trim, adorned with more Citrine crystals.

“Wonder” Tan bag with Cork trim for 15” Buffalo hide drum; Fabric: Tan faux suede fabric on the outside, combined with faux sherpa on the inside. 17” Wood Handle: Discarded Manzanita branch with brown faux lace in the middle and deerskin lace on the outside edges. The handle is secured to bag with more deerskin lace. Trim: Hand-sewn Picasso Jasper tubes alternated with black Obsidian oval beads. Flap trim: Faux cork ribbon with black faux leather lace and inverted cream colored faux sherpa. Dangling from the flap is more hand-sewn Picasso Jasper tubes, black Obsidian ovals and finished with faceted Cherry Quartz teardrop beads. Drum back: Brown deerskin lace with teardrop Cherry Quartz crystals. Heart cabochon: Black plum Jasper crystal. Drum beater: Discarded Manzanita branch with matching deerskin lace and faceted Cherry Quartz crystals.

“Dreamer” Blue bag with web trim for 15” Moose hide drum; Fabric: Blue-green faux suede on the exterior and white faux sherpa on the inside, two separate fabrics combined. 17” Deer antler handle: Lightweight antler with white deerskin lace attaching it to the bag. Small blue dyed shells and tan Cowrie shells adorn the lace ends. Trim: Hand-sewn tan Cowrie shells dangle the exterior perimeter. I LOVE that they softly clink together when the bag moves! Flap trim: Gold, web-like ribbon trim on white faux sherpa with blue dyed shell accents. Drum back: Teal leather sheet with white deerskin lace cover the handle. Heart cabochon: Blue and black Druzy Agate heart crystal. Drum beater: Discarded Manzanita branch wrapped with matching blue and white deerskin lace, trimmed with blue shell pieces and tan Cowrie shells.

“Traveler” Black faux leather bag for 12” Buffalo drum; Fabric: Faux black leather and faux sherpa combined material. 6.5” Deer antler handle: Lightweight antler with black deerskin lace attaching it to the bag, finished with milky white Quartz (with Tourmaline veins) crystals. Trim: Black scalloped fabric cord trim. Flap trim: Inverted faux leather material strip with more scalloped fabric trim and milky white Quartz crystals dangle from the flap. Drum back: Black and brown deerskin lace cover the handle, with more Quartz crystals on trim ends. Heart cabochon: Striped white Druzy Agate crystal. Drum beater: Discarded Manzanita branch wrapped with black and white deerskin lace, trimmed with white Quartz and Tourmaline crystals. *This bag was created specifically for traveling, drum safety and durability.