Porcupine - Before the Beads
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Long before the introduction of glass beads, clothing was decorated with porcupine quills. Porcupine quills were gathered from the hide of a porcupine, washed, dyed with natural plant dyes, and flattened to be used to decorate moccasins, shirts, dresses, deer hides and baskets. Quill work today is rare to find because it is such a long process compared to using beads… and first you have to catch a porcupine!! |