Shaman Masks Shawl - Beaded

• Burnout Silk Velvet With Handmade Glass Beads
• 41" x 41"
• Artist:  Ray Watkins, adopted Raven

Shaman masks are made from hand-carved alder wood.  The wealth hat has rings indicating how much power and wealth the owner has.  Consider one ring on the top to equal as much as $1,000,000 of gift power.  Power is measured in how much one gives away, not in how much one has.

Each of the Shaman masks in this shawl design were originally hand-carved, taking up to one year to create. My uncles, Ray Watkins and Charlie Abbott, carved these out of alder wood. Alder wood is a prized anti-carcinogenic wood used for smoking salmon and meats by Alaska Natives. 

The symbol of the healing hands is on the border of the shawl, making it similar to the Button Blanket. The Button Blanket is used in ceremonies celebrating wealth, life, reincarnation, and - most importantly - who you are.

The background of this shawl is made from 100% silk and the velvet is made from wheat, which gives it a unique shine. The beads are handmade glass and sewn on by hand. From start to finish, this shawl takes 45 days to make.