Flights of Fancy: An Introduction To Iroquois Beadwork
by Dolores N. Elliott
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Birds are free to soar – just like the imaginations of Iroquois beadworkers. This publication honors and celebrates the creativity of these sewers and their fantastic creations.”
“Iroquois beadwork is beautiful. It is gaudy. It is fancy. It is simple. It is elegant, intricate, colorful, and amazing. It is all of this and more. Iroquois women, and some men, most living on reservations in New York, Ontario, and Quebec, have been creating beadwork masterpieces for over two centuries. Some pieces were made as gifts for family and friends, while the majority was made to sell. Although members of all six Iroquois nations do beadwork, it is Mohawk and Tuscarora beadwork that is most well known. The two centers of beadwork production are the Niagara Falls area and the St. Lawrence River Valley near Montreal. Throughout much of the past 200 years, beaded birds have appeared prominently on many pieces of the fanciful beadwork. Birds are free to soar – just like the imaginations of Iroquois beadworkers.
This publication honors and celebrates the creativity of these sewers and their fantastic creations.” ... Dolores N. Elliott FLIGHTS OF FANCY is the start of the collection of information, pictures, illustrations and explanation of Iroquois beadwork. The autho notes: “This publication is a report of work very much in progress.” As time passes and she accumulates new information about Iroquois beadwork and its makers, she hopes to do genealogical research on historic beadworkers and their roles in their families and communities. Specifically seeking information on Iroquois beadworkers outside of the two major centers. She hopes to discover the histories the fairs and tourist attractions where much of the beadwork was sold. She poses these questions:
• Who was making beadwork in the Oneida communities and at Onondaga?
• Did beadworking go to Oklahoma with the Cayugas and Senecas?
• What were the sources of the beads and other items needed for beadwork production?
• How the beadworkers buy supplies?
• How did the availability of supplies influence the beadwork construction?
• Where were the various forms developed?
You can expect to find chapters on:
- Research Collection
- The Iroquois
- History of Iroquois Beadwork.
- Beadwork as Souvenirs
- Beadwork Forms and Functions
- The Earliest Beadwork
- And others
- Some of the featured items covered in depth with photographs and historical information are:
- Pincushions
- Needle cases
- Wall Hangings
- Whiskbroom Holders
- Wall Pockets
- Match Holders
- Watch Holders
- Picture Frames
- Containers
- Urns
- Hanging Baskets
- Cups
- Purses
- Medallions
- Clothing
- Shirts and Leggings.
- Head pieces and Belts
- Shoes
- Dolls and Doll Clothin
- Flat Piece
- Souvenir Pins
- Table Cloth
- Appliqué’s
- Mats
- Calling Card Cases
- Flags
- And others
The book concludes with listings of Iroquoie beadwork traits, including common design elements and misspellings. And also lists of the typical animals and words used, unique to the Mohawk and Niagara groups. She also gives a full page of resources for additional information.
InstaReview
- FLIGHTS OF FANCY – AN INTRODUCTION TO IROQUOIS BEADWORK, SECOND EDITION
- By Dolores N. Elliott
- Published by Iroquois Studies Association, Inc. – Johnson City, NY
- Soft Cover – 8 1/2” x 11”
- 28 Text and Photograph Pages
- Hundreds of Full Color Photographs
- 4 Black and White/Sepia Tone Photographs
- 1 Black and White Illustrated Drawing
- 3 Drawn Graphic Shape Images
- Map
 $25.00 Soft cover- 2002
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