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All items handmade in the U.S.A.
Exhibiting Members of the
Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi
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Custom designer jewelry
by Robert and Debra Shinn
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Round Combs
The silver Choctaw women's comb, or "issep isht elpi" is part of the
traditional dance regalia.
It is typically worn just behind the crown of the head. Our comb, made
to specifications
originally for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, features
stickball
(the kebutsha game), diamondback (from the rattlesnake), and other
patterns
in repousse for added strength. Other patterns and matching men's
hatbands
are available and new ones are being developed. For the purposes of
Native
American powwow dancing, where regalia is not allowed to fall off, we
have made
the teeth wavy so it will "lock" into the hair. The comb measures
about 2 inches tall,
one inch being the decorative back, the other the teeth, by eleven
inches long.
These combs are made primarily for dance purposes but would be equally
suited for
Indian bridal wear; consider it as a replacement for the wedding tiara
worn by the
bride along with a matching silver hatband for the groom. If you need
matching
silver earrings, bracelets, necklaces, or finger rings, please do not
hesitate
to contact us; custom designs are our specialty and are invited.
Click here to see our combs worn by traditional Choctaw dancers.
Scroll down to see our other traditional regalia pieces, the dance bells, and
brooches.
Stickball Round Comb
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Stickball Round Comb
This round comb has a scalloped top and multiple stickball patterns,
each of a pair of crossed stickball sticks and a cutwork ball above them;
the Choctaw Indians leave their stickball gear in such a way to say,
"We hope you come to play and visit again soon!"
Sterling Silver
Size: 2 inches by 11 inches
$840.00
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Diamondback Round Comb
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Diamondback Round Comb
This round comb has a single band of small diamonds running from one end to
the other.
The pattern is from the diamondback rattlesnake, native to central
Mississippi and
an animal from whom strong medicine is derived.
Sterling Silver
Size: 2 inches by 11 inches
$800.00
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Queen Diamond Round Comb
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Queen Diamond Round Comb
This round comb has a central band of small diamonds framing a large
diamond
in the center of the back. The large central diamond is hand-repoussed
and
has a center stamped with snake scales. The pattern is from the
diamondback
rattlesnake, native to central Mississippi and an animal from whom
strong
medicine is derived.
Sterling Silver
Size: 2 inches by 11 inches
$800.00
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Scrollwork Round Comb
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Scrollwork Round Comb
This round comb has a scrollwork series separated by cresents. The
pattern comes from a very old beaded sash made in the last century in
central Mississippi.
Sterling Silver
Size: 2 inches by 11 inches
$800.00
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Choctaw Dangle Earrings
This unique piece of Southern history has tiny silver jingles to tinkle softly.
Available in your choice of red carnelian, black onyx, or turquoise blue glass beads.
Sterling silver, approximately 2-3/4 inches long.
$70.00
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Dance or Mother-in-law Bells
There were two forms of this multifunctional bell. The
older is the circular
one made originally from old
silver quarters with a hole punched, not drilled, through the top for a
wire that holds
both the clapper and the attachment loop (on opposite ends). It almost
never had any
stamped decorations. The square bell came later as sheet metal entered
as a trade item.
I think the first of these came about 1890. At first they were not
mother-in-law bells
(either model) but silver copies of the bells found on more ornate
Mexican saddles and
were worn by both men and women in dances. The square model seems to
have reached its
peak of development after WWI, but pretty much vanished after WWII. Some
of the old
ones show up in museums, mostly out west. But all too often that wire
with the clapper
and loop broke or pulled out, the whole thing came apart, and after a
few decades nobody
knew what it was. It has been a few years since I've made one of the
plainer ones.
Its use as a mother-in-law bell comes from a matriarchal culture, usually
matrilocal as well,
and a lot of taboos surround keeping the in-laws from having any confrontations
- in short,
it's bad luck for the son-in-law and his mother-in-law to meet eyes. Such are
the Navajo and Hopis.
The bell, his gift to her at the wedding, was to be his signal she was coming
and leave himself.
Mother-in-law Bell
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Mother-in-law Bell
Our stamped square model can be used as a dance bell and is made with a short
handmade chain
and silver button so that it can easily be worn by buttoning it through any
convenient button hole.
All joints are hard soldered to protect your investment.
Sterling Silver
Base is one inch wide.
Buttonhole fastening.
$400.00
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Angel Bell
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Angel Bell
An all silver pendant we make is the silver bell, shown here with a
woman’s head
and winged torso above so that the bell becomes her skirt. This piece is
fabricated
from sheet sterling forged in handmade dies, which may be usable as many
as 50 more times.
All joints are tight and the bell is fully functional. The edge of the
bell or “skirt”
has traditional western stamping and makes the piece capable of free
standing.
This is a version of the older square mother-in-law bell.
Sterling Silver
2 inches tall
If you need a handmade chain for this pendant, please contact our
silversmith.
$1000.00
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Turquoise and Silver
Skystone and silver are a wonderful combination. Some years
back we made
traditional western style sterling silver jewelry, most of
which was sold
at pow-wows west of the Mississippi River by vendors such as
Sharon Lonewolf
and others. Stamping, chisel work, and overlay were the major
techniques used.
Almost everything was fabricated from sheet and wire; very
little was ever cast.
Turquoise was the stone we used in largest quantity, although
garnets, coral,
charoite, and other cabochon gems were used. Recently, we have
returned to
making some of those beloved pieces; below are a few of our
current offerings.
Should you wish custom pieces, please contact us directly.
Wave Bracelet
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Wave Bracelet
This sterling overlay cuff bracelet is made with the traditional wave
pattern of water.
Sterling Silver
Sized for a large woman or man's wrist.
If you need another size, please contact our silversmith.
$460.00
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Turquoise and Coral Pendant
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Turquoise and Coral Pendant
Eight color-matched freeform corals surround a freeform turquoise on
this large silver pendant.
Sterling Silver
2 inches long
If you need a handmade chain for this pendant, please contact our
silversmith.
$120.00
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Turquoise Pendant
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Turquoise Pendant
Hand-cut freeform genuine turquoise stone set in a sterling mount with
leaves
and flower for accent.
Sterling Silver
1.5 inches long
If you need a handmade chain for this pendant, please contact our
silversmith.
$220.00
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Silver Feather Barrette
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Silver Feather Barrette
Our favorite barrette is a 4-inch-long feather. Unlike cast barrettes,
ours is fabricated and much lighter, although this includes a lot more
handwork. Each feather is individually cut, then its texture created
with
a chisel. The findings on the back are handmade as well, although the
wire clip is typically white brass or steel for tension purposes.
Sterling Silver
4 inches long
If you need a mirror-imaged pair, please contact our silversmith.
$480.00
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Dragonfly Brooch
Summer has finally faded into cool autumn days here in the South,
and we have bid our skimming friends goodbye until next year.
Remember them also with this traditional piece set with five custom cut turquoise stones.
Sterling; wingspan 3 inches;
sandcast body 2 inches (plus antennae).
$600.00
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Before the Storm
Two horses race across the desert as a lightning storm grows over the mesa behind them.
Great gift for anyone who likes horses or the West.
Sterling overlay, approximately 2 by three inches. Fits a 1-1/2 inch belt.
$500.00
Sterling Silver
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Running Deer
A majestic buck runs through the forest under the light of a cresent moon.
Great gift for anyone who likes deer or the outdoors.
Sterling overlay, approximately 2 by three inches. Fits a 1-1/2 inch belt.
$600.00
Sterling Silver
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