Honoring our Native American's

In early November, Joni : http://www.jstinson.etsy.com, wrote that President Obama had declared November as National Native American Month. See Joni's blog: I just received a proclamation from President Obama declaring November, 2009 National Native American Month and November 27, 2009 National Native American Day. You can read the proclamation on my blog:
http://jstinson-trailoftreasures.blogspot.com/2009/11/obama-declares-national-native-american.html

I have long written about the plight of the Native Americans and the true history of our country. We have all been indoctrinated throughout the years in our history texts and literature about how the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, MA, in 1620, and were surprised to find that this land called Amerika was already inhabited by hundreds of different American Indian tribes. We all know quite well that peaceful setting of the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and Indians sharing whatever crops they managed to grow, and learning the various cultures of each group. Unfortunately, that scenario as we know it was very far from the truth. The Pilgrims landed in an unknown territory ready to take over, only to find no food or shelter; while continuing to be observed by the curious inhabitants that had already settled in Plymouth and the many surrounding areas around what we know refer to as "Cape Cod". The Pilgrims through much treachery, not only stole the hidden crops the Indians had stored away for the Springtime planting, but began a plot to cast each tribe against the other with the hope that each Native American tribe with total untrust of the other would follow through on their plan causing the first of many massacres that occured. It was during these terrible massacres that the Pilgrims would step in and acquire the lands of each tribe as they would retreat from the own settlements. This so-called peaceful "First Thanksgiving" would lead to 50 years of treacherous villainy and war, and the loss of 1,000's of lives, to begin what we come to define today as American. This is only a brief scenario of the many years of war that the Native Americans had to endure losing not only their land and families, but dignity as well. It is wonderful to see that American's are now taking responsibility for their actions, and are beginning to recognize who are true founders of America are. I for one am proud to be one of the Americans of today who feels that this honor although well deserved, is well overdo.

I am very grateful then to have one of my pieces from my shop: http://www.MagdaleneKnits.etsy.com, recognized as a tribute to this very worthy honor thanks to "CloudBurst" http://www.CloudBurst.etsy.com - my black scarf which was recognized in this promotion : http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35311039. I invited all of you to view Joni's Promotional thread about this great tribute to her own Cherokee heritage: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6335843&page=1In early November, Joni : http://www.jstinson.etsy.com, wrote that President Obama had declared November as National Native American Month. See Joni's blog: I just received a proclamation from President Obama declaring November, 2009 National Native American Month and November 27, 2009 National Native American Day. You can read the proclamation on my blog:
http://jstinson-trailoftreasures.blogspot.com/2009/11/obama-declares-national-native-american.html

The Christmas Fair

Last weekend was our annual Parish Christmas Fair. I started doing the Fair when my children were very small and attended our Parish school. As they got older, and I went back to work, I took a long hiatus from crafting. I again started doing craft shows and the Sacred Heart Christmas Fair a few years ago. This particular Fair is always a three day affair. Friday, being my favorite, is when the children come in and do their own shopping. They come in dressed in their holiday finest, with their little envelopes filled with their shopping money. What I enjoy the most is seeing the little one's with their $2 (which to them could be a million dollars) and say "I want to buy something for my mommy". The invariably head for my most expensive jewelry, but I then lead them to my Christmas jewelry which I make and price just for the children to be able to buy. I ask them how much money they have to spend - usually it is between $2 - $4, so I will pick out a pair of earrings or bracelet and say "oh, this is just $2" ; their eyes just light up as I wrap the little gift which they can't wait to get home to give to their mother or sister. One little girl, Madalene, wanted to buy a pair of baby booties for her little sister. Knowing that her sister is already 2, I told her I didn't think they would fit. She replied, "they are for Monica's little baby doll", so I wrapped up a little pair of my preemie booties for her. Friday evening, dinner is served (which is so delicious) and donated from different parents, and the parents get to do their shopping. It is more fun just running into people I haven't seen in a while and catching up on what our older children are doing now. My daughter, Kelly and her newborn son, Zachary also came to help; and in the evening Zachary had his first picture with Santa! (see if you can figure out which is the real Santa!)
I must admit though as much as I love doing this one particular Fair. This year a few vendors that have been there the past few years and myself were a little disappointed in the amount of people who were selling stuff I wouldn't even be throwing away. Besides myself and my friend, who also is on Etsy, we were the only two who actually sold hand-crafted items. I miss the days when a craft fair meant just that, handmade crafts. When I first started doing this Fair many years ago, only hand-crafted items would be sold. Now these vendor come in and are literally selling right out of the boxes that they bought their items in. So in that respect, it was a little disappointing to see people being taken in by what some are calling crafts. I have noticed this being the trend in other craft shows I have done in the past few years. Well, hopefully, they will all go back to the concept of a craft fair selling hand-made crafts. Even with all that, I did manage to sell quite a few things as well as a custom order for a necklace, bracelet and earring set. I certainly didn't let the non-crafters deter from my Holiday spirit while I enjoyed selling to the little children, and catching up with old friends, and seeing my grandson having his first visit with Santa.

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