In order to bring you these pictures in actual size, so you will know what you are ordering, you will likely have to toggle your screen back and forth. Sorry about that! I am a wheat weaver, not a web builder. Advice is accepted via email.
"HOUSE BLESSING"™
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Wheat Weavings, according to legend, bring Prosperity, Good Health and Happiness to their owners. Especially when receive as a gift.
A hundred years ago and more, a farmer in Wales would harvest his grain by hand. The last few stalks from the field would be woven into a "HOUSE BLESSING", then taken to the neighbor, given as a gift, and he would stay to help finish the harvest. Then, the neighbor would make a weaving from the last stalks in his field, go to help with another farmer’s harvest, and so on, until all the grain in the region had been threshed and stored. Every farmer did two harvests and everyone had their crop gathered before winter. The ancient weaving was commonly known as a
"HOUSE BLESSING" by the family. The stored grain would provide "PROSPERITY" or at least some security. The "GOOD HEALTH" came from reduced stress and good nutrition from the stored grain. The good friends who always came to help would bring "HAPPINESS".This same pattern is known as a House Blessing in several European and Scandinavian countries. It seems unusual that the ancient Mexicans also had a straw weaving in the same pattern, and while their story is slightly different, the basic idea of it being a symbol of
HEALTH, PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS remain the central theme of this design.Since stalks of grain are like snowflakes, there are no two identical; your design is unique. There isn’t another exactly like it. Sorting the heads to find those similar in shape and color is a major factor in how the design will look. Although they can be made from any type of straw, this one is made from Wakooma Durum Wheat, a variety that was developed in Saskatchewan in the 1950's. This is the natural color of the grain for a few days during the ripening process. Straw required no preservatives when it is stored indoors and should give you many years of pleasure, with reasonable care. I hope I have captured the beauty of the waving fields of prairie grain, but most of all, I hope you enjoy this traditional weaving as much as I have enjoyed making it for you.
Please feel free to contact me at any time for information about traditional as well as my own original wheat weaving designs.
Below is the actual size House Blessing in natural Wakooma durum wheat straw. I needs no preservatives and is this color for a few days during the ripening process. The beards on the straw are a lovely black on many of the heads in the field. There are no spliced straws in this design. It is about 14 x 18 inches, has a hanger attached to the back so you can hang it on your wall. For only $39 plus postage and handling of $9.50 it can be yours. Please check with customs officials in your country if you live outside of North America, just to make sure that Art Work created from grain may be received through the mail.
Below is a House Blessing with carefully matched heads of wheat, spread out in a single layer to show each one separately. It has a clear gloss finish applied to it to add strength and to accent the texture of the straw. It is suitable for framing. We will build a suitable shadow box frame for you, in octagon or square shape, from barn board with or without barb wire trim. These frames are finely crafted and use biscuit joints, 3" deep about 24" diameter. You may phone or email to make arrangements and obtain prices. (beginning at $300)
Would you rather have a pair of very light weight but very durable earrings?
Each woven from 6 delicate stalks of wheat, shown here at half (50%) of actual size. Hypoallergenic posts, hooks or clip on styles. The golden straw goes with any color and is a wonderful natural look that is unique in shape and style. $25 plus $6.50 postage. Since there is no seed, just straw, it doesn't matter where you live, they can be mailed anywhere. Wholesale prices available in limited quantities
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THE HEART IS ALWAYS THE SYMBOL OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. THESE WHEAT HEARTS FOR SWEETHEARTS (OR VERY DEAR FRIENDS) ARE WOVEN FROM SPRING WHEAT. I USE FIELD GROWN STRAW, HARVEST IT BY HAND, SOAK IT IN WATER UNTIL IT IS PLIABLE AND BLOCK IT TO DRY. IT WILL LAST FOR DECADES. THERE ARE WHEAT WEAVINGS IN MUSEUMS THAT ARE HUNDREDS OF YEARS OLD. I OFTEN IMAGINE THAT THE FIRST WHEAT HEART WAS WOVEN BY SOME FARM BOY ON THE WAY TO COURT HIS SWEETHEART. (IN THE DAYS WHEN YOUNG LADIES WERE IMPRESSED BY REVIVING A HANDFUL OF STRAW FOR A GIFT.) I HOPE THOSE DAYS WILL NEVER PASS. STRAW WEAVINGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A SYMBOL OF GOOD FORTUNE, PROSPERITY AND GOOD HEALTH. I DO HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY THIS ONE.
ACTUAL SIZE WHEAT HEART.
$29 PLUS $7.50 POSTAGE AND HANDLING.
THIS ONE IS SHOWN NATURAL COLOR WITHOUT DECORATION, BUT THEY CAN HAVE RIBBON, DRIED FLOWERS OR WOVEN STRAW ON THEM, IF YOU WISH, AT NO EXTRA CHARGE. PICK YOUR COLOR OR SEND ME THE FABRIC YOU WANT USED. I THINK THEY LOOK LOVELY JUST THE WAY THEY ARE.
Order today, very limited quantities.