the Heȟáka Antler Necklace

The Lakota people are the rightful land stewards of the Black Hills (He Sapa or Paha Sapa), the place I call home. When I was making these new pieces as an offering to the majestic elk, I got to wondering what the Lakota name for elk was, and it is heȟáka, so that’s where these pieces got their name from. In Lakota culture the elk is thought of as a relative who is symbolic of strength, endurance, and patience.    + Real elk antler tip that I cut to size, drilled the hole in, and polished (***there was a small crack in the top of the antler that I repaired with jewelers epoxy and silver dust)  + Hand crafted, heavy gauge reclaimed sterling silver bails hang the antler from a hand beaded strand of Czech glass beads on heavy duty waxed string. The strand is closed with a waxed know underneath a handmade reclaimed sterling silver bead.  + Pendant is 2 ½” long from top of bail to bottom of the antler tip and the antler is ⅜” wide at the widest point + Bead strand is approx. 24”  long with