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.: My daughter wearing her carefully crafted native corn necklace :.
While visiting the farm we noticed the most beautifully colored Flint corn. We found ourselves gazing at the beatifully paired colors and just knew some would join us at home in our crafting! My little ones found it to be quite magical that the corn is naturally colored in this way.
After bringing our corn home we enjoyed doing a bit of research and read more about this corn being the original corn known to Native Americans long before hybridized yellow corn was created.
.: Beautiful rows of natural color line this native corn :.
We appreciate the heritage of native corn and honor its historic roots. This history, paired with the beauty of the colorful kernels inspired us to adorn ourselves with beautiful natural corn necklaces!
.: Each child carefully harvests native corn kernals that soon will create their necklaces :.
The children push nimble fingers over each kernel that drops into a wooden bowl that was made by my Grandfather so many years ago.
.: She appreciates the diverse colors of the native corn :.
When the wooden bowls were full we took note of the texture of the corn flowing through our fingers. Soon each color would be joined again in the form of a necklace.
.: 'Baby Zuku' looks on with careful attention to the process :.
With our newest little friend "Baby Zuku" (Zoo-coo) watching our every move, we placed each kernel into another handmade bowl that was full with warm water. We allowed the corn kernels to soak overnight.
The very next morning was full of excitement over anticipation of the work of stringing together the necklaces.
.: After the corn is softened by the warm water we begin to string each kernal :.
With embroidery thread and needle we began to string each kernel that join the necklaces.
.: Tree block circles made a great surface for piercing each piece of corn :.
We found that small circles of wood (from our tree-block set) made a lovely hard surface to pierce each kernel through.
.: The native corn matched the colors of the braided rug very closely :.
We took notice of how the kernels of corn matched our braided rug almost perfectly. Similar to the process of braiding rugs, little by little strings of color took form.
.: Baby Zuku enjoyed the necklaces just as much as the children :.
Soon, longer displays of color emerged, and Baby Zuku grew a bit more curious!
.: It did not take long for this little kitten to fall asleep once again :.
After an enjoyable process of stringing these natural beads, the necklaces were complete! Each child has enjoyed wearing their necklaces and sharing with others their process. I have plans to create Flint corn earrings in appreciation of it's heritage and beauty.
.: Strings of natural beads :.
.: Beautiful strands of nature adorn us on this day :.
.: Wrapped in the rich colors of autumn :.
.: Your family may enjoy researching the history of Flint corn while creating beautiful natural necklaces of your own! :.
