Elk Parfleche Western Handbag
By Keri DeWitt
Elk parfleche western handbag (half brain tanned elk so it is a little softer than rawhide, but not as soft as fully brain tanned leather).
I used natural earth pigments mixed with hide glue for the paint and applied it with sharpened sticks and buffalo rib bone brushes. The paint is sealed with prickly pear cactus juice. The fringe flap, strap, and lace are all brain tanned deer skin. Antique trade beads sewn with real elk back strap sinew. The fringe is wrapped with dyed porcupine quills. The holes for stitching are burned in with a hot nail. The closure uses a deer antler tip button.
The strap is 21" long and the dimensions of this purse are 9"x7"x1".
Handbag is available for purchase at Wind River Trading Co.
