The more indigenous artworks I look at the more intrigued I get about all the symbols so I did some research and found out some of there meanings. Different indigenous cultures use different symbol…

My clasps and findings have been featured on both Art Bead Scene and Rebecca Anderson's Songbeads blog this week. Rebecca is one of the ABS blog team, and has written both a tutorial (using my poppy and daisy clasps, silk and macrame) and the Studio Saturday post over there this week - head over to the ABS blog and leave a comment on her Studio Saturday post to be in with a chance of winning a set of my poppy headpins and charms, and to get a code for my etsy shop that will get you 15% off until the end of May! And the "pinned" part of the post title? I've set up a Pinterest board for designs made using my Daisychain Extra bits and pieces - you can find it here, and if you've got pictures of jewellery made using them please let me know where they are and I'll pin them. All the photos get linked back to your website/blog/etsy shop or wherever the pictures were pinned from, so it's an easy way of getting some more publicity. There will be a shop update later on this evening - some new made-to-order designs that I've been working on for a while and some limited edition pieces too. I'll post here again when they're in the shop!

by Barbara Bechtel Throughout history, many religions and cultures have used jewelry as a means of imparting cultural and religious symbols and patterns into their work. However, you don't have to be a world traveler or an anthropologist to find inspiration for your own artisan made jewelry. The internet and your local library offer a wealth of research options to find meaningful and beautiful symbols to inspire your own work.... Here are just a few that have inspired me over the years.... The Maasai women have long been known for their intricate beaded designs and body modification. Originally, the delicate beads and their colors came from traditional means such as bone, stone, and horn but lost favor when trading with Europe and they were able to gain access to larger quantities of their now favored opaque Czech glass. Tradtional Japanese Netsuke and their counterparts, Ojime and Inro, were intricately carved adornments for the obi. Generally serving as a closure (much like a button) for a small pouch, this unique art form is still a popular craft and art form today. Traditionally, they depicted popular animals, deities, nature, and even professions or popular subjects of the day. You need not look any further than your own personal religious beliefs to find beautiful symbols. To expand on this idea, consult historical and religious texts or references to find variations of symbols through out history. In addition to the traditional symbols, look for other symbolic references in the stories of different religions, in example the rainbow in Christianity or the Hamsa in many different religions. Indigenous cultures and tribes throughout the world often used symbols in their writings, weavings and jewelry. Research into different groups can not only inform your work but also enlighten you about art history! Here are some additional references to get you started: PBS: Craft in America : Not only does this series research the rich history of American Craft; many episodes highlight artists working in traditional methods and symbology of their cultural heritage. Signs and Symbols in Christian Art: This book is a wonderful reference for traditional symbols used throughout art history. Also a great reference if you enjoy western art history. Religious-Symbols.net: Is a great basic site that overviews different religious symbols and their meaning. A great jumping point for your research. If you have any wonderful references, I'd love to hear them below!

This activity bundle, great for inclusion in NAIDOC week and Reconciliation Week activities, is jam-packed with quality resources that will support you in teaching your students about Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander history and culture without having to leave your classroom! The Flipbook, worksheets and fact sheets provided will assist your students in exploring this topic while keeping them engaged and reflective upon the impact of European settlement. This product includes the following: - Indigenous culture Flipbook (categories included: Food, Shelter, Tools, Clothing and Art) - Indigenous culture fact sheets (categories included: Food, Shelter, Tools, Clothing and Art) - European Settlement Impact information and reflection sheet - Natural resources reflection sheet Take a look at some of the great feedback for this resource: "I'm using this for my class who work well with creative tasks. Thank you." "Great resource for exploring Indigenous Australia. Lots of fun activities and reliable information. Very cute design as well." "Saved me a lot of time. Clear, easy to follow lessons. Thank you." "Love it. Used for Naidoc week. Thanks!" If you liked the look of these posters, you may also like these: — Famous Places and Landmarks in Australia - Posters — Australian Flags - Poster and Worksheets — All About Australia: Geography and Landmarks Printable Worksheets - States and Territories of Australia Flipbooks and Information Sheets FAQ Can I share this resource with my teaching partner? No. This product is for personal use only. Multiple licences are available for use among more than one person. On what size paper is this resource best printed? This resource is designed to be printed on A4 sized paper. To fit other paper sizes, ensure you hit 'fit to page' before printing. Don't forget that leaving feedback earns you points toward FREE TPT purchases. I love that feedback!  If you want to connect with me further, check out Ridgy Didge on these social media platforms: - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thank you so much, Mel

Native Australian produce is local, fresh, healthy and promotes Australian biodiversity. So why don’t we eat such foods more often? It’s not for lack of content or variety. In fact Aboriginal people were sustained...

Anzac Day is usually an occasion where schools come together to remember those who fought for our country, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. Our children sit in assemblies and learn about the wars that Australia has been part of and how we continue to commemorate those events and the people

Always was, always will be.

National Reconciliation Week’s theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.