God’s Eye
"God's Eye" or "Ojo de Dios"
The "God's Eye" craft has a history deeply rooted in Mexican culture. Known as "Ojo de Dios" in Spanish, it is a traditional folk art that originated with the Huichol Indians of western Mexico. The craft involves weaving colorful yarn around wooden sticks or dowels to create a multi-pointed, mandala-like design.
The Huichol people use the God's Eye as a spiritual and symbolic object. It is believed to have the power to see and understand things that the naked eye cannot. The craft is often used in religious ceremonies and is considered a protective symbol, representing the watchful eye of the gods.
Over time, the God's Eye craft has spread beyond the Huichol culture and has become a popular craft activity in many places around the world. It's often used as a decorative piece or a meaningful gift, carrying the cultural and spiritual significance of the original tradition.
So, while the roots of the God's Eye craft are deeply tied to the Huichol Indians and their spiritual practices, its appeal has transcended cultural boundaries and found a place in the wider world of art and craft. Many people appreciate the craft for its beauty or use it as a tool for creative expression and meditation.
They can be used as decoration anywhere or even ornaments for a Christmas tree during the holidays.
Experiment and Enjoy:
Don't hesitate to play around with diverse colors, sizes, patterns, and even add embellishments to your creation. Each God's Eye is a one-of-a-kind piece, and the crafting journey is as much a celebration of creativity as it is a nod to tradition. Keep in mind, the satisfaction of making a God's Eye extends beyond the finished product—it's embedded in the meditative and artistic process. So, relish every moment of your crafting experience!
Materials:
2 sticks of equal sizeyarnscissorsoptional: embellishmentsGods Eye Instructions:
1. Gather Materials:
Select your sticks. They should be of equal length and the size depends on your preference
2. Form the Base:
Cross the two sticks to create a simple "X" shape. Use a bit of yarn to tie them together at the center point, forming the base of your God's Eye.
3. Start Wrapping:
Choose the color of yarn you want to start with. Tie the end of the yarn to one of the
sticks near the center.
4. Wrap Around the Center:
Start wrapping the yarn around the center, going over and around each stick in turn.
This process secures the sticks together and forms a small, tight center.
5. Expand the Design:
Once you have a secure center, start moving outward. Continue wrapping the yarn around one stick and then the other, gradually expanding the design.
6. Add More Colors:
Get creative with colors! Change yarn colors as you go, or create patterns by alternating colors. Option: tip: Rather than tying off colors to switch colors the use of multicolor skeins of yarn allows this to happen seamlessly.
7. Tighten as Needed:
Periodically, push the yarn wraps toward the center to keep the God's Eye tight and well-formed.
8. Finish Off:
When you're satisfied with the size and design, tie off the yarn with a knot. Trim any excess yarn.
9. Optional Hanging Loop:
If you want to hang your God's Eye, leave a length of yarn when tying off and create a loop at the top for hanging.
