"What do you use these for?" That is one of the primary questions I hear from the public, wherever I showcase my work. And it is a question of which there is no short, easy answer; as most people most likely expect. I usually respond with..."What do you want to use them for?" True, the majority of my handwoven straps are used for the powder horns, hunting bags, and firearms for countless historical re-enactors and living history buffs. And with just cause. We as historical fanatics are proud of our traditions. We follow within the footsteps of our ancestors, we study what they wore and how they scratched out their survival, sometimes by the skin of their teeth. Countless personal stories can be found in documented text which draw our attention and fascinates the mind's eye. Ideas are formed, books are written, movies are made. Oh if our American forefathers and foremothers could only know how we strive to follow in their footsteps! We as artisans recreate usable works of art from our ancestors. We find an original black powder rifle, or a hunting bag, or a scrimshawed powder horn and we duplicate those originals to the best of our ability. We are proud of our workmanship as artisans, and proud as well to buy, sell or trade our works with others who share the same love for truly living history.          

     I follow within the steps of my own ancestors, at the very least a few of them. A well known weaver by trade, one ancestor arrived early on from Wales, and gained a highly respectable status through top notch quality workmanship. Apparently the trade skipped a few generations to entwine me within the web of the loom. There is more to my work however, than usage for the 18th century enthusiast. The very same straps which are woven for the beauty, strength and accuracy of a period correct piece, also has a multitude of uses for the modern day civilian. Possibilities are endless, and this is where I answer "what do you want to use them for?"         

    Shoulder straps for purses, cameras and carrying bags are all obvious suggestions. I have several handwoven guitar straps which are owned by celebrity musicians. A few weeks ago I fit a strap to someone's mandolin. And of course with the modern day guitarist, any color and material goes, from subtle designs and colors to large vibrant straps with metallic threads, designed by me to catch the eye of a crowd while being worn on stage. I am a music buff myself, and my husband plays guitar, so I am no stranger to the world of music, and love to challenge myself to design woven guitar straps that fit individual guitars, for these instruments are all as artistically beautiful as the music played on them.     

      Uses which many women do not seem to realize, is that woven straps make excellent belts; or what we in the 18th century call waist sashes. A well woven strap with complimentary colors and a pleasing design passed through the belt loops of your jeans and tied off to hang by your side as a belt will really make an outfit. I wear them all the time with jeans, or a blouse and skirt. The effect is remarkable and I never return home without comments. I also have jeans which have long woven strips sewn down the side of each leg - the jeans will be well worn out long before the wide woven trimwork!           

     Short woven pieces of mine have made it into various museums, used as trunk hinges. Canteens, chokers and other jewelry, pottery jugs, basket handles and fishing creels, you name it...the uses of a quality handwoven strap is limited only to your imagination!

     So, what do you want to use it for?

Written by Shayna L. Matthews