Perry Spiritdancer

My name is Perry Joe Gabbard. I am also known as Spiritdancer. I am of Cherokee descent. I am a leather crafter. I do not use any machinery. I enjoy creating everything totally by hand and as traditional as possible. I use an awl to pierce holes and hand cut leather lacing to thread through them. Premium Buckskin is my leather of choice. It\'s known for it\'s buttery softness and has no holes to repair. My greatest creation so far is my \"Jimi Jacket\". I based it on the one that Jimi Hendrix wore at Woodstock in 1969. Vegetable tanned cow hide is what I use for tooling. I learned my tooling skills from an elder many years ago. I still think of her today. I have created most of my designs and patterns. I love to also custom make new designs for my clients. I love to provide an item that they have always wanted but could never find. I am also a Traditional Native American dancer. I dancer at some local and out of state pow wows. I also love to play guitar, sing and write songs. I recorded a CD called \"Cherokee Hills\" and I was a nominee in the Native American Music Awards for Best Country Folk. Creating my leather clothing and accessories, singing and dancing is how i keep my heritage alive and well.