How to Make a Fur Mandela

Mandelas are similar to dream catchers, but in place of the webbing found on most dream catchers, mandelas have a solid piece of fabric, leather or fur. It’s easy to make a fur mandela which are generally very expensive to purchase. You’ll find the fake fur in zebra, lion, tiger and solid prints at a craft store. You’ll pay less if you purchase a half-yard or so from the bolt rather than selecting the pre-cut crafting pieces.

Cut the first piece of fur about an inch bigger, all the way around, than the metal ring used to hold the mandela. Cut a second piece of fabric, cardboard or leather to cover the backside. This second piece should be about a half inch smaller, all the way around, than the metal ring.

Use hot glue to position the fur piece onto the metal ring, wrapping the edges of the fur behind the ring and gluing into place. Use clothes pins, if necessary, to hold the fur in place while you continue gluing all the way around the circumference of the circle.

The size you make the fur strips, that hang off of the mandela like feathers hang from a dream catcher, depends upon the size of the mandela. Cut three strips of fur, one longer than the other two, and four to five inches wide. Smaller mandelas may require the width to be a little more narrow.

Instead of cutting the strips into regular rectangular shapes cut them to a long diamond shape with four points. On one end fold the point over to the backside of the fur, about an inch or two. Glue or stitch into place. Now begin rolling the fur from each edge into the center, until they meet in the center. Glue or stitch into place.

The one end that still has raw edges will be attached to the backside of the mandela. Mark three places where you want the fur pieces to hang from, on the backside. Stitch or glue the three rolled fur pieces in these areas, gluing them to the back, making the longest one the center piece. Fold a rawhide strip in half and attach at the very top center for a hanger. After attaching each fur strand and hanger, glue the backing onto the mandela.

You can enhance the mandela by attaching a leather or ceramic piece to the front fur circle, tying rawhide strips around the area where the fur strips meet the fur-covered wire, or just leave as-is. The mandelas are beautiful and easy to make. They add a real elegant touch to any Native American collection and are simple enough for children to do.

It’s not necessary to use fur for the mandelas. You can cut a piece of leather or choose a piece of cloth that has a Native American scene imprinted on it. The mandelas make great gifts or a perfect new addition to your own decor.