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Description
(antler; 2006)
This is the first in a series on crafting my medicine bag.

Last week I began taking metformin (a.k.a. "Glucophage"). The pills are gigantic and I'll eventually be taking 3 at every dinner. I need a container to carry them and I really don't want it to be plastic. Because an unlikely but possible side-effect of metformin is getting woozy from low blood sugar, followed by passing out, I also need to carry some kind of sugar candy on my person at all times. I also need to wear some kind of medical alert thing indicating my prescription. The solution I have come up with for my needs? I'll make a small First Nations style pouch, to wear about my neck-- a white-man's-medicine bag.

This is the start of the tag, which will be made of elk antler. This was a shed antler, not a trophy off a hunted critter. It was found in New Mexico and, when intact, measured about 37". I've already made the long thin section into a shaft for a drop spindle, using hand tools and water.

For the antler tag, I went straight to a Dremmel tool. I carved an outline and drilled a hole. Then I used a hammer and chisel to knock the piece out; the interior is weak and spongy.

Description
(antler; 2006)
This is the first in a series on crafting my medicine bag.

Last week I began taking metformin (a.k.a. "Glucophage"). The pills are gigantic and I'll eventually be taking 3 at every dinner. I need a container to carry them and I really don't want it to be plastic. Because an unlikely but possible side-effect of metformin is getting woozy from low blood sugar, followed by passing out, I also need to carry some kind of sugar candy on my person at all times. I also need to wear some kind of medical alert thing indicating my prescription. The solution I have come up with for my needs? I'll make a small First Nations style pouch, to wear about my neck-- a white-man's-medicine bag.

This is the start of the tag, which will be made of elk antler. This was a shed antler, not a trophy off a hunted critter. It was found in New Mexico and, when intact, measured about 37". I've already made the long thin section into a shaft for a drop spindle, using hand tools and water.

For the antler tag, I went straight to a Dremmel tool. I carved an outline and drilled a hole. Then I used a hammer and chisel to knock the piece out; the interior is weak and spongy.