I recently birthed a womyn’s red frame drum for a local curated art show that happened through our local Arts Council and it took me a month to complete—over a full month’s moon phase… and completed it on International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2023.  

​My Art Drum piece was part of a group curated art show and community discussions held here on Gabriola, through the Triumph  program, Covid Vs Climate Change which ran the weekend of March 17-19, 2023.

​—> more to come, below is a short slideshow of some of my process and my artist statement below that… i am working on a video that will show the birthing process.

If you are called to hold + caretake this drum, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

The Voice of Our Mother Earth
​mixed media; wood, rawhide, leather, plant dye/acrylics/gold leaf
size: 16-inch diameter x 2.75-inches high

I came into this world drumming and have been birthing drums for the last 30 years since I was apprenticed by my teacher.  How I approach my drum making art is through intuitive inquiry and contemplation.  I allow the elements of wood and skin to inform me of what wants to come through as art.  There is much spirit within the wood and skin; everything holds meaning for me and a big part of my spiritual practice.
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The drum is universal and considered sacred in many cultures dating back to the neolithic age and beyond.  The drum represents the ‘voice of our Mother earth’ and She is the earth.

When I considered responding to this call, my first thought was; ‘We as a mass consciousness have truly lost our right relationship to our earth Mother.  For We are the earth and We are sick and broken—hence why we are now dealing with climate change and COVID, etc.  After a number of sleepless nights and insight received, I realized that our Mother earth wanted to be a part of this show, that She wanted ‘Her voice’ in the room.

My process:  I always paint something red in the inner hoop of the drum to honour the animal that gave its life to become a drum—also an honouring of the ‘blood of the Mother’, and a re-birthing to become a drum as wood + skin are in essence, living, breathing beings.  Also, in the inner hoop are over 350 burned-in prayers.
The ‘bones’ of the drum: Local yellow cedar is sacred to these lands: it offers protection, cleansing and is known as the ‘world tree’. 

The ‘voice’ of the drum: Goat spirit holds the energy of strength, trust and standing one’s ground for Mother earth.  I have dyed the goat skin in natural plant dyes and the gold leaf dot/poppy flower placed on the drum’s center represents ‘the compacted energy of the universe before the first sound’… or, the ‘point from which creation begins.’ It also represents renewal and remembrance and honours the Slavic half of my ancestry.  There is also a ‘wound’ that has showed up on Her face, within the hide.

The colour red is significant in ancient womyn’s frame drums which were often painted a red ochre representing the earth Mother, women’s blood mysteries, fertility and birth.  This drum is played with the hands/fingers and one’s voice.
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I invite you to engage/play/sing with this drum and sound our Mother’s voice.  What does She have to say?  It is my hope that my drum birthing art helps us to reconnect to our earth Mother, to once again, hear Her sacred voice, as we once did. She is indeed our Source, not a resource, for we wouldn’t be here without Her!


I wish to thank all those within the beautiful community in which we live… who helped to bring this dear drum into being…
Joanie Wright, my life-long partner for her loving support + beautiful hands, Jan Pullinger, Louse Rebelle, Heather Menzies, Joke Mensink, Anita Jackel, Allannah Dow and Carol Ferguson and GAHC crew for saying yes — i couldn’t have done it without you!

This is a big ceremonial drum on a 20-inch maple hoop with a strong moose spirit that was plant-dyed in a rich, wine-red… the hoop is stained + finished, with the inner hoop stained red ochre + wood-burned with prayers, honouring the moose who gave its life to become this sacred drum… to be re-birthed with new life, spirit + sacred sound…

The mallet is from a found arbutus branch, finished + burned with a suede pocket…. the back of the drum is finished in a rainbow yarn wrap + black felt handle… Painted on the front in acrylics is an open red rose… tied to the back of the drum is a small wild turkey feather - of which i found on the ground next to the soaking bin, the morning of July 22nd (during her second birthing)… wild turkey holds the energy of ‘shared blessings’ and ‘harvest’ - marking the fire festival of Lughnasadh, the time of the first harvest on the Celtic wheel of life (which happens August 1st every year)...

I fastened to the top/sides of the drum, a hand-made 'blessing' scarf.  The scarf is attached is removable, if needed.  Drums from the Siberian regions of Russia often have cloths or scarves (khadags) attached to their drums that are used for blessing…. when the drum is played with the intention of 'drawing down/in the spirits' or 'drawing down/in blessing power', the blessings or healing power pours… cloths tied to drums can also be used  to transfer this spirit power... ie., during a healing ceremony, face each of the four directions in turn, including the upper sky + lower earth powers, drum and ask for blessings to come into your drum in aid of the person you are offering the healing work for…

I have also infused the drum with the 2nd degree Reiki symbol, ‘Choku Rei’... which means, “place the power of the universe here now”... making this is a ‘healing sacred drum’ that holds good healing intention...

About the spirit of moose… One of the most obvious things that a moose animal totem symbolizes is immense strength + power... the sheer size of this animal gives it a certain prestige. This isn’t an animal that you want to upset. The strength of the male moose can also symbolize bravery and courage. They aren’t afraid to fight for what they want, even if it could result in a broken antler or death... other traits are... gentle, strong, brave, dominating, power-full, courageous, fast, enduring, agile, communal, graceful, adaptive…

I was guided to birth this sacred drum over six weeks ago and it’s been quite the journey for both of us… and, i know that She had her own journey - i was merely her hands in Her becoming… 

I also like to note that this sacred drum was birthed during the Lion’s Gate Activation Portal that happens every year in the astrological sign of Leo between July 26 through to August 12th... 

I began during the Pisces full moon in early July (2020), the process of soaking a very strong Moose hide… which had been cut from the upper middle shoulder part of the animal - probably the thickest part… i was thrilled to be working with a hide that held the backbone line through what would be the center of the drum - this doesn’t happen often as i attempt to use all parts of a hide, so as to not waste...

i was also experimenting with a new dye vat mixed of tumeric + other natural elements - mostly as an experiment to see what effect i may see, wondering how this moose hide would turn out… I was also dying some rattle heads in my red dye vat... and, to stop the dye process with the rattle heads, i transferred them from the red bin to the new tumeric bin.  I noticed the next morning that the rattle heads had stained the moose hide with large spots of red… “Oh, stink!” i said, “i guess this drum wants to be red”.. so i simply moved the hide over to the red vat.  

She was birthed not long after, however, i failed to pull her tight enough where the drum just wouldn’t come in to her voice… so, i sat with her for about two weeks hoping that she would eventually come into voice… disappointed i questioned many times if this drum was even meant to be… was i no longer strong enough to birth such a strong + big drum?  After many days sitting with this, i chose to take the drum apart and re-birth her all over again… something was definitely nudging me to not give up...

The morning i returned her moose hide to the soaking bin, i noticed a small turkey feather had fallen right next to the bin… i picked it up knowing that this spirit held special significance to this cycle of Lughnasadh...

What i didn’t know at that time until later, that this morning was July 22nd… the Feast of Mary Magdalene… hmmmnnn… interesting as it seemed that this drum was being divinely guided to perhaps, become an honouring sacred drum to the Magdalene + the divine feminine… ah ha!  She was calling me or prompting this process… it seemed right that she was to re-birthed...

I knew some about this beautiful goddess that represents divine love and was compelled to research some more the Magdalene… the one symbol that represents Her, that kept coming up, was the Rose… i thought wow, knowing that the rose is one of, if not the highest vibrational flowers/plant...

Rose is sacred...she is the closest thing to love in tangible form. Literally.  Her vibration is measured at 320 MHz.  She is as high as it gets in terms of ‘things we can actually see…’ and more...

During a Virgo new moon she was ready to birthed again, this time, after her drying gestation, she did come into finding her voice and my heart was thrilled… i have to admit she is a heavy drum because of her size + weight of the hide… her sound is different than any other drums i have birthed… she holds a good deep sound + resonates much healing energy out… even without playing Her!

In ceremony i painted her face with a large red rose during a Leo new moon on August 17/18th when i received a message, i feel from the Magdalene herself that this, Her sacred ceremonial drum is to sound the return of Her becoming… the return of the Divine Feminine… to sound + hold the intention of humanity to once again return to honouring our blessed earth Mother as our Source… to remember Her… to Respect Her… to love Her - for we wouldn’t be here without Her!

An added note… I was taught by a couple of teachers (one being, the wonderful Djembe drummer + feminist, Ubaka Hill) to never, ever ‘beat’ my drum… as we know, the sacred drum represents ‘Mother’ + the voice of the Mother and She has been raped, beaten + abused for far too long enough… perhaps we can watch our language we use about the sacred drum... knowing that our ‘words’ hold power + intention = our words create… also, i never call my mallet a ‘beater’... ‘cause when we deconstruct that word, ‘beater’ to...“beat - her”... knowing this i am mindful to longer call my mallet or stick that name… i also choose to ‘play’ my drum versus ‘beat’ or ‘beating’’ my drum...

Also, looking close up to this drum, you may notice that her hide may look somewhat ‘beaten up’… it has not.  Though, i believe that ‘Mary’ is perhaps showing us that the Mother is done with being abused + beaten up... and the marks + imperfections in the hide, remind us of that…

This sacred Ceremonial drum has found Her caretaker... if you have interest in my sacred work please, don’t hesitate to contact me  or visit my spirit art drums shop >>

blessed be + brightest blessings…
i am honoured to be offering this, my sacred work, thank you...
weaver x (((o)))

• all photos + video by weaver © 2020 copyright...

i lovingly birthed this sacred red drum during the recent Capricorn waning crescent moon last week...

She is on a stained + finished 16-inch maple lightweight hoop... i painted her face with the waning crescent moon in gold acrylics on a beautiful dyed red elk spirit...

The inside of the hoop is stained in red ochre... the handle is finished in a soft red felt and the four-direction ties wrapped in gold sinew... the mallet handle is wood burned with a dyed red moose leather top pocket... 

During the birthing process i found her spirit to be one very happy drum... and i really enjoyed birthing her!  

I always open sacred space before i ever birth any drums or rattles - to create a sacred space for my guidance including our blessed earth Mother to come in + assist me... and it is this guidance that always leads the way...

It’s interesting... since birthing my own personal drum over 25 years ago, i have found that every  drum and that includes red drums that i have birthed, they all find their own voice... and i can’t control that - i have to get out of the way... oh, there have been times when i’ve been lax and have attempted to control or push how a drum is to birthed... and, often, most times, the birthing process ends up so much harder and sometimes, i have had to re-birth the drum all over again... because of my pushing... 

So, i have learned a lot over the years of being a drum maker... a drum birther... it is imperative that i hold + create this birthing process as a very sacred act... as i am birthing a new drum that represents the voice of blessed earth Mother... who am i to think it’s ‘me’ doing this work?.. it is my dear Mother including all the guidance i have called in within my sacred container who is actually creating this sacred work... i am only the ‘hands’ making + birthing a sacred drum... and in this case, this beautiful red drum...

With this particular “red drum”... once i was prepared, the hide was complete being dyed red + rehydrated as a living breathing spirit, my tools ready and my own sacred self holding the space, i was guided to simply get quiet... and meditate along with the pulse, the heartbeat of my dear Mother... i simply asked her beautiful, resonant voice to move through me to birth this lovely red drum... in spirit essence, together "we" are re-birthing/resurrecting this beautiful spirit... knowing the animal/animistic has preciously given their life to become this sacred drum... to become the blessed voice of our dear Mother...

So... i got my own self out of the way to allow her stunning spirit to birth Her own way...

The women’s red drum is very ancient holding much spirit... womyn’s spirit... representing the blood of our dear Mother and all women... birthing, rites of passage, our monthly blood cycles... our women’s mysteries... women have always drummed and are known to be the first drummers... women used to paint their drums with red ochre... that colour of red that comes directly from our earth mother... to represent our blood mysteries... our red drums were also used to invoke the great Goddess... Mother Gaia...  and we as women are now reclaiming our rites, our ceremonies celebrating who we are as womyn who deeply care about our dear Mother goddess...

i wrote more about how the herstory and spirit of the red drum revealed Herself to me here on my blog >>  

This red drum is awaiting her new care-taker to come forward when the time is right... If you would like to learn more about this sweet women’s red drum + have a wee listen, please feel free to visit my drum birthing shop page >>

Also... if you would like to place a custom red drum or other type of drum, please don’t hesitate to contact me... pricing for my custom drum birthing is on my shop page here >>

I also offer sacred drum birthing sessions twice a year (in the spring + fall) and private groups... For more info + upcoming dates about my drum birthing workshop intensives please visit this page here >>

with brightest blessings + much love...
weaverx (((o)))

In ancient times of the Matriarchy, the drummers were women.   Our herstory proves it in the 100s + 100s of ancient goddess images collected + documented by frame drummer Layne Redmond (rip 1952-2013). 

I was moved to create and birth a 'bee frame drum'... for the annual anniversary 'for the bees' art show held at 'The Hive', here on Gabriola Island.  This frame drum is my honouring of the sacred bee - for, we wouldn't be here without the bees.
- here's my last year's 'for the bees' submission at the Hive >>

This design is based on the ancient frame drum which was also played as our women ancestors did + still do all over the planet.

This drum has resonators installed in the back so, when played, the frame drum buzzes, sounding and calling the spirit of the sacred bees.  This type of 'Bendir' drum is a descendant of the ancient bee priestesses' frame drums, which hummed the world into bee-ing.  It is played in the old traditional upright 'frame drum' style with the hands (see goddess image to the right)... 

On the front is painted the Hexagon symbol - of all the geometric shapes in sacred geometry, the hexagon is arguably the most powerful and fascinating + ancient.   It is found in many spiritual symbols such as the Star of David, the Tree of Life in the Kabbalah and the Hagal Rune composed by ancient tribes of northern Europe, and so much more.

The frame drum is birthed in white Goat rawhide.  The spirit of Goat helps us and the bees to 'stand our ground'... and helps us with sure-footedness and balance.... We can call on the spirit of goat when we need independence coupled with plenty.... and, when we are ready to take on something new, and there is no need for guilt.  Goat spirit helps with gaining confidence and firm cornerstones for personal or spiritual development.  For those who find themselves stuck or wholly misplaced, the spirit of goat gets you moving again - Let that energy take you where you need to be for finding answers.  Goat may not move swiftly, but slow and steady is best when you start losing balance... Once you’re on your way with goat guiding, you’ll find the determination necessary for success.
Note: This frame drum size birthed... 11.5 inches in diameter with a maple wood hoop in goat hide, painted in gold + red acrylics...

I'm very proud how my first traditional 'women's' frame drum came into 'bee-ing'... and the process and connecting in with the sacred bees taught me a lot... I'm also excited to report that this special sacred drum has found it's new caretaker, being a part of a thriving women's counselling practice in Vancouver, BC... 

If you wish to have a sacred frame drum birthed like this one or other, i invite you to visit my drum shop here on this page >>  I am open to discussing what's possible and honoured to birth a special sacred drum especially for you or your loved one... 

with brightest blessings... weaver x (((o)))

Click the images above to enlarge + below, a short video to have a listen to this bee drum...

Available, one of a kind - my own design... Custom orders welcome
12 x 12 inch Square Ocean Drum, Vegan  (2-sided)
- $440 + shipping/handling extra... SOLD
Birthed, painted + signed by weaver on Gabriola Island, BC - with original abstract acrylic paintings on both sides...  This unique ocean drum looks and sounds wonderful (see video below) + no animal hides were used... This drum is great for ocean meditation, shamanic journeying - including healing and clearing... Numerology regarding this drum is 12 x 12 = 144 = 9, which is a completion number... For more info about the significance of the number 9, click here >>
- Contact weaver to purchase this drum by interac e-transfer or money order...
- Custom orders are welcome, each painting side will vary where each drum is unique...
- Please expect 3-4 weeks to ship for custom orders...
- Click on images below to enlarge to view detail...

Click video above to play... so you can hear this ocean drum...
​note... you'll also hear bird sounds (the flicker, drummer) in the background as we shot this video outside on our deck...  :o)

One of a kind... This unique ceremonial Reiki 'love' drum was birthed, painted + signed by weaver on Gabriola Island, BC...
- 16 x 16 inches in diameter and height - with handle for holding or hanging...
- Materials... recycled wood, deer + goat rawhide, salmon skin on mallet, upholstery tacks, basalt stone pebbles from Sandwell Beach, stick from Drumbeg Beach and acrylics...
- Being a two-sided drum, when one plays one hide-side, the sound reflects off the 2nd side-hide thus, creating a third sound = a true shamanic drum...
- Below, is a video so you can have a listen to this wonderful healing drum...
- Please click the thumbnail photos below to enlarge, showing more detail...

This special drum hung in the gallery at The Hive Emporium on Gabriola Island for their recent art show called, "Love is the Seventh Wave"...

​It's been fun to offer this sacred drum as an interactive piece to invite folk to 'drum up their love' in the moment... This is a powerful 'Intention + Dreaming' drum...

My artist statement...

In our sorted history, the drum was often used as an instrument of war... not no more... Let's Drum Up Some Love!
 
With all the heated global and political events of late, we're all feeling deeply that the world and everyone could use a lot more love right NOW...
 
The drum represents the voice of our Mother's Earth's loving, resonant heart – we wouldn't be here without her.  One of the best ways to connect to her heart and our own heart is through the sacred healing heart-beat of the drum.
 
To see more love in world, love begins from within ourselves... so, let’s drum up some love... i invite you to get still within your own present moment... connect with your own heart-love-feeling and choose to gently drum your love-vibration out into the world - to allow your love to go wherever it needs to go... and love will return 10-fold and more.... x (((o)))
 
other meanings of materials + symbols chosen...

• rawhides... deer helps us to connect to our hearts with gentleness, kindness + compassion... goat helps us stand our ground in balance, steadiness and trust.
• symbol on goat side... 2nd degree Reiki symbol called the Choku Rei - is used as a healing symbol which means, "Place the Power of the Universe Here."
• symbol on deer side... an ancient Celtic Triskel (the 3), representing movement, action + revolution from the center (heart) out...
• basalt stone pebbles on the mallet wood handle, which help ease chaos + ground us in the earth... salmon skin on mallet handle, determination, strength and wisdom.... 

Click on the short video below to have a listen, as my friend Mark plays this drum 'hand-style'... this drum can also be played with a mallet... As Mark plays, the drum is hanging though, it can also be played sitting down on one's lap or on a stand, etc... enjoy!