Dreamcatcher - from Mystical Handicraft to Spiritual Art

Album Link: Lillian's Dreamcatcher

After trying different techniques of making dreamcatchers, I wondered if I can "paint" on a dreamcatcher, making use of its original net structure. The idea was inspired when I was staring at a dreamcatcher, examining its perfect and amazing structure, and suddenly I thought I saw some sacred patterns out of it. A beautiful flower emerged from the net surface, and then a spiral.

I'm such a doer that I used colorful beads to outline the net of a dreamcather that evening, and made a work symbolizing the Galaxy.

That was the first time realized the net structure itself can resemble so many patterns, as long as I let the imagination run.


Then, of course, I must "draw" a lotus, my favorite flower, on a dreamcatcher, and made it a beautiful accessory. This time, I utilized the net structure completely, using interlaced threads to present layers of petals.


But my ambition didn't stop there. In addition to patterns that standard structure can resemble, I also wanted to create more interesting images that are not bound by the web but still following its nature.

That's when variation of normal knitting technique comes into place. One difficulty in "drawing" on a dreamcatcher is that there's no "long" straight line on the net, although the net itself is composed of many short thread segments. However, with advanced knitting techniques, different shapes can be formed.

Hence, two more artworks with spiritual themes were born - We Are One and Tree of Life.

I was so amazed by the outcome and the possibility of dreamcatcher creation, and was literally thinking about making a series of dreamcatcher collection on the theme of spirituality and sacred geometry.

Later, I've decided to return to simplicity, and made the Vertex by only shifting the point of threads intertwining with each other.

One friend saw the work and asked: "Is it possible to make a Tai-Chi-style dreamcatcher?"

"It's feasible, theoretically. But I'm afraid the shape won't be perfect due to the nature of dreamcatcher's web structure. I'll need more time to think about it.", I responded

Well, I mentioned earlier that I'm a doer, and so of course, I found a way to solve the problem without delay. I was holding the Vertex dreamcatcher and pondering how to blunt the edges and present Tai Chi's round characteristic, and then it stroke me that by shifting the crossover point from the middle to one side, the shape formed by the consecutive line segments is rounder and smoother.

Therefore, using the same technique of making the Vertex, I completed Tai Chi dreamcatcher as well. Here I present the ultimate integration of Eastern (Chinese) and Western (Native North American) traditions and cultures. Black intertwines with white, forming a perfect circle, just like the harmonic combination of Eastern and Western spirituality.

Dreamcatcher Evolution - Transformation of Butterfly

Album link: 3D Dreamcatcher - Transformation of Butterfly

Finally I'll hold my first handicraft workshop in two weeks!! In the workshop, I will show the students how to make a dream catcher, and how their creativity can be integrated into their works.

I started to learn how to make a dreamcatcher when I was on my working holidays in the UK 2 years ago. At the time I didn't have proper materials at hand, and therefore I had to use something else instead. For the hoop, I used tiny bracelet in replace of willow; for the web itself, I used elastic thread bought in the shop in stead of sinew or cordage made from plants; as to the feather....although I could pick feathers everywhere in Brighton, they were too big for the tiny bracelet, and so I'd decided to use everything I had as the decoration.

For example, once I used alphabet beads and spelled my friend's name, and another time I even made a Chinese know and tied it under the dream catcher. I was so proud of that work - perfect combination of Eastern and Western tradition.

After coming back to Taiwan, finding proper materials for making a dream catcher is not a problem anymore; but still, I love to use bracelets to make dreamcatchers since the results look more elegant and exquisite. You may hang it above the bed as before, or you may wear it as an special accessory or necklace. I had add ingredient of FASHION in to the traditional mystical dreamcathers.

The web of a traditional dreamcatcher looks like a blossomed flower, with all its petals touching the edge of the hoop and layer by layer crossing each other. 

However, when I looked up information on the internet in preparation for my workshop, I've came across different styles of dreamcatchers and weaving techniques. Hence, I started to look for the works I like, and figured out myself how to make them. I love trying new things, especially advanced techniques.

At first, I only changed the way I weaved the web or decorated it, which resulted in different looks of dreamcatchers.

Then, I went further, and added another ring into it. With two hoops, the possibility is limitless, and I only taste it a little bit so far.

Last night, I've decided to leap to a higher level, and turned the world of dreamcatchers from 2D into 3D. I combined 2 bracelets together to form the skeleton of sphere, and began my weaving inside of it. I didn't plan carefully how I wanted the work to look like; my idea was to make each facet symmetrical and hope the thread tension may hold the shape. Also, to make the work more interesting, I added some beads, just to highlight the petal shape.

The result was a big surprise!! The web itself presented as a curved surface in topology, and the beads dotted into a beautiful butterfly!! It was totally beyond me imagination; I had never thought this idea could turn out to be something so beautiful.


On top of that, since the dreamcatcher is in 3D, it shows difference faces at different angles. From one angle, it looks like a butterfly spreading the wings, and from another angle, it looks like a tunnel or a butterfly net...well...hopefully it doesn't come for my butterfly. But it does make a good dream-CATCHER, isn't it?

I love this work very much; like the transformation of butterfly, I've made a breakthrough again. I proudly share this work to you :)

The Blue-on-Gold Beading Evening Gown

Album Link: Beading Dress

The only day I had bought a material package of a beading dress, just so I could spend enough money to get a VIP card from the handicraft material shop. I had been hoping to make one beading dress since a long time, but I'd never tried it because it seemed to take too much time and effort...and it did!!

So, I'd got the pack and started to string the beads one by one according to the instruction. It didn't take long before I became bored and decided to make some twist. The original design of this beading evening gown was all old, with a bold V-shaped strap on the back - not quite my style.

Therefore, at some point, I added some blues to this gold dress. First, the waist line, then dragging down two curves to make the gown more alive. And of course, for the most appealing hem, I decorated with blue beads as well; now the dress looked more interesting. In the end, for the back part, I'd made two slim straps crossing each other. 

Voila, here is my customized beading evening gown~~Let's see it from all angles!!

Twinkle Twinkle Beading Hearts

Album Link: Beading Hearts

It's a bit late, but I still need to record this important milestone in my handmade chronicle - for the first time in my life, I literally sold my handicraft works in a creative market!!

I remember just before last Christmas, one friend asked me if I wanted to join her and sell something at a one-afternoon-only creative market. Sure!! Selling my handmade works has been always one of my dreams, and since the chanced had fallen on me by fate, I would take it for sure!!

However, after the first excitement had faded away, anxiety and self-doubt took the place. What am I going to make and sell? Are my works qualified and good enough to sell as products? What if no one bought my handicrafts?

I had spent weeks before I had finally calmed myself down and made decision about the product I was going to sell.

The inspiration came from the Christmas gift I made Christmas. It was a Christmas-style beading heart with classic look. And actually I loved it so much that I decided to make a Christmas boot for my friend instead, and so I could keep the beading heart to myself.


Since the heart was so lovable, I thought it would be popular and attracting a lot of female customers as well.

After the idea was confirmed and acknowledged by two other partners, I started to work days and nights non-stop for almost two weeks, and finally made about 20 beading hearts. Each heart had different and unique design. For example, the heart on the left is like a piece of jewelry, with deep and rich color tone but decorated by a golden touch in the middle. This is my favorite one.

On the big day, we set up the stand early and prepared to sell our stuff. My beading hearts were not so popular as expected; however my other product, Runic Lucky Charm, did. Nevertheless, it's all about
dream-come-true and the experiences on the way.

Although that might be a one-time-deal, the important thing was, I proved my handicraft works valuable, and someone did think them worthy of the price I set. Who could ask for anything more?

I've still got some beading hearts left; thus if you want to buy one, feel free to contact me. They can be used as pendants for key chains, accessories, or necklaces. Want your own unique and personalized beading heart? Contact me SOON!!

Autumn's Greetings from Europe

Album Link: Autumn's Greeting

Greetings! I'm back, after 16 months of dreamlike Britain life.

The last month staying in Europe, I wasn't in the UK; instead, I went to France to enjoy country life, and experienced European autumn with all my heart and body.

Everything was so colorful; trees turned from green to yellow to orange to red. At one look, you would see trees in all kinds of colors, just a carnival of mother nature.

While I was in Taiwan, I loved to pick up red maple leaves and put them in the books. They are the marks of autumn, and the most outstanding representatives of this cool and lively season. In Europe, the red leaves are even more prominent and attractive. They are red, but with different layers; the red is redder, almost crimson, like shiny rubies lying on the ground, waiting to be found.

Therefore, I picked up several red leaves every time I went out, and preserved them carefully. Before coming back, I already had a small collection of beautiful autumn leaves. Then I decided to make them into bookmarks, as souvenirs for my friends back in Taiwan; I named them as "Autumn's Greeting from Europe". I love Europe very much, and I hope to bring some pieces back to share my love with my beloved friends :)

Moreover, the red leave bookmarks are not just simple; I added more elements onto them - clovers, one- or two-leave clovers to be exact.

I was in a forest one day, and found many small clovers by the side of the road. My first thought was to find a clover with four leaves, as we all know that presents good luck. Unfortunately I wasn't lucky enough; however, when I was searching for the four-leave clover, I found the shape of a one-leave clover is like a heart, and that of a two-leave clover is like a butterfly. Then I thought: since I can't find my lucky four-leave clovers, why not pick some "clover hearts" and "clover butterflies"?

Hence, I brought home a handful of clovers that day, and then put them on the red leave bookmarks as further decorations. The end result was positive; the clovers really made those bookmarks more interesting and playful, and the green color balanced the whole tune.


I brought the bookmarks, 20 pieces in total, back to Taiwan, and intend to give them to my friends in Taiwan. So, my friend, contact me soon if you a piece of autumn from Europe; it's one of the kind in this world!!