There is great history behind the dreamcatcher. One common version of this legend is that the dreamcatcher's web entangles the bad dreams and holds them there til morning, where the sun melts them and sends them on their way. In turn, the web catches the good dreams, and the feathers in the middle of the web allow them to slide down to the dreamer below. There are several different versions of this legend, all essentially carrying the same message: the dreamcatcher is a symbol of all that is kind and gentle. It is said that dreamcatchers were hung in tepees to bring good dreams to all who slept there, and they were hung over babies' cradles to bring the baby only good dreams. And those traditions survive to this day.
Dreamcatchers are not only known as a good-luck token, but also as a decoration of great beauty. They can be designed to suit one's beliefs, spirituality, color schemes, or any other specifications, which makes them a wonderful gift for weddings, baby showers, and any time you want to wish well. They are a unique gift idea, and you can be sure that the recipient will not receive two identical dreamcatchers.
The creation of dreamcatchers can require minimal to more involved materials, depending upon the skill of the crafter and the desired final effect. The outer ring can be made of steel rings (found readily in a craft store) or green willow branches. Most often the branches are left natural, but the rings are oftened covered with suede lacing. The inner web is typically created with artifical sinew, which is a thin waxed cord. When the web is complete, feathers and beads can be added. I've also seen dreamcatchers decorated with seashells, which creates a beautiful effect as well. Webs can also be embellished with wools and skins, which can be found in the beading section of your local craft store. Dreamcatchers can range from very simple to very ornate, depending on the look the crafter is trying to achieve.
For ideas on creating dreamcatchers, try these sites: http://www.newebgroup.com/mall/crafts/dc... or http://members.tripod.com/adm/popup/road... For another version of the dreamcatcher legend, check this site out: http://www.interl.net/~tnindian/dream.ht... Here are a couple of good sites for variations on dreamcatcher styles: http://www.sacredart.com/ornamentals/bar... http://www.usit.com/recycler/dcmain.html, and http://www.wildthunder.com/dream.html.
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