The Mandella is a variation of the war shield used by the plains Indians. Influenced by the herders of the Southwest, it was believed to protect the family while the man was away.
   Originally they were made from buffalo hides and eagle feathers, however, these materials are no longer available. The ones individually handcrafted by Creations by Crouch are made with as many natural products as possible and every effort is made to give them "life".
   All artwork is done on 10# canvas, and then hand assembled using leather, lace, feathers, conchos and various fetishes to coincide with the design.

   Below you will find examples of Mandellas that we have created for others. They have all gone to their respective homes and are shown here as examples of what we can create for you.

   This Mandella was designed to bring special happiness into the home. In the center is the "Medicine Man’s Eye" which symbolizes Wisdom and Watchfulness. It is then divided into the "Four Sacred Directions". To the east (the open door) is the Sun: the emissary of the Great Spirit, without which life on earth would perish. To the west, the land of crossing-over, is the "Butterfly" which symbolizes everlasting life. To the north, which is our father the Sky, are opposing arrows, to ward off evil spirits. To the south, which is our mother Earth, is the Thunderbird, also called the sacred bearer of happiness unlimited. It is 16 inches (40 centimeters) in diameter and 30 inches (76 centimeters) in length. The designs were put on with herbs, turquoise chips, feathers, beads and paint. The sale price was $125.00.

   A prairie fire in the background gives light to a Black Panther. The Panther was meticulously placed over the painting with seed beads. He measured nine inches from nose to tail and is on a canvas that is 14 inches (35 centimeters) in diameter. The overall length is 36 inches (91 centimeters). The sale price was $165.00.

   "The Sacred Bearer of Happiness Unlimited" painted on a 12-inch (30-centimeter) diameter canvas. Top right and left are the "Rain Clouds" symbolizing Good Prospects. Overall length is 24 inches (60 centimeters). The sale price was $85.00.

   An eight-inch (20-centimeter) sun, encircled by 4 - 5 inch (10 - 13 centimeters) feathers, was designed with sesame seeds, pepper corns, beads and turquoise chips. The overall length is 20 inches (50 centimeters). The sale price was $115.00.

   A white buffalo painted with acrylic on a 10-inch (25-centimeter) square canvas. The overall length is 28 inches (71 centimeters). The sale price was $75.00.

   A 16-inch (40-centimeter) acrylic painting of the native “Sun” has an overall length of 28 inches (71 centimeters). This beautiful piece sold for $65.00.

   An 8-inch (20-centimeter) oil painting of the ocean includes a shark, a stingray and a seal. The great Orca is overlaid in seed beads. Embellished with a starfish, feathers, crab claws and sand dollars for an overall length of 36 inches (91 centimeters). The sale price was $145.00.

   The ghostly image of a cougar seems to appear out from the mist in this oil painting on a 12-inch (30-centimeters) canvas. This Mandella has an overall length of 26 inches (66 centimeters). The sale price was $95.00.

   This 10-inch (25-centimeter) diameter oil-painted background features an owl overlaid in acrylics. This Mandella has an overall length of 30 inches (76 centimeters). The sale price was $110.00.

   An albino long-eared owl painted on an eight-inch (20-centimeter) diameter canvas with an overall length of 16 inches (40 centimeters). The sale price was $75.00.

   This oil painting of an eagle on canvas was glued to leather and then mounted in a hoop 10 inches (25 centimeters) in diameter. The overall length is 24 inches (60 centimeters). The sale price was $130.00.