I had a request to make a video about how to prepare a sticky medium I use when making my Huichol i spired bead art. Indigenous Huichols use Compeche wax which is a natural product from the hives of a unique kind of stingless bee in Mexico. I don’t have access to that kind of wax — well I do, but it is very expensive, so I make my medium from a combination of pine sap and beeswax. Here is my process and where I either gather or purchase materials.
I do prefer to gather my own sap when possible because it helps me meditate of the spirit of nature that is being infused into the work as I make it. It also feels more personal. It connects me to the good memory of gathering the material from nature, just as my forbears would have, and those memories become part of the art as well.
THE ANCIENT SOUTHWEST 
Angeline,
Thank you for taking the time to show us how to make the resin/wax medium for making Huichol art. This will allow me to experiment with another art form, as a retiree. Too bad, there isn’t, or someone hasn’t thought about coming us with a mixture already made in which, all you do is heat up the pan, add the chunks in, melt, and viola…begin to work. Nice idea!!!! Thanks.
I do know somebody on Etsy who makes cakes of this medium pre-made if you are interested. Her shop is KarBenKreations.
Thanks for the reply. Will definitely look into possibly buying some of the medium you had mentioned from KarBen Kreations. I enjoyed reading about the caves. Very interesting. Keep safe.
Hi! Could you please tell me where you got the stand for the jaguar head? I bought one just like that and I’d like to display it. Also what tool do you use to apply the beads? Thanks!
Christine
Hi. I bought that Jaguar with the stand already attached. I use an awl to apply the size 11 czech seed beads. The Huicholes use guitar strings to keep and apply the beads. I tried that but I kept spilling all the beads off the string. I like the awl sold by Etsy shop KarBenKreations.
Thanks for the response!! I really appreciate it.