In addition to the flutes currently available for sale from Turtle Mound Flutes and our custom flutes, the following are some of our other creations.

More Flutes from Turtle Mound Flutes

	(Sogwili)
(Cherokee for "Horse")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the "high" C minor pentatonic scale. The fetish is carved from mesquite and sports a mane donated by my sister's horse Junior Bug. About this horse she says:

He's a small compact quarter horse that has a nice smooth ride and a beautiful head. I use him pretty much for trail riding. He's generally level headed and quick on his feet. He's been hauled all around Central Texas for trail rides and goes any where you ask him too. His only real problem though is with water. It seems that once he gets into the water, if it's more than a couple of feet deep, he'll lay down in it. I guess on hot days, it must feel pretty good to him, but it's not too good for the leather saddle or the digital camera hanging off the side of the saddle! I've had Junior about 4 years now. He was only 3 or 4 when I got him, so he's still on the young side as far as the rest of the group.

Just below the nest is a burned & painted scene that wraps completely around the flute of three galloping Arabians before a lake. Near the foot is a rearing horse burned in silhouette before a burned & painted lightning bolt. This scene also wraps completely around the flute. One more image of a horse's head is burned at the top near the mouthpiece. The lace holding the horse head fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. Because of the way these images wrap around the flute, it is hard to take pictures that do it justice. This is truly a beautiful flute with powerful energy from sogwili. (April 2009)

	(Tsowasga)
(Cherokee for "Red-Winged Blackbird")

This little sassafras flute is tuned to the "high" Cm pentatonic scale. The fetish is carved from South American cocobolo. A scene with a male red-winged blackbird rising from the brush and a pair of young birds down below is burned and painted into the flute body just below the nest area. Another male bird, with the characteristic red wing peaks and sitting in a bush,  is burned and painted into the body near the foot. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. (February 2009)

	(Walela)
(Cherokee for "Hummingbird")

This black walnut flute is tuned to the "High" Cm pentatonic scale. Birds are considered messengers. The flying hummingbird fetish is carved from Alaskan yellow cedar. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are also burned & painted into the body of this flute below the nest area and in the area between the direction holes and the bottom playing hole. A small feeding bird is also burned in just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (April 2009)

	(Totsuwa)
(Cherokee for "Redbird" or "Cardinal")

This Alaskan yellow cedar flute is tuned to the "high" Cm pentatonic scale. The Cherokee consider birds to be messengers, and the redbird (cardinal) is respected for its beauty. This flute's fetish is a cardinal carved from African padauk. The beautiful color of this African wood naturally captures Totsuwa's color, accented by a painted beak. An image of the cardinal is burned and painted into the flute body just below the nest and another just above the direction holes at the foot. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from cocoa-dyed deerskin. (February 2009)

	(Daksi)
(Cherokee for "Tortoise")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the "high" Cm pentatonic scale. The gopher tortoise used as a model for this flute has a nest right under our bedroom window of our Florida home, and the photos above show one entry to her nest in the background. The tortoise fetish is carved from South American cocobolo with crushed turquoise inlay, and turquoise chips inlayed for the eyes. There is an image of a gopher tortoise burned into the flute body just below the nest area. A turtle symbol is burned and painted between the direction holes and the lowest finger hole. There is also a pattern burned and painted all around the back side at the level of this design. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (February 2009)

	(Awohali)
(Cherokee for "Eagle")

This eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the B minor pentatonic scale. The eagle is a revered bird among many Native peoples, including the Cherokee. The fetish is a bald eagle head, carved from Alaskan Yellow Cedar. A bald eagle head is burned into the body of this flute just below the nest area. The photo above only suggests the detail of this bird's feathers. Another bald eagle in flight is burned, with white-painted highlights, at the foot. The silhouette of yet another eagle in flight is burned just below the mouthpiece, with a full moon inlayed in crushed abalone shell.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. [Click here to hear a sound-clip of this flute.]  (May 2016)

	(Tsulasgi)
(Cherokee for "Alligator")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the Bb (B-flat) minor pentatonic scale. The fetish is an baby alligator carved from South American tulipwood. A full alligator, viewed from above, is burned into the flute body below the nest area and an alligator head, cruising through a Florida wetland (depicted by turquoise inlay) is burned above the direction holes near the foot of this flute. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. The grain in this flute, especially apparent in the full body view in the top photo,  is particularly impressive. This flute would be ideal for someone with somewhat smaller hands, as the holes are relatively close together, but works well for anyone with average sized hands too. (January 2008)

	(Waya)
(Cherokee for "Wolf")

This beautiful little sassafras flute with the Waya (wolf) theme is tuned to the A minor pentatonic scale. It has prominent grain that enhances the wood's beauty. Near the mouthpiece is a turquoise inlay of the wolf paw print. The fetish is a prowling timber wolf, carved from mesquite. A howling wolf's head is burned into the flute body just below the nest area, and the image of a reclining wolf is burned just above the direction holes. The lace holding the fetish to the flute is cut from deerskin..  (March 2010)

	(Yona)
(Cherokee for "Bear")

This Alaskan yellow cedar flute, tuned to the A minor pentatonic scale, sports the very popular Yona (bear) theme. The fetish is a carved standing black bear from black walnut. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dark cocoa-colored dyed deerskin. Images of bears are burned into the body of this flute in three places. Paint highlights all three images, with the grizzly standing in the water the most prominent use of it. The grizzly cub near the mouthpiece is curious about a butterfly that has landed on a rock near him.  (January 2010)

	(Tsulasgi)
(Cherokee for "Alligator")

This is the first flute I've made from mulberry, and the result is stunning. This Tsulasgi (alligator) themed flute is tuned to the [de facto] standard E-minor pentatonic scale. The fetish is an alligator carved from South American cocobolo. A prowling full alligator is burned into the flute body below the nest area and an alligator head, cruising through a Florida wetland is burned above the direction holes near the foot of this flute. A smaller alligator is also burned just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (March 2010)

	(Awohali)
(Cherokee for "Eagle")

This beautiful aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to a very mellow Em pentatonic scale. The mouthpiece and extended endcap are South American purpleheart, with accent rings of white ash. The eagle is a revered bird among many Native peoples, including the Cherokee. The fetish is an eagle in flight, carved from Oregon myrtlewood. An eagle head is burned into the body of this flute just below the nest area and an eagle in flight is burned in at the foot. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (June 2009)

	(Golanuh)
(Cherokee for "Raven")

This little A minor pentatonic tuned flute with the Golanuh (raven) theme is made of beautifully grained cherry wood. The fetish is a stylized raven in flight carved from purpleheart, The scene burned & painted below the nest area is an abstract image of a man reflected as a raven in the water. Below the lowest hole is a scene of a raven, sitting on a branch, looking down at a wolf looking back up. A small flying raven is also burned into the area between the nest and the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (January 2010)

	(Tsulasgi)
(Cherokee for "Alligator")

This beautiful aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the Am pentatonic scale. The fetish is an alligator carved from tulipwood. A small full alligator, viewed from above, is burned into the flute body just below the mouthpiece. Another full body alligator is burned below the nest area and an alligator head, cruising through a Florida wetland (depicted with painted highlights) is burned above the direction holes near the foot of this flute. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (March 2010)

	(Totsuwa)
(Cherokee for "Redbird" or "Cardinal")

This beautiful black walnut flute has some very interesting grain. It is tuned to the A-minor pentatonic scale. The Cherokee consider birds to be messengers, and the redbird (cardinal) is respected for its beauty. This flute's fetish is a cardinal carved from African padauk, selected for its natural red color. An image of the cardinal is burned and painted into the flute body just below the nest and another just above the direction holes at the foot. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from gray-dyed deerskin. (March 2010)

	(Wahuhi)
(Cherokee for "Owl")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the A minor pentatonic scale. This flute's fetish is a great horned owl carved from honey mesquite. The image of a barn owl in flight is burned into the flute body just below the nest area. This flying owl is interesting in how its spread wings wrap almost all the way around the flute body, although not apparent from the photos above. Over the shoulder of this barn owl is the moon, inlayed with crushed abalone shell. A great horned owl sitting on a stump is burned into the flute body at the direction holes. The customer of this custom-order flute provided some stones with special meaning to her that I crushed and used to create the little inlayed markers between the six playing holes. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (March 2010)

	(Saloli)
(Cherokee for "Squirrel")

This sassafras flute has a black walnut mouthpiece and end cap that extends up above the direction holes. It is tuned to the A minor pentatonic scale. This flute's fetish is a feeding red squirrel carved from honey mesquite. The image of a pair of squirrels sharing a pine branch is burned into the flute body just below the nest. Another squirrel, this one a gray squirrel, is burned into the flute just above the direction holes. Slight color is introduce with a little paint on the leaves of branch supporting this squirrel.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (March 2010)

	(Kuhtli)
(Cherokee for "Raccoon")

This sassafras flute has honey mesquite accent rings just below the mouthpiece and a honey mesquite end cap. It is tuned to the A minor pentatonic scale. The fetish, depicting a raccoon emerging from a hollow stump, is carved from honey mesquite. Images of raccoons are also burned into this flute below the nest area (a cute fellow clinging to a branch that's drooping under his weight) and above the direction holes near the foot (peeking into the crotch of a bigger tree). The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (March 2010)

	(Waya)
(Cherokee for "Wolf")

This beautiful little eastern red cedar flute with the Waya (wolf) theme is tuned to the A minor pentatonic scale. It has colorful grain patterns and a couple interesting little knots that enhance the wood's beauty. One knot was a little too big to fill and was hidden beneath turquoise inlay of the wolf paw print. The fetish is new design of a walking wolf, carved from mesquite. A howling wolf's head is burned into the flute body just below the nest area, and the image of a reclining wolf is burned just above the direction holes. The lace holding the fetish to the flute is cut from gray-dyed deerskin..  (January 2010)

	(Daksi)
(Cherokee for "Turtle")

This little sassafras flute with the Daksi (turtle) theme is tuned to the A minor pentatonic scale. When I gave Claire my A-minor Ahwi (deer) flute, I decided to make this one for my personal use. The selection of the Daksi theme was a natural. The sea turtle fetish is carved from cocobolo and is inlayed with Bali coral depicting the plates of the shell. Sea turtle images are burned and painted into the body of this flute just below the nest area and just above the direction holes near the foot. As these turtle images wrap around much of the flute, they are much clearer in real life than they appear in the photos above.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from cocoa-colored dyed deerskin. (January 2010)

	(Tsulasgi)
(Cherokee for "Alligator")

This beautiful aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the Am pentatonic scale. The fetish is an alligator carved from tesota (sometimes known as desert ironwood). A full alligator, viewed from above, is burned into the flute body below the nest area and an alligator head, cruising through a Florida wetland at sunset (depicted with painted highlights) is burned above the direction holes near the foot of this flute. A smaller alligator is also burned just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (April 2009)

	(Tsula)
(Cherokee for "Fox")

This cherry flute is tuned to the A-minor pentatonic scale. This flute's fetish is a red fox carved from African Padauk wood, the red color is the natural color of the wood. The image of a pair of gray fox kits is burned into the flute body just below the nest. A red fox is also burned into the lower area near the foot of this flute. A unique feature of this flute is the real fox tail attached by deerskin lace near the foot of this flute. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is also cut from tanned deerskin. (April 2009)

	(Waya)
(Cherokee for "Wolf")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the "middle" Am pentatonic scale. The fetish is a howling wolf's head carved from North American mesquite. Just below the "nest" is the image of a scene depicting a pair of wolves keeping watch from a high bluff and between the bottom "finger hole" and the "direction holes" near the foot is wolf's head. Another small wolf is burned in just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin.  (January 2009)

	(Tsowasga)
(Cherokee for "Red-Winged Blackbird")

This aromatic eastern cedar flute is tuned to the Am pentatonic scale. The fetish is carved from South American cocobolo. A red-winged blackbird, with the characteristic red wing peaks inlayed with pink coral,  is burned into the body of this flute below the nest area. Near the foot of the flute is a scene with a male bird rising from the brush and a pair of young birds down below. Again the crest of the male bird is inlayed with pink coral for the red color, and a little paint highlights the brush. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (June 2008)

	(Tsula)
(Cherokee for "Fox")

This Alaskan yellow cedar flute is tuned to the Am pentatonic scale. Its fetish is a red fox carved from African Padauk wood, the red color is the natural color of the wood. The image of a pair of gray fox kits is burned into the flute body just below the nest. A red fox is burned into the foot of this flute, below an inlayed pink coral sun. Subtle green paint highlights the grass. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. (August 2008)

	(Golanuh)
(Cherokee for "Raven")

This Alaskan yellow cedar flute has a eastern red cedar mouthpiece and end cap, and is tuned to the Am pentatonic scale. The raven head fetish is carved from South American Cocobolo. One side is a deep cocoa color and the other (shown in the photo above) had deep gold and brown grain. There is a raven head image burned into the flute body below the nest area and a raven with a flower at the foot of this flute. The rose is inlayed with pink coral with malachite leaves. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. (January 2008)

	(Ahwi)
(Cherokee for "Deer")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the "middle" A minor pentatonic scale. The fetish of this flute is a doe's head carved from South American purpleheart. A buck's head is burned into the area just below the "nest" and a full body buck adorns the foot, highlighted by green malachite leaves and pink coral sun inlays. The tanned lace holding the bird to the nest is cut from deerskin. (January 2008).

	(Tsowasga)
(Cherokee for "Red-Winged Blackbird")

This Alaskan yellow cedar flute is tuned to the Am pentatonic scale. The accent rings above the nest and near the foot (at the direction holes) are red cedar. The traditional "bird" fetish is carved from tulipwood. A red-winged blackbird, with the characteristic red wing peaks inlayed with pink coral,  is burned into the body of this flute below the nest area. The lace holding the fetish to the nest and the wrap at the foot end are cut from black-dyed deerskin. (February 2008)

	(Daksi)
(Cherokee for "Tortoise")

This Alaskan yellow cedar flute is tuned to the Am pentatonic scale. The accent rings above the nest are red cedar on either side of a wider South American canary wood band. The ring near the foot (at the direction holes) is also red cedar. The gopher tortoise used as a model for this flute has a nest right under our bedroom window of our Florida home. The tortoise fetish is carved from red cedar. The tortoise image burned into the flute body below the nest area is taken from a photo of our friend when he took a walk around our front drive one day. The turtle symbol burned in between the direction holes and the lowest finger hole has turquoise and pink coral inlay. There is also a pattern burned all around the back side at the level of this design. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. (February 2008)

	(Tsula)
(Cherokee for "Fox")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the A-minor pentatonic scale. This flute's fetish is a red fox carved from African Padauk wood, the red color is the natural color of the wood. The image of a pair of gray fox kits is burned into the flute body just below the nest. A red fox standing near a rail fence is also burned into the lower area near the foot of this flute. The grain of the cedar wood, particularly down the left side of this flute, is especially beautiful. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is also cut from frey-dyed deerskin. (July 2010)

	(Yansa)
(Cherokee for "Buffalo")

This spalted hackberry flute is tuned to the "standard" A minor pentatonic scale. There was once a species of bison (buffalo) that roamed the Great Smoky Mountains and this flute remembers them. Unlike the plains tribes who hunted the buffalo with bow and arrow from horseback, the Cherokee herded buffalos off cliffs and collected them from the valley below. This flute's fetish is a buffalo carved from black walnut. The evening scene of a pair of buffalos, one standing and one reclining below a crushed abalone-shell inlayed moon, is burned into the flute body just below the nest. At the foot is the image of a buffalo head that wraps half-way around the flute body, making it hard to capture in a photo.  The heavy spalting of this wood gives it real character, but left several flaws that I filled with crushed fuscite inlay, especially down the left side (one small area is visible above the right side of the buffalo head, next to the bottom playing hole, in one photo above and another between the direction hole and foot in the full length photo). The result is a beautiful blend of colorfully grained wood and green stone inlay. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (July 2010)

	(Golanuh)
(Cherokee for "Raven")

This little A minor pentatonic tuned flute with the Golanuh (raven) theme is made of Brazilian Pau Amarello (also known as yellowheart) wood. The fetish is a stylized raven in flight carved from South American cocobolo, The scene burned & painted below the nest area is an abstract image of a man reflected as a raven in the water. Below the lowest hole is a scene of a raven, sitting on a branch, looking down at a wolf looking back up and howling. A small flying raven is also burned into the area between the nest and the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (July 2010)

	(Dalala)
(Cherokee for "Woodpecker")

This Argentinean honey mesquite flute is tuned to the A minor pentatonic scale. The fetish consists of a pileated woodpecker pecking at a log carved from South American cocobolo. Images of pileated woodpeckers are also burned into the flute body just below the nest area and in flight between the direction holes and the first finger hole (near the foot). The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin.  (July 2010)

	(Yansa)
(Cherokee for "Buffalo")

This cherry flute is tuned to the Abm (A-flat minor) pentatonic scale. There was once a species of bison (buffalo) that roamed the Great Smokey Mountains and this flute remembers them. Unlike the plains tribes who hunted the buffalo with bow and arrow from horseback, the Cherokee herded buffalos off cliffs and collected them from the valley below. This flute's fetish is a buffalo carved from North American tesota (sometimes called "desert ironwood"). The image of a buffalo head  is burned into the flute body just below the nest. A full body buffalo, below a pink coral inlayed sun, is burned in near the foot of the flute. The grass in this scene is highlighted by paint.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (August 2008)

	(Waya)
(Cherokee for "Wolf")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the "middle" Abm (A-flat minor) pentatonic scale. The fetish is a howling wolf's head carved from North American mesquite. Just below the "nest" is the image of a wolf's head, and between the bottom "finger hole" and the "direction holes" near the foot is a scene with two wolves on a small precipice, below a pink coral inlayed sun and a pair of crushed abalone shell inlayed clouds. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin.  (June 2008)

	(Awohali)
(Cherokee for "Eagle")

This beautiful spalted hackberry flute is tuned to the Gm pentatonic scale. The eagle is a revered bird among many Native peoples, including the Cherokee. The fetish is a majestic stylized eagle in flight, carved from South American cocobolo. A bald eagle head is burned into the body of this flute just below the nest area and an eagle in flight is burned, with white-painted highlights, at the foot. The silhouette of another eagle in flight over a mountain range is burned just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (November 2009)

	(Yansa)
(Cherokee for "Buffalo")

This spalted hackberry flute is tuned to the "standard" Gm pentatonic scale. There was once a species of bison (buffalo) that roamed the Great Smokey Mountains and this flute remembers them. Unlike the plains tribes who hunted the buffalo with bow and arrow from horseback, the Cherokee herded buffalos off cliffs and collected them from the valley below. This flute's fetish is a buffalo carved from South American canary wood. The image of a pair of buffalos, one standing and one reclining, is burned into the flute body just below the nest. At the foot is the image of a buffalo head that wraps half-way around the flute body, making it hard to capture in a photo.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. (January 2009)

	(Daksi)
(Cherokee for "Turtle")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute, tuned to the Gm pentatonic scale, was specially made for Californian Cindy Sisco. The sea turtle fetish is carved from southeast Asian mun ebony (sometimes called "moon ebony") and is inlayed with blue lapis depicting the plates of the shell. Sea turtle images are burned and painted into the body of this flute just below the nest area and just above the direction holes near the foot. As these turtle images wrap around much of the flute, they are much clearer in real life than they appear in the photos above.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from gray-dyed deerskin. (November 2009)

	(Nuhnohi Udeti)
(Cherokee for "Roadrunner")

I liked the custom Nuhnohi Udeti (Roadrunner) flute that I did some time ago, so I decided it was time to do another. This one is a aromatic eastern red cedar in the key of Gm. The carved running roadrunner fetish is carved from South American tulipwood, a wood I like using for its beautiful grain (see bottom image above). Roadrunner images are burned into the body in three places. The scene near the foot of the flute wraps completely around the flute and includes three painted saguaro cacti. The lace holding the fetish to the flute's nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. (January 2009)

	(Yona)
(Cherokee for "Bear")

This Gm flute is made from a light cherry wood. The fetish is a carved standing black bear from sassafras. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. Images of bears are burned into the body of this flute in three places. Paint highlights all three images, with the grizzly standing in the water the most prominent use of it. The grizzly cub near the mouthpiece is curious about a butterfly that has landed on a rock near him.  (January 2009)

	(Yona)
(Cherokee for "Bear")

This Gm flute is made of Alaskan yellow cedar with a South American padauk mouthpiece and extended end cap. The fetish is a black bear carved from North American tesota (also known as desert ironwood). A walking bear on all fours prowls just  below the nest area. Just above the extended end cap is a momma bear with her two cubs. Both images use painted highlights to more prominently feature the animals.  Finally, a pair of bear paw prints are burned in between the nest and the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from cocoa-dyed deerskin. (November 2008)

	(Golana)
(Cherokee for "Raven")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the Gm pentatonic scale. The fetish is a raven head carved from South American cocobolo. The unusual coloring of the fetish gives the impression that it consists of two pieces of wood glued together, but it is a single, beautiful piece. Below the nest is a raven sitting on a branch, looking down as if considering a meal. At the foot is a raven in flight, soaring over a turquoise inlayed stream beneath a Bali coral inlayed sun. A small flying raven is also burned into the area between the nest and the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tan-dyed deerskin. (November 2008)

	(Kuhtli)
(Cherokee for "Raccoon")

This cherry flute is tuned to the Gm pentatonic scale. The top and bottom photos shows some of the beautiful grain in the wood of this flute, unusual for the cherry that I get from my supplier. A slight flaw in the surface layer of wood that fell between the top two holes was repaired with some turquoise inlay, giving a beautiful effect that complements the strong grain color in this area. The fetish, depicting a raccoon emerging from a hollow stump, is carved from North American tesota (sometimes called desert ironwood). Images of raccoons are also burned into this flute below the nest area and above the direction holes near the foot. A set of raccoon tracks are outlined along the right side of this flute from the mouthpiece down past the nest area. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (September 2008)

	(Daksi)
(Cherokee for "Tortoise")

This black walnut flute is tuned to the Gm pentatonic scale. This flute has some of the prettiest grain that I've run across in black walnut. The tortoise fetish is carved from silver maple and has a band of blue lapis inlayed around the base of its shell.. Tortoise images are burned into the body of this flute just below the nest area and just above the direction holes near the foot. These images are much clearer in real life than they appear in the photos above.  A little paint is used to highlight the grass that these animals are roaming through, and the sun image above the tortoise near the foot is inlayed with crushed Bali coral. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (September 2008)

	(Totsuwa)
(Cherokee for "Redbird" or "Cardinal")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute has a Alaskan yellow cedar mouthpiece, accent band, and end cap, and is tuned to the Gm pentatonic scale. The Cherokee consider birds to be messengers, and the redbird (cardinal) is respected for its beauty. This flute's fetish is a cardinal head carved from padauk. The beautiful color of this African wood naturally captures Totsuwa's color (this carving is not painted or dyed!). An image of the cardinal is burned into the flute body just below the nest and another inlayed in pink coral just above the direction holes at the foot. A woodland wrap of tanned deerskin finishes the decorations on this flute just above the inlayed image. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is also cut from tanned deerskin. (February 2008)

	(Walela)
(Cherokee for "Hummingbird")

This poplar flute is tuned to the Gm pentatonic scale. Birds are considered messengers. The flying hummingbird fetish is carved from red oak. Hummingbirds are also burned into the body of this flute below the nest area and wrapping around the top two playing holes. The lace holding the fetish to the nest and the wrap at the foot end are cut from black-dyed deerskin. (September 2007).

	(Waya)
(Cherokee for "Wolf")

This black walnut flute has a red oak mouthpiece and is tuned to the Gm pentatonic scale. The fetish is a seated, howling wolf carved from South American cocobolo. It is almost solid black on one side (top photo) but has a beautiful golden grain on the other (bottom photo). There are two scenes of wolves burned into the body of this flute. Just below the "nest" are two standing, howling wolves, and between the bottom "finger hole" and the "direction holes" near the foot is a single, leering wolf. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. The grain, especially on the bottom under the nest is particularly beautiful. There is a very interesting knot below the "barrier" between the two chambers. Because this area has neither structural nor acoustic impact on the flute, it was left natural (rather than filling with an unnatural filler) and enhances the beauty of this flute. This is below the lace holding the fetish in the photos above. (November 2007)

	(Ujonati)
(Cherokee for "Rattlesnake")

This Alaskan yellow cedar flute is tuned to the Gm pentatonic scale. The diamondback rattlesnake head fetish is carved from poplar. A coiled diamondback is burned into the body of this flute below the nest area and a coiled rattler is inlayed in turquoise near the foot of this flute. The lace holding the fetish to the nest and the wrap at the foot end are cut from black-dyed deerskin, with wooden bead "rattles" attached to the wrap lacing. (October 2007)

	(Awohali)
(Cherokee for "Eagle")

This beautiful aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the G minor pentatonic scale. The eagle is a revered bird among many Native peoples, including the Cherokee. The fetish is a bald eagle head, carved from mesquite. A bald eagle head is burned into the body of this flute just below the nest area. The photo above only suggests the detail of this bird's feathers. Another bald eagle in flight is burned, with white-painted highlights, at the foot. The silhouette of yet another eagle in flight over a mountain range is burned just below the mouthpiece.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (October 2010)

	(Saloli)
(Cherokee for "Squirrel")

This spalted hackberry flute is tuned to the G minor pentatonic scale. This flute's fetish is a feeding red squirrel carved from honey mesquite. The image of a pair of squirrels sharing a pine branch is burned into the flute body just below the nest. Another squirrel, this one a gray squirrel, is burned into the flute just above the direction holes. A bit of color is introduce with a little paint on the leaves of branch supporting this squirrel.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (October 2010)

	(Tawodi)
(Cherokee for "Hawk")

This black walnut flute is tuned to the G minor pentatonic scale. The fetish is a red-tail hawk in majestic flight, carved from sassafras. A hawk's head is burned into the flute just below the true sound hole and a red-tail in flight is burned into the flute body between the direction holes and the lowest finger hole (near the foot). A small hawk in soaring flight is also burned in just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (October 2010)

	(Golanuh)
(Cherokee for "Raven")

This G minor pentatonic tuned flute with the Golanuh (raven) theme is made of west African Bubinga wood. This is an extremely dense hardwood, making the flute feel a little heavy for it's size. The fetish is a stylized raven in flight carved from southeast Asian mun ebony. The scene burned & painted below the nest area is an abstract image of a man whose spirit is reflected as a raven in the water. Below the lowest hole is a scene of a raven, sitting on a branch, looking down at a wolf looking back up and howling. A small flying raven is also burned into the area between the nest and the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (October 2010)

	(Wahuhi)
(Cherokee for "Owl")

This beautiful cherry flute is tuned to the G minor pentatonic scale. This flute's fetish is a great horned owl carved from South American canary wood. The image of a great horned owl that has just taken to flight beneath a moon inlayed with crushed abalone shell is burned into the flute body below the nest. Another great horned owl, perched atop a tree stump, is burned into the flute near its foot.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from gray-dyed deerskin. (November 2009)

	(Ahwi Equa)
(Cherokee for "Elk")

This Alaskan yellow cedar flute is tuned to the F#m pentatonic scale. The Cherokee call the elk the Ahwi Equa (big or great deer) and the image of a majestic elk's head is burned into the flute body below the nest area. Near the foot of this flute is a full-body elk, apparently looking up to check out our presence. Near the mouthpiece is the silhouette of another elk burned into the body.  The elk's head fetish, complete with full antlers, is carved from tesota (also known as desert ironwood). The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from cocoa-dyed deerskin. (November 2009)

	(Yona)
(Cherokee for "Bear")

This F#m flute is made from aromatic eastern red cedar. The fetish is a carved standing black bear from black walnut. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from grey-dyed deerskin. Images of bears are burned into the body of this flute in three places. Paint highlights all three images, with the grizzly standing in the water the most prominent use of it. The grizzly cub near the mouthpiece is curious about a butterfly that has landed on a rock near him.  (April 2009)

	(Kuhtli)
(Cherokee for "Raccoon")

This cherry flute has a purpleheart mouthpiece and extended endcap, and is tuned to the F#m pentatonic scale. The fetish is a carved from mesquite, depicting a raccoon emerging from a stump. This flute features three images of raccoons burned into the flute's body. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin.  (April 2009)

	(Dalala)
(Cherokee for "Woodpecker")

This red cedar flute has an Alaskan yellow cedar mouthpiece and end cap. It is tuned to the F#m pentatonic scale. The fetish consists of a pileated woodpecker at work on a log, carved from South American canary wood. Images of pileated woodpeckers are also burned into the flute body just below the nest area and between the direction holes and the first finger hole (near the foot). In each of these images the bird's topnotch is inlayed with pink coral to bring out the prominent red color of this species. The upper image also has some maple leaves inlayed with green malachite. There is a beautiful knot at the edge of the topmost (6th) finger hole (left hand photo in middle row above) and another on the underside. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (November 2007)

	(Tluhdatsi)
(Cherokee for "Panther")

This F#m pentatonic scale flute is made of spalted hackberry. The spalted grain on the body of this flute is truly beautiful. This flute's theme was inspired by the endangered Florida panther, the smaller cousin of the cougar and puma. This flute's fetish is a prowling panther carved from mesquite and also has beautiful grain. The image of a panther head is burned into the flute body just below the nest. A prowling panther that is about to drink from a turquoise inlayed pond, below a pink coral inlayed sun, is burned into the foot of this flute.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (July 2008)

	(Walela)
(Cherokee for "Hummingbird")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is accented by bands of Alaskan yellow cedar on either side of a wider purpleheart band. A yellow cedar band also highlights the direction holes near the foot. This flute is tuned to the F#m pentatonic scale. Birds are considered messengers. The flying hummingbird fetish is carved from tesota, also known as desert ironwood. Hummingbirds are also burned into the body of this flute below the nest area and wrapping around the top two playing holes. The lace holding the fetish to the nest and the wrap at the foot end are cut from tanned deerskin. (February 2008)

	(Daksi)
(Cherokee for "Tortoise")

This poplar flute is tuned to the F#m pentatonic scale. The gopher tortoise used as a model for this flute has a nest right under our bedroom window of our Florida home. The tortoise image burned into the flute body below the nest area is taken from a photo of our friend when he took a walk around our front drive one day. Just above the deerskin wrap at the foot of this flute is another tortoise approaching a turquoise pond inlayed into the body. The tortoise fetish is carved from Alaskan yellow cedar. The lace holding the fetish to the nest and the wrap at the foot end are cut from tanned deerskin. (September 2007)

	(Waya)
(Cherokee for "Wolf")

This beautiful aromatic eastern red cedar flute with the Waya (wolf) theme is tuned to the F# minor pentatonic scale. Near the mouthpiece is a turquoise inlay of the wolf paw print. The fetish is a prowling timber wolf with a raised forepaw, carved from brown ebony. A howling wolf's head is burned into the flute body just below the nest area, and the image of a reclining wolf is burned just above the direction holes. The lace holding the fetish to the flute is cut from deerskin..  (April 2010)

	(Tluhdatsi)
(Cherokee for "Panther")

This flute is tuned to the F# minor pentatonic scale. The black walnut body is contrasted by a mesquite endcap and mouthpiece. This flute was inspired by the endangered Florida panther, the smaller cousin of the cougar and puma. This flute's fetish is a prowling panther carved from Argentine honey mesquite. The image of a reclining panther is burned into the flute body just below the nest and a prowling panther is burned between the direction holes and first playing hole. What makes this flute stand out is the carved panther head at the foot, also of mesquite, with a ring of crushed malachite around its neck.  An inlay of crushed malachite paw print also appears just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (April 2010)

	(Awohali)
(Cherokee for "Eagle")

This beautiful spalted hackberry flute is tuned to the F# minor pentatonic scale. The eagle is a revered bird among many Native peoples, including the Cherokee. The fetish is a majestic stylized eagle in flight, carved from South American cocobolo. A screeching golden eagle head is burned into the body of this flute just below the nest area and an eagle in flight is burned, with white-painted highlights, at the foot. The silhouette of another eagle in flight over a mountain range is burned just below the mouthpiece. The moon in this scene is inlayed with crushed topaz pieces. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (April 2010)

	(Yona)
(Cherokee for "Bear")

This beautiful Argentine honey mesquite flute is highlighted by a black walnut mouthpiece and endcap. It is tuned to the F# minor pentatonic scale and sports the very popular Yona (bear) theme. The fetish is a carved standing black bear from black walnut. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from light gray-dyed deerskin. Images of bears are burned into the body of this flute in three places. Paint highlights all three images, with the grizzly standing in the water the most prominent use of it. The grizzly cub near the mouthpiece is curious about a butterfly that has landed on a rock near him.  (April 2010)

	(Tsulasgi)
(Cherokee for "Alligator")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the Fm pentatonic scale. The fetish is an alligator carved from South American tulipwood. A full alligator, viewed from above, is burned into the flute body below the nest area and an alligator head, cruising through a Florida wetland (depicted by turquoise inlay with painted highlights) is burned above the direction holes near the foot of this flute. Small turquoise chips are also inlayed between the finger holes. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (June 2008)

	(Walela)
(Cherokee for "Hummingbird")

This black walnut flute is tuned to the Fm pentatonic scale. Birds are considered messengers. The flying hummingbird fetish is carved from South American tulipwood. Hummingbirds are also burned into the body of this flute below the nest area and two more at the foot and along the side up to the third hole. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (April 2008)

	(Awohali)
(Cherokee for "Eagle")

This black walnut flute has a red oak mouthpiece  and is tuned to the Fm pentatonic scale. The eagle is a revered bird among many Native peoples, including the Cherokee. An eagle head is burned into body of this flute just below the nest area and an eagle in flight is depicted in silhouette with the setting sun as an inlay just above the deerskin wrap at the foot. The inlay consists of jet black (the eagle) and pink coral (the setting sun). The eagle head fetish is carved from red oak. The lace holding the fetish to the nest and the wrap at the foot end are cut from black-dyed deerskin. (September 2007)

	(Kuhtli)
(Cherokee for "Raccoon")

This beautiful cherry flute with silver maple mouthpiece and endcap is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The fetish, depicting a raccoon emerging from a hollow stump, is carved from mesquite. Images of raccoons are also burned into this flute below the nest area and above the direction holes near the foot. Raccoon tracks are burned in just below the mouthpiece. The foot of this flute is fashioned to appear like a burned out log and a distinctive feature is the real raccoon tail coming out of the foot, as if it were part of the raccoon burned in above the direction holes. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (October 2009) - SOLD.

	(Daksi)
(Cherokee for "Tortoise")

This black walnut flute has a canary wood mouthpiece and endcap and is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The sea turtle fetish is carved from southeast Asian mun ebony (sometimes called "moon ebony") and is inlayed with blue lapis depicting the plates of the shell. Sea turtle images are burned and painted into the body of this flute just below the nest area and just above the direction holes near the foot. As these turtle images wrap around much of the flute, they are much clearer in real life than they appear in the photos above.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from gray-dyed deerskin. (October 2009)

	(Sogwili)
(Cherokee for "Horse")

This beautiful E minor pentatonic flute  is made of black walnut with a Oregon Myrtlewood mouthpiece and extended endcap. The mane on the canary wood horse's head fetish is actual horse hair donated by my sister's horse Ozzie. About this horse she says:

The 'blonde' hair came from my old Arabian gelding that I call Ozzie. His registered name is something like Azur Protent. He was born in California, in 1987 and I got him when he was 6 months old. He came along with me when I moved to Texas. His bloodlines are Russia, and he's a big horse. Ozzie is a gray (almost white) horse. He was born brown, as most grays are, and as he aged he turned gray. Now, the old guy is almost totally white, except for a few blond spots on his mane and tail. He's what I call a typical Arabian, ride them one day and they're perfect, ride them the next day and they spook at every leave blowing in the wind. But, of all the horse breeds, their personality is closer to a dog's than your standard horse.

Oh, a little story about Ozzie. When I first moved to Texas, I had him separated from the mares and foals in a pen by the front gate. To keep the gate open to drive in, we'd swing it back to Ozzie's fence and hang a chain over the fence post. Well, Dad thought it would be cute to teach Ozzie how to take the chain off and close the gate for us. And, Dad did a good job teaching him. After you would open the gate, about the time you'd get back to the car, Ozzie had the gate pushed shut on you. 

The scene between the nest area and the top hole wraps completely around the flute depicting four white Arabians running in front of a lake, while at the bottom of the flute is a horse rearing in silhouette in front of a massive lightning strike. A small horse's head is also burned & painted just above the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (June 2009)

	(Golanuh)
(Cherokee for "Raven")

This sassafras and mun ebony (sometimes called moon ebony, from southeast Asia) flute was purchased by Montana flute enthusiast Pamela Coates when it was half done. This flute is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The fetish is a stylized raven in flight carved from mun ebony, The mouthpiece and extended endcap are also mun ebony. The carved raven head at the foot of this flute, also of mun ebony, makes this flute unique. The scene burned & painted below the nest area is an abstract image of a raven and a man reflecting in water. Below the lowest hole is a scene of a raven, sitting on a branch, looking down on a wolf looking back up. A small flying raven is also burned into the area between the nest and the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (June 2009)

	(Golanuh)
(Cherokee for "Raven")

This sassafras flute is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The fetish is a stylized raven in flight carved from South American cocobolo. The grain on this fetish is especially pronounced and the effect is beautiful. This fetish design was originally created for a custom flute and this is the first application on a "standard" flute. Below the nest is a raven sitting on a branch, looking down as if considering his next meal. At the foot is a raven sitting in a rose bush. A small flying raven is also burned into the area between the nest and the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (December 2008)

	(Tluhdatsi)
(Cherokee for "Panther")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. This flute was inspired by the endangered Florida panther, the smaller cousin of the cougar and puma. This flute's fetish is a prowling panther carved from South American canary wood. The image of a panther head is burned into the flute body just below the nest. A prowling panther that has just crossed a turquoise inlayed stream, below a pink coral inlayed sun, is burned into the foot of this flute.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (February 2008)

	(Tsula)
(Cherokee for "Fox")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The accent rings just below the mouthpiece consists of a pair of narrow Alaskan yellow cedar rings around a wider ring of South American cocobolo. This flute's fetish is a red fox carved from African Padauk wood, the red color is the natural color of the wood. The image of a pair of gray fox kits is burned into the flute body just below the nest. A sitting red fox is burned into the foot of this flute.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. (March 2008)

	(Awohali)
(Cherokee for "Eagle")

This beautiful aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to a very mellow Em pentatonic scale. The eagle is a revered bird among many Native peoples, including the Cherokee. The fetish is an eagle in flight, carved from South American purpleheart. An eagle head is burned into body of this flute just below the nest area and an eagle in flight is burned in at the foot. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. The grain around the left side of the next, partly visible in the left photo of the middle row above, has a very interesting range of colors for red cedar. The concentric rings on the top of the mouthpiece area are also very nice. (December 2007)

	(Dalala)
(Cherokee for "Woodpecker")

This cherry flute is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The fetish consists of a pileated woodpecker at work on a log, carved from South American cocobolo. Images of pileated woodpeckers are also burned into the flute body just below the nest area and in flight between the direction holes and the first finger hole (near the foot). In each of these images the bird's topnotch is inlayed with pink coral to bring out the prominent red color of this species. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (April 2008)

	(Totsuwa)
(Cherokee for "Redbird" or "Cardinal")

This black walnut flute is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The Cherokee consider birds to be messengers, and the redbird (cardinal) is respected for its beauty. This flute's fetish is a cardinal head carved from padauk. The beautiful color of this African wood naturally captures Totsuwa's color (this carving is not painted or dyed!). An image of the cardinal is burned into the flute body just below the nest and another inlayed in pink coral just above the direction holes at the foot. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. (March 2008)

	(Golanuh)
(Cherokee for "Raven")

These pictures hardly do justice to this beautiful sassafras flute, tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The fetish is a raven head carved from South American cocobolo. A raven perched on a branch, surveying the opportunities below, is burned into the flute body below the nest area and a raven with a rose, inlayed with pink coral with inlayed malachite leaves, is burned near the foot of this flute. The lace holding the fetish to the nest and the woodlands wrap near the direction holes are cut from tanned deerskin. (April 2008)

	(Dalala)
(Cherokee for "Woodpecker")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The fetish consists of a pileated woodpecker at work on a log, carved from South American canary wood. Images of pileated woodpeckers are also burned into the flute body just below the nest area and between the direction holes and the first finger hole (near the foot). In each of these images the bird's topnotch is inlayed with pink coral to bring out the prominent red color of this species. The upper image also has some maple leaves inlayed with green malachite. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. (February 2008)

	(Golanuh)
(Cherokee for "Raven")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The fetish is a raven head carved from South American cocobolo, almost solid black on one side and nicely grained on the other (see bottom photo above). A large raven's head is also burned into the flute body below the nest area and two ravens sitting on a telephone pole are inlayed above the direction holes near the foot of this flute. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (November 2007)

	(Tluhdatsi)
(Cherokee for "Panther")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to a very mellow Em pentatonic scale. This flute was inspired by the endangered Florida panther, the smaller cousin of the cougar and puma. This flute's fetish is a prowling panther carved from South American canary wood. The image of a panther head is burned into the flute body just below the nest. Burned into the foot of this flute is a prowling panther that has just crossed a turquoise inlayed stream.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin.

	(Tsulasgi)
(Cherokee for "Alligator")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the Em pentatonic scale. The accent rings just below the mouthpiece consist of a pair of narrow South American canary wood rings around a wider ring of South American cocobolo.The fetish is an alligator carved from South American tulipwood. A full alligator, viewed from above, is burned into the flute body below the nest area and an alligator head, cruising through a Florida wetland (depicted by turquoise inlay) is burned above the direction holes near the foot of this flute. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (March 2008)

	(Golanuh)
(Cherokee for "Raven")

This flute is made of beautifully spalted hackberry and is tuned to the E-flat minor pentatonic scale. The fetish is a stylized raven in flight carved from southeast Asian mun ebony (sometimes called moon ebony). The grain on this fetish is especially pronounced and the effect is beautiful. This fetish design was originally created for a custom flute but has become a regular feature because of its popularity. The image burned and painted below the nest is a spiritual image of a raven, with wings extended downward, reflected in a lake as a man, with arm extended as well, before a setting sun. The image at the foot also was originally requested on a custom flute, and depicts a raven sitting on a branch looking down at a wolf that is looking back up and howling. A small flying raven is also burned into the area between the nest and the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. A unique feature of this flute is how the foot of this flute has been burned to appear as a burned out log. This appears to blend nicely with the spalting pattern.  (June 2009)

	(Sogwili)
(Cherokee for "Horse")

This Eb (E-flat) minor pentatonic flute was custom made for Muskogee (Creek) flute player Billy Whitefox in tribute to his song Spirit Horse Journey (from the CD When the Wind Sings) and the new CD Spirit Horse. The flute is made of spalted hackberry with a black walnut horse head fetish. The mane on the fetish is actual horse hair donated by my sister's horse Hersey. Hersey is a 12-13 year old cow pony who has a laid back "I'm the boss" attitude, but comes to life if you hang a rope on his saddle or point him at the cattle. Not much gets him excited, but his mane adds his special spirit to this flute. The "blown back" mane suggests this horse is at full gallop. The red circle around the eyes and red hand print on the left side of the horse's neck are taken from the image on Billy's Spirit Horse CD cover.

The scene between the nest area and the top hole wraps completely around the flute depicting four white Arabians running in front of a lake, while at the bottom of the flute is a horse rearing in silhouette in front of a massive lightning strike. A small horse's head is also burned & painted just above the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (June 2009)

	(Sogwili)
(Cherokee for "Horse")

This Eb (E-flat) minor pentatonic flute is unusual in several ways. First, it is made of highly spalted hackberry, which offered special challenges but produced results that were worth them. When I looked at the wood blank, I could see horses in it. Inlayed between the nest and the mouthpiece is a metal horse, the first such inlayed in my flutes. The horse head fetish is carved from mesquite. The mane on the fetish is actual horse hair donated by my sister's horse Hersey. Hersey is a 12-13 year old cow pony who has a laid back "I'm the boss" attitude, but comes to life if you hang a rope on his saddle or point him at the cattle. Not much gets him excited, but his mane adds his special spirit to this flute. This is my first flute to use horse hair on the fetish. The "blown back" mane suggests this horse is at full gallop.

A horse head is burned and painted into the flute body just below the nest area and a pair of rearing, fighting horses appears between the direction holes and the "bottom" playing hole. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (December 2008)

	(Wahuhi)
(Cherokee for "Owl")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the E-flat minor pentatonic scale. The mouthpiece and accent ring just below the mouthpiece are made of South American canary wood. This flute's fetish is a great horned owl carved from North American tesota wood. The image of a sitting great horned owl is burned into the flute body just below the nest. Another great horned owl, which has just taken to flight, is burned into the foot of this flute.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (March 2008)

	(Sogwili)
(Cherokee for "Horse")

This cherry flute is tuned to the Eb (E-flat) minor pentatonic scale. The fetish consists of a horse's head with mane flowing in the wind, carved from North American tesota. A herd of four running horses is burned into the flute just below the nest area and the silhouette of a rearing horse (jet black) in front of a bold lightning strike (pink coral) is inlayed between the direction holes and the first finger hole (near the foot). The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (March 2008)

	(Kuhtli)
(Cherokee for "Raccoon")

This beautiful sassafras flute is tuned to the E-flat minor pentatonic scale. The fetish, depicting a raccoon emerging from a hollow stump, is carved from mesquite. Images of raccoons are also burned into this flute below the nest area and above the direction holes near the foot. Raccoon tracks are burned in just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (June 2010)

	(Guh-he)
(Cherokee for "Bobcat")

This beautiful flute is predominantly Alaskan yellow cedar, accented with an African padauk mouthpiece and extended endcap. It is tuned to the E-flat minor pentatonic scale. The fetish is a prowling bobcat carved from southwest tesota, sometimes called desert ironwood. The image of a bobcat coming through the brush is burned into the flute body just below the nest area. Near the foot, a bobcat reclining on a rock is burned and painted just below the bottom playing hole. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. What makes this flute stand out is an actual bobcat's tail, sewn to a matching dyed deerskin wrap that is tied to the flute just above the extended endcap.  (June 2009)

	(Daksi)
(Cherokee for "Turtle")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute with the Daksi (turtle) theme is tuned to the mellow D-minor pentatonic scale. The sea turtle fetish is carved from cocobolo and is inlayed with crushed turquoise depicting the plates of the shell. Sea turtle images are burned and painted into the body of this flute just below the nest area and just above the direction holes near the foot. As these turtle images wrap around much of the flute, they are much clearer in real life than they appear in the photos above. A small Native American turtle symbol is also burned in near the mouthpiece.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from gray dyed deerskin. (March 2010)

	(Ahwi Equa)
(Cherokee for "Elk")

This Alaskan yellow cedar flute is tuned to the deep, mellow D-minor pentatonic scale. The Cherokee call the elk the Ahwi Equa (big or great deer) and the image of a majestic elk's head is burned into the flute body below the nest area. Near the foot of this flute is a full-body elk, apparently looking up to check out our presence. Near the mouthpiece is the silhouette of another elk burned into the body.  The elk's head fetish, complete with full antlers, is carved from honey mesquite. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (March 2010)

	(Tluhdatsi)
(Cherokee for "Panther")

This beautiful black walnut and mesquite flute was inspired by my entry in the 2009 Musical Echoes flute makers' competition the Underground Panthers (Tlvdatsi Hawinaditlv Gadohi). This flute is tuned to a very mellow Dm pentatonic scale. The dark walnut body is contrasted by mesquite endcap and mouthpiece. This flute was inspired by the endangered Florida panther, the smaller cousin of the cougar and puma. This flute's fetish is a prowling panther carved from mesquite. The image of a panther head is burned into the flute body just below the nest and a prowling panther is burned between the direction holes and first playing hole. What makes this flute stand out is the carved panther head at the foot, also of mesquite, with a ring of crushed abalone shell around its neck.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from light gray-dyed deerskin. (June 2009)

	(Waya)
(Cherokee for "Wolf")

This beautiful Alaskan yellow cedar flute has a purpleheart mouthpiece and extended endcap, and is tuned to the deep, mellow D minor pentatonic scale. The fetish is a howling wolf's head carved from tesota, sometimes called desert ironwood, from the U.S. southwest. A howling wolf's head is burned into the flute body just below the nest area, and the image of a reclining wolf is burned just above the endcap. The lace holding the fetish to the flute is cut from dyed deerskin..  (June 2009)

	(Wahuhi)
(Cherokee for "Owl")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the deep and mellow D minor pentatonic scale. This flute's fetish is a great horned owl carved from South American canary wood. The image of a great horned owl that has just taken to flight is burned into the flute body just below the nest. Another great horned owl, perched atop a tree stump, is burned into the flute near its foot.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (June 2009)

	(Sogwili)
(Cherokee for "Horse")

This black walnut flute has a white ash mouthpiece and extended endcap from the foot to above the direction holes. It is tuned to the "middle" D minor pentatonic scale. The fetish is carved from spalted hackberry and sports a mane donated by my sister's horse Ozzie. About this horse she says:

The 'blonde' hair came from my old Arabian gelding that I call Ozzie. His registered name is something like Azur Protent. He was born in California, in 1987 and I got him when he was 6 months old. He came along with me when I moved to Texas. His bloodlines are Russia, and he's a big horse. Ozzie is a gray (almost white) horse. He was born brown, as most grays are, and as he aged he turned gray. Now, the old guy is almost totally white, except for a few blond spots on his mane and tail. He's what I call a typical Arabian, ride them one day and they're perfect, ride them the next day and they spook at every leave blowing in the wind. But, of all the horse breeds, their personality is closer to a dog's than your standard horse.

Oh, a little story about Ozzie. When I first moved to Texas, I had him separated from the mares and foals in a pen by the front gate. To keep the gate open to drive in, we'd swing it back to Ozzie's fence and hang a chain over the fence post. Well, Dad thought it would be cute to teach Ozzie how to take the chain off and close the gate for us. And, Dad did a good job teaching him. After you would open the gate, about the time you'd get back to the car, Ozzie had the gate pushed shut on you. 

Just below the nest is a burned & painted scene that wraps completely around the flute of four galloping Arabians before a lake. Near the foot is a rearing horse burned in silhouette before a burned & painted lightning bolt. One more image of a horse's head is burned at the top near the mouthpiece. The lace holding the horse head fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. This is truly a beautiful flute with powerful energy from sogwili.  (March 2009)

	(Guh-he)
(Cherokee for "Bobcat")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the very mellow Dm pentatonic scale. The fetish is a prowling bobcat carved from mesquite. The image of a bobcat coming through the brush is burned into the flute body just below the nest area. Near the foot a bobcat reclining on a rock is burned and painted between the direction holes and the bottom playing hole.. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. Although this is a fairly low key, the finger spacing should be good for even average size hands, with a maximum spacing between the bottom two holes of under 1 3/8". (February 2009)

	(Dalala)
(Cherokee for "Woodpecker")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the very mellow Dm pentatonic scale. The fetish consists of a pileated woodpecker at work on a log, carved from South American cocobolo. Images of pileated woodpeckers are also burned & painted into the flute body just below the nest area and between the direction holes and the first finger hole (near the foot). The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. Although this is a fairly low key, the finger spacing should be good for even average size hands, with a maximum spacing between the bottom two holes of under 1 3/8". (February 2009)

	(Tsula)
(Cherokee for "Fox")

This cherry flute is tuned to the very mellow Dm pentatonic scale. This flute's fetish is a red fox carved from African Padauk wood, the red color is the natural color of the wood. The image of a pair of gray fox kits is burned into the flute body just below the nest. A red fox is also burned into the lower area near the foot of this flute.  The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. Although this is a fairly low key, the finger spacing should be good for even average size hands, with a maximum spacing between the bottom two holes of under 1 3/8". (February 2009)

	(Totsuwa)
(Cherokee for "Redbird" or "Cardinal")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute has a Alaskan yellow cedar mouthpiece and endcap, and is tuned to the very mellow Dm pentatonic scale. The Cherokee consider birds to be messengers, and the redbird (cardinal) is respected for its beauty. This flute's fetish is a cardinal carved from African padauk. The beautiful color of this African wood naturally captures Totsuwa's color, accented by a painted beak. An image of the cardinal is burned and painted into the flute body just below the nest and another just above the direction holes at the foot. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is also cut from tanned deerskin. (December 2008)

	(Yona)
(Cherokee for "Bear")

This beautiful aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the "standard" pentatonic D minor scale. The finger holes on this relatively low pitched flute are laid out using my "new design" spacing, making it very playable by players with even "average" sized hands. The coloration of this flute is especially interesting, with the top predominantly the lighter "blond" tone and the underside primarily the expected red, with beautiful grain running down both parts. Images burned into this flute include the standing (running) bear in the area below the nest, and the scene of the "momma" bear with her two cubs above the direction holes near the foot. One of those cubs is checking out a butterfly that has landed on the rock before him. The leaves of the tree above this trio is inlayed with crushed fuscite. Both of these images include painted background highlights. In addition to these images, a set of black bear tracks is burned near the mouthpiece. The fetish is a black bear carved from mesquite, with deerskin lace holding the fetish to the nest. (September 2008)

	(Dalala)
(Cherokee for "Woodpecker")

This black walnut flute is tuned to the Dm pentatonic scale. This flute has a 1 1/8" bore and was made with attention placed on the finger hole spacing to make this relatively low D tuning playable by even average size hands (holes no wider than on our Em tuned flutes). The fetish is a pileated woodpecker at work on a log, carved from spalted hackberry. Images of pileated woodpeckers are also burned into the flute body just below the nest area and in flight between the direction holes and the first finger hole (near the foot). In each of these images the bird's topnotch and white face and neck markings are highlighted with a little paint, as are some of the background foliage. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from tanned deerskin. (August 2008)

	(Waya)
(Cherokee for "Wolf")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to haunting Dm pentatonic scale, the deepest tuning that we offer at the time. The lower finger holes are fairly widely spaced (about 1.4 inches), making it unsuitable for small hands. The fetish is a standing, howling wolf carved from tesota. There is a wolf's head burned into the body of this flute just below the "nest", and two howling wolves below an pink coral inlayed moon are burned between the bottom "finger hole" and the "direction holes" near the foot. The lace holding the fetish to the nest and the wrap near the foot are cut from tanned deerskin. (February 2008)

	(Yona)
(Cherokee for "Bear")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to a haunting Dm pentatonic scale, the deepest tuning that we offer at the time. The fetish is a black bear carved from South American purpleheart. A pair of bears, one standing prominently, is burned into the flute body below the nest area. Three additional bears, a "momma" and her two cubs, are burned above the direction holes near the foot of this flute. The leaves of the tree above this trio is inlayed with green malachite. If you look closely, you'll see that the nearer cub is fascinated by a butterfly sitting on the rock before him. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from black-dyed deerskin. (November 2007)

	(Daksi)
(Cherokee for "Turtle")

This aromatic eastern red cedar flute is tuned to the mellow D minor pentatonic scale. The sea turtle fetish is carved from South American cocobolo and is inlayed with crushed turquoise depicting the plates of the shell. This fetish is carved with a full "chimney" protecting the sound hole from side drafts, making this flute easier to play outdoors when there is a breeze. Sea turtle images are burned and painted into the body of this flute just below the nest area and just above the direction holes near the foot. As these turtle images wrap around much of the flute, they are much clearer in real life than they appear in the photos above.  A sea turtle inlayed with fuscite appears just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (September 2010)

	(Walela)
(Cherokee for "Hummingbird")

This black walnut flute is tuned to the deep, mellow D minor pentatonic scale. The flying hummingbird fetish is carved from South American purpleheart. This fetish is carved with a full "chimney" protecting the sound hole from side drafts, making this flute easier to play outdoors when there is a breeze. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are also burned & painted into the body of this flute below the nest area and in the area between the direction holes and the bottom playing hole. A small feeding bird is also burned in just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (September 2010)

	(Kuhtli)
(Cherokee for "Raccoon")

This beautiful spalted hackberry flute with the Kuhtli (raccoon) theme is tuned to the soothing D minor pentatonic scale. The fetish, depicting a raccoon emerging from a hollow stump, is carved from mesquite. This fetish is carved with a full "chimney" protecting the sound hole from side drafts, making this flute easier to play outdoors when there is a breeze. Images of raccoons are also burned into this flute below the nest area, above the direction holes near the foot, and just below the mouthpiece.. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from deerskin. (September 2010)

	(Waya)
(Cherokee for "Wolf")

This beautiful flute with the Waya (wolf) theme is tuned to the mellow D minor pentatonic scale. The flute body is made from highly grained exotic African padauk. This is a fairly dense wood, giving this flute a little heavier feel than most domestic woods for a flute this size. One characteristic of padauk is that it darkens with age, usually turning toward a rich dark brown. This process is accelerated with extended exposure to sunlight. Near the mouthpiece is a turquoise inlay of the wolf paw print. The fetish is a seated howling timber wolf carved from South American cocobolo. This fetish is carved with a full "chimney" protecting the sound hole from side drafts, making this flute easier to play outdoors when there is a breeze. A howling wolf's head is burned and painted into the flute body just below the nest area, and the image of a reclining wolf is burned just above the direction holes. The lace holding the fetish to the flute is cut from deerskin..  (September 2010)

	(Walela)
(Cherokee for "Hummingbird")

This Osage orange flute is tuned to the deep, mellow Dm pentatonic scale. The flying hummingbird fetish is carved from tulipwood. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are also burned & painted into the body of this flute below the nest area and in the area between the direction holes and the bottom playing hole. A small feeding bird is also burned in just below the mouthpiece. The lace holding the fetish to the nest is cut from dyed deerskin. (June 2010)

Send mail to webmaster@turtlemoundflutes.com with questions or comments about this web site.