Tradition Amid Turmoil: Abalone Shell Cutting

Suscol's Outreach Coordinator Sal Garcia-Pinola shows us a small part of the craft of Abalone shell-cutting and necklace making. He uses his craft in order to stay grounded during unstable times.
Programs sponsored by Suscol Intertribal Council are funded through Napa County Mental Health Division's Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), Prevention and Early Intervention component.

[@bigbird2451]

I'm not Native.I live in Oceano California near Pismo Beach. It's an area known for its big clams. I've been collecting shells and carving them of late. I do fused glass as well, so most of the tools overlap. I mostly do wave forms and hearts.Those fish hooks are something I've been considering. Always working wet of course. The local sushi restaurant saves it's scallop shells for me.

[@ladyjusticewarriorqueenz2005]

Beautiful necklace, thank you

[@abuelitasjourney]

Thank you for sharing the medicine

[@kayaniell5282]

Thank you for sharing, I don’t have anyone in my family to teach me this.

[@moonboogien8908]

I see you are using the tile saw of our forefathers

[@SuscolCouncil]

yes!!

[@druid3744]

Very cool! Thank you for sharing sir.

[@SuscolCouncil]

Thanks for watching!

[@SuscolCouncil]

This short video show how complex abalone necklace making is. This helps folks understand why they are so expensive. A very small unique population in the world do this. A small part of Northern California Pomo community keeps these traditions alive.

[@OceanzAway83]

I come from the Muwekma Ohlone tribe also known as Costanoans per the Spaniards. Thank you for this video. Ive always wanted to learn how to make Abalone jewelry, this is a great start. Many thanks and blessings, Suyyakma.

[@SuscolCouncil]

great thank you so much for watching hope this helps you. remember to do this carfully! and Subscribe to suscol channel!

[@nagunaks2222]

Amazing work cuz!

[@SuscolCouncil]

yes, Sal is a great teacher!

[@tulemoreno]

I’m Kashia Pomo, I live far away from my family so no one can teach me one on one so I’m doing research, thank you

[@Ygwm262]

Nice

[@SuscolCouncil]

great glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnfree2833]

Ojibway from MN residing in NorCal.rock on.silicosis is nasty AF,beware....

[@SuscolCouncil]

This film is for education not to replicate these ancient traditions.

[@coolcreamykiwi]

Ancient traditions? Come on man! The great storm walker spirit RIGID captured the lightning bolt to run the angle grinder, capturing the aluminum oxcide powder in the deep sacred mines of arizona to produce the spirtit abrasives......indeed

[@danielsilvas5352]

Nice work brother I'm Sherwood valley pomo and wailaki

[@omargomez8826]

Do you take customers?

[@TOMTHAKAT82]

DO YOU STILL CUT ?? IM A ABALONE ARTIST .