A Bracelet with a Story to Tell™:

Willow Ptarmigan Bracelet Inspiration: The Willow Ptarmigan is the state bird of Alaska, making the mosquito the unofficial state bird! If you know, you know!

According to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADFG), “The willow ptarmigan became the official state bird when Alaska was made the 49th state in 1960. The willow ptarmigan is distinguished by its use of camouflage as protection against predators, changing its plumage from light brown in summer to snow white in winter.”

In winter, willow ptarmigan form flocks, feeding together in the snow. Come summer they disperse. ADFG also shares that “Unlike other grouse, the male willow ptarmigan often takes responsibility for the young, defending them against predators.”

Willow ptarmigan are plump birds. Hunting ptarmigan is very popular in Alaska.

ADFG also shares quite a bit about the feathers of the willow ptarmigan. For this bracelet, I focused solely on the fall feathers of the male. “By early August, the cock is beginning to grow white feathers for the coming winter plumage.

In mid-August, male ptarmigan are a patchwork of four sets of feathers: a few old winter feathers on the wings, new white feathers on toes and belly, and parts of the light spring and darker summer feathers.” They also have red eyebrows, which I love!

Alaskan Interpretation: If you look closely at the chestnut-colored feathers on the male, you’ll see what reminds me of a tiger stripe. That means Tiger Eye is the bead of choice!

For the white plumage, I used White Java Glass Button Beads.

The red eyebrow is represented by the small red tassel. As always, you can choose black, brown, or gray for the leather. Your choice.

So, have seen a Willow Ptarmigan?

This is a stretch bracelet to fit most wrists.

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