Using imported glass 'wampum' beads from the same Czechoslovakian producer of 18th century wampum, these items are hand crafted true to their era. Owned by the same family since its days as a leading manufacturer of trade beads, the Czech plant produces the glass wampum on the same machines used over 200 years ago.

Why glass instead of shell wampum? Glass is and was cheaper than shell and as such, found a large market in the Americas allowing trade of the new 'wampum' beads to flourish. As glass wampum became readily available, more Indian people utilized it for jewelry. By the close of the 18th century, many wampum adornments were no longer woven from shell but from the easily obtainable Czech glass. Even today, a shell wampum sash would cost several thousand dollars ... evidence of the value wampum still maintains centuries later.

These pictures are of Maxine Trottier, noted children's book author, holding a wampum belt that she and Clabert designed together.

The Wampum belt makes an appearance in her novel published in May 2000, "Circle of Silver", that takes place during the French and Indian War.


This book is part of a three book trilogy, the second book, published in April 2001, is entitled "By the Standing Stone" and the third and final book, "Under a Shooting Star" was published in May 2002.