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“I make my drum beaters to be the best beater you will ever have.”
Yolanda Martinez creates Authentic Native American Drums and Drum Beaters that wake up your soul, and balance and connect you with Earth Mother’s rhythms in nature, Her heartbeat, and song.
Yolanda recommends this 17″ Drum Beater for the larger 16″ and 18″ drums. Measures 17″ x 1/2″.
The heads are made with leather and hard wood handles so the beaters are solid they last and hold together. We don’t always know what color of leather we are going to have, so my Drum Beater will come in different colors.
Its a rare thing to become a Drum Maker. There are mostly male drum makers and I have been the only female drum maker for many years. I am very happy to hear and see that there are other women becoming drum makers. New Mexico Magazine a few years ago did an article on SW Drum Makers. They interviewed 6 or 7 of us and I was the only woman to be included.
The Gift of the Drum came 1986, I knew nothing about drums let alone how to make them. It was a calling that I could not side step. All I knew was I had to make a drum, little did I know I was to become a “Master Drum Maker” and make a business and a living out of making them. I made my first drum in Aug. 1987. I was in the Corporate world, an Escrow Officer for over 14 years, so what a surprise!
I work out of my home, in my garage, and office space. My soaking tubs are in my back yard. My shop consists of a Table saw, Band saw, Router, Cutting Blades, and Cutting Mats. My drums are made from full hides from top Tanneries. I soak and cut them into rounds, burn the holes and stretch them over my Maple, or Birch Hoops. I use #1 Grade Rawhide of Buffalo, Elk, and Cow, and make drums that touch the soul. The great thing is, I had to figure all this out. I love a good challenge!
I get the hoops in big cylinders. I cut them to the width that I need with the table saw and router them for smooth edges. To make the drum mallets I use wooden dowels. I use the band saw to cut them to size and finish them. The Ceremonial Drums are a lot more work since they are heavier with larger hides that I have to work with. It takes days to make a Drum.
This gift also brought forth my music. I am an Award Winning Recording Artist and I sell my CD’s and DVD’s as well. I have a instructional DVD on Drum making and do drum making workshops nationally and internationally.
Return Policy: Return Policy: Please contact us here within 3 days of receipt for return instructions. The item must be returned within 7 days of contacting us. The item must be returned in it’s original condition and original packaging. Shipping costs will not be refunded. You are responsible for return shipping fees, postal insurance fees for the full value of the item, a restocking fee, and providing us with tracking information. A repair fee may be assessed if the item has been damaged and requires repair since originally leaving our possession. Returns lost or damaged in shipping will not be refunded.
Yolanda Martinez is Apache/Comanche/Hispanic born in Southern New Mexico. She is an Artist, Singer, Composer, and Master Drum Maker. She was one of 11 children and was raised in New Mexico untill the age of 15, when her family moved to the San Joaquin Valley, California, in 1965.
In 1986 Spirit sent a message for her to make a Drum. Yolanda made her first drum in 1987. This turned out to be a base drum made out of a redwood planter. She thought she had completed her task, and was ready to move on. Great Spirit still kept after her to “MAKE DRUMS”!
After a lot of frustration, prayers, tears, and a near death experience she decided to surrender and let Spirit guide her, this is when she started creating Authentic Native American Drums that wake up your soul, and balance and connect you with Earth Mothers rhythms in nature, Her heartbeat, and song.
In summer of 1975 Yolanda was drawn to Alaska where she spent 8 years on the Island of Kodiak where she was one of the first Commercial Fishing Women, as back then women were not allowed on fishing boats. In 1980 she decided to move her and her daughter back to California where she started the Central Valley Moon Lodges in Modesto.
In 1993 she moved to Asheville, NC where she spent 6 years in the beautiful forest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This beautiful, magical land is what inspired her to create and write her music. Yolanda currently resides in Las Cruces, New Mexico, her beautiful home state with the Organ Mountains in her back yard, beautiful sunsets, and glorious nights. She is continuing her work and is conducting Drum Making Workshops, Drumming Circles, Women’s Circles and Concerts nationally and internationally.
Yolanda has been very active in teaching and organizing the spiritual way of the woman and the balance between herself, her family and Mother Earth. Using her Drums and her Songs, Yolanda works through her music.
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