Fishing Nets

• Fish, mollusks and other crustaceans were a major part of the Calusa's diet. They caught many of their fish in shallow water with handmade fishing nets. Bows from trees such as the willow are good to make the top part of the the net, while the handle should be made from a stronger branch. The Calusa also used shark teeth to decorate various tools. Shark teeth can be superglued as a decoration on the border of the net.
  
  

Willow Baskets

• Willow is a plentiful tree in the marshy areas of southern Florida and rendered a bountiful supply of material for the Calusa to create baskets. The branches of the willow tree are most flexible at the end and are optimal for weaving baskets. The Calusa used many natural resources including the bark of willow trees to line baskets and Spanish moss to weave into cords or clothing. Consider lining the inside of the willow basket with soft fresh pieces of bark that will dry as they shape into the inside form of the basket.
  
  

Dugout Boat Replicas

• The Calusa victoriously drove out Spanish conquistadors twice using their boats made from trees and expertise navigating the Florida waterways. Useppa Island holds an important archaeological site where researchers from the University of Florida have discovered dugout boats, paddles, and perspective on how they handled hurricanes. Consider replicating smaller model-like versions of their various fishing vessels such as their cargo canoes, flat barges and canoes and displaying them on a handmade painted version of the Florida marshlands with Spanish moss glued to represent the marshlands.
  
  

Headpiece Wood Carvings

• The most famous archaeological discovery of the Calusa are the Key Marco wood carvings that reflect their religious traditions and relationship with wildlife. The discovered artifacts included wooden headpieces of animals, particularly that of deer and cats, decorated with seashells as eyes and leather straps to tie to the head and allow movement. Archaeologists at the University of Florida assert they were used for ceremonies. Consider replicating a headpiece of deer, fish or felines then paint it in bright colors and decorate it with seashells. Carving a Calusa headpiece requires some wood carving skill and specialty carving tools.