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Beading Supplies for Native Beadwork
Beading supplies for Native beadwork allow you to create pieces that are, in a word, gorgeous. The stunning patterns created with tiny, brilliant glass seed beads to decorate moccasins, clothing, gloves and other items are nothing short of amazing. Beading supplies allow you to make beaded jewelry, such as earrings, necklaces and bracelets, as well as belts, just like those made by First Nations artists.Quillwork is similar to Native beadwork. In quillwork, porcupine quills are softened and dyed and are then sewn onto items. You may be familiar with quillwork baskets, which make beautiful gifts.
The craft of native beadwork isn’t an easy one. Artists require design skills, patience and the ability to work with incredibly small beads. The best First Nations artists have been practicing their craft for years.
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That said, it’s never too late to start to learn this intricate art form. With the right beading supplies and a lot of practice and dedication, anyone can turn out beautiful native beadwork.
Following is a discussion of the beadwork supplies you’ll need, the basic types of beading and some information about the history of native beadwork.
Beading Supplies for Native Beadwork
- Glass seed beads in various colours
- Thread
- Needles
- A loom, either home made or purchased
Types of Native Beadwork
Peyote beading is a relatively easy type of Native beadwork that even children can do. Seed beads are strung with needle and thread and the beadwork is joined to form a hollow tube. It’s ideal for earrings, necklaces and bracelets. You’ll also find peyote beading covers for rattles, bottles or lighters.As for supplies, old-style cut glass seed beads show up nicely in peyote beading. You can find them in many First Nations craft stores. Reportedly, Czechoslovakia supplies first-rate old-style cut glass beads, so ask your favourite supplier about Czech manufacturers.
Plains beadwork is often done using a stitch called lazy stitch. This stitch is good for decorating leather clothing and moccasins. Quillwork is also done with this stitch.
A great deal of First Nations beadwork is done on looms. These are usually home made but you can purchase looms in various sizes as well. This type of beadwork is used to create the patterns characterizing First Nations beadwork.
In the past, patterns for native beadwork done on looms were worked out on graph paper. Today, there are free online programs you can use to plan your beadwork pattern before you start working on the loom. It’s a fast, easy way to get started.
History of Native Beadwork
Before Europeans arrived, people had to make their own beading supplies. Historically, First Nations beadwork was done with beads carved from nature’s bounty.Depending on the environment, beads were carved from stones, shells and precious stones. Ivory, animal bones, antler and teeth were also used to make beautiful beading supplies.
When the Europeans arrived, they brought with them small glass beads called seed beads. With their wide range of colours, seed beads added a new dimension to native beadwork. Glass seed beads became the most commonly used bead in First Nations beadwork and are still used today.
