| Beadwork is the art or craft of attaching | | | | expressions of Native American traditional |
| beads to one another or to cloth using a | | | | cultural arts. |
| needle and thread. Beadwork is the most | | | | |
| traditional form of Indian art. Beadwork is | | | | Jewelry |
| often found only on prestige items due to its | | | | |
| costly labor intensive demands. Beadwork is | | | | Each piece of jewellery, in its shape, |
| the form a woman will often choose when a | | | | patterns, and colors, speaks of the wearer's |
| most special gift is called for; the beaded | | | | culture. Those using beading as a hobby can |
| object is love made visible. Today's modern | | | | derive satisfaction from being able to make |
| beaders are using traditional beads and | | | | simple beaded jewellery for grandchildren or |
| material to create their own jewelry, | | | | friends. Beading activities in therapy have |
| including necklaces, bracelets, and ear | | | | been associated mostly with children, but |
| rings. | | | | with the surge in popularity of beaded |
| | | | jewellery over the last several years, |
| Beads | | | | beadwork has become an acceptable adult craft |
| | | | intervention. |
| Beads were carved and shaped of animal horn, | | | | |
| turtle shell, and deer hooves, and even | | | | Beadwork is also used in purses, jewellery, |
| modern plastics. Beads have also been used | | | | picture frames and other whimsies. Most of |
| for religious purposes, as good luck | | | | the finest beadwork is still done only for |
| talismans, and as curative agents. Beads | | | | relatives and gift giveaways. With a host of |
| range in size from under a millimeter to over | | | | different styles, colors, materials and |
| a centimeter. Beads are truly universal, and | | | | crafting techniques, Native American Beadwork |
| are among the oldest items manufactured by | | | | is known for its beauty, its craftsmanship, |
| humans. | | | | however it plays a crucial role in the |
| | | | ceremonies and traditions of the Native |
| Native | | | | American people as well as helps preserve the |
| | | | culture and traditions of the numerous tribes |
| Native women were inspired to invent beadwork | | | | within North America. It is sometimes |
| techniques unknown to Europeans, as well as | | | | difficult to decide whether beadwork is a |
| beautiful and sometimes spiritually or | | | | craft, an art, a communicational system |
| historically-inspired culturally unique | | | | similar in principle to a written language or |
| designs. Native American beadwork can be | | | | part of a symbolic code used for their own |
| carved from shells, coral, stones, animal | | | | purposes by specialists in traditional magic. |
| bones and other materials, reflecting the | | | | We here in America should acknowledge a debt |
| Native Americans deep relationship with the | | | | of gratitude to Native Americans (as the |
| earth and mother nature. Native American | | | | closest people to us, with unique and |
| beadwork examples have been found for | | | | outstanding beadwork traditions), while |
| centuries, dating back to their arrival in | | | | respecting the facts that the new beadwork is |
| North America long before the first of what | | | | not of itself "Indian", nor necessarily |
| would be many settlers arrived in the late | | | | "Indian-based", and that beadwork everywhere |
| 1400's from Europe and elsewhere. Native | | | | is admirable. |
| American Indian beadwork is one of the finest | | | | |