The use of beads to embellish everyday items most likely came from their original significance as spiritual objects, talismans to ward off evil spirits and bring luck to hunters. Objects decorated with beads were considered highly-prized personal possessions, to be treasured and passed down through generations. While beads are no longer commonly used for protection, they are often incorporated into items that we value, such as our clothing, purses, hair accessories, jewelry and even shoes. Native American artists still use tiny seed beads to create ceremonial headdresses, traditional jewelry and beaded leather items. Bead crafters from around the world also incorporate a variety of materials into their art. Glass, crystal, plastic, metal and wood beads are the most popular kinds of beads for crafting, and are often hand painted and decorated to add depth and dimension. Beads are usually categorized by size and type, and sold either in hanks, which are unit bundles of bead strands, or by weight. Depending on the size of the bead, hanks will be cut longer or shorter, and will contain more or fewer total beads. Bead sizes are expressed as "aughts," or, how many beads can fit into a standard unit. Beads--glass, wood, porcelain and crystal--have been a part of human culture and art for centuries. Today, they are a popular crafting material used to create art, jewelry and accessories. Classes in bead work are widely available for those who wish to learn the techniques involved in making one-of-a-kind beaded artwork. |
