Beadwork Origins: Native American Beadwork

re: Beadwork Origins: Native American Beadwork

WilmaA — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:14:12 GMT

Many years ago my husband and I went to visit his cousin in New Mexico.

We heard that there was an Indian tribal gathering in Gallup so we decided to go .

There was dancing, food and bead work on display and for sale. At that time I was not a beader but I did buy a few things.

When I went to the restroom I was the only white face in the room .

The talking stopped and then started up again

I could not understand anything being said but I didn,t feel frightened in anyway.

I made me think about what it would be like to be in that situation but too also feel afraid. Willa

re: Beadwork Origins: Native American Beadwork

DFlamedancer — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:42:59 GMT

Native American bead work is how I got into beading in the first place, as well! One of my mother's friend had discovered bead weaving and introduced it to me which got me going. Of course, at that time, there wasn't nearly the interest in beading as there is today.

Fast forward to last year and my sister-in-law took me to a local pow-wow. Seeing all the wonderfully crafted bead work inspired me to get back into beading and I haven't looked back. Now, I've found such incredible versatility and variety, I don't think I'm ever going to get bored!

re: Beadwork Origins: Native American Beadwork

JazLav12 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:37:52 GMT

I do mostly Native American beadwork, both for myself and custom work for other Native people.

re: Beadwork Origins: Native American Beadwork

mamamimifive — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:18:38 GMT

My love for beadwork all started when my neighbor (who traded some "rocks" for beadwork) gave me a pair of Native American beaded barrettes. Ever since, we go to the "ShoBan Festival" in Fort Hall, Idaho (10 miles from my house) as it is held around the time of my birthday. Eventually, I asked a Native American dear friend to teach me how to do it. That began my odyssey with seed beads. Now I make my own barrettes and jewelry. I love going to the "pow wow" as they have many, many vendors selling gorgeous pieces and some selling beads, too

re: Beadwork Origins: Native American Beadwork

Timothy Gilmore — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:17:29 GMT

I've designed a beading pattern utilizing several Navajo "Kachina" figures to be worked into a fringe decoration for the back of a jean jacket. It'll take over 10,000 beads, and I'm merely waiting to get enough cash for the beads. It's three panels each about 2 feet x 10", one for the left arm, one for the right and a panel across the shoulders. I'd like LOTS more American Indian beadwork sources, websites, etc. There's a documentary called, The Powwow Trail, 11 discs showing Indian Powwows and dancing styles, but it's an explosion of beadwork and colors, a history of Indians and what they had to put up with from the Americans and their genocidal government. Available on Amazon.com.

re: Beadwork Origins: Native American Beadwork

BeckyP@18 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:43:14 GMT

Hey Jen, Do we get to see the earrings that you made for the challenge? I am interested. Becky

re: Beadwork Origins: Native American Beadwork

onekisscreations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:54:21 GMT

Jennifer, this was in my in-box this morning and I cannot thank you enough for this post. Lately I have been contemplating my next jewelry move but keep going back to beadweaving. When I was 3 years old, I traveled to Santa Fe and I was instantly hooked on Native American Beadwork. I loved the colors and patterns. My mom then took me to the Museum of the American Indian, then located in Harlem, several times a year. I would spend hours lost in the beaded patterns. It wasn't until my late 30s that I actually had the courage to take weaving classes. This post was a very good reminder as to why I came to jewelry in the first place and it is ok to branch out, but equally ok to stay where my heart lives. Thank You :-)

Christine