Beadwork

Glass beads and glass beadworks are part of many traditions for various nations and tribes throughout the world. Those of the North-American Indian Nations are certainly among the best known and the most beautiful.

With the discovery of the North-American continent by the Europeans colored glass beads were introduced to the Indian territory. For the Indian Nations of the Great Plains (i.e. the area between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi) and the Great Lakes (i.e. the big lakes in the North-East of the USA) glass beads were a welcome addition to their traditional decorative materials such as animal furs and porcupine quills.

Beadwork can traditionally be found on pieces of clothing and many items of daily life. Sometimes based on the colors and design used (especially on older items) an item can be traced back to the tribe where it was produced.

Various techniques are being used by the artists of glass bead stitching.

To get a detailed description of each item click on image in table.

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