Beading is a wonderful activity where you create one of a kind jewelry, accessories, home decor, objets d'art. It gives loads of satisfaction, it is therapeutic and fun.

Beads can be anything with a hole which can be strung, interlaced or stitched onto a fabric. A more refined definition of beads is small pieces of glass, wood, gemstones or any material with a hole in it. Beads have been used as currency and for decor and fashion long before there was recorded history.

Beadstringing Defined

• Simplest form beadwork
• Beads or objects are threaded on a string
• Stringing materials: thread, wire, elastic
• Playing with bead shapes and colors

Beadweaving Defined

• Interlaced strands of beads form new configurations
• Different techniques transform beads into new formations and patterns
• Creating 3-dimentional shape, i.e. boxes and vessels
• Can be done in hand or on a loom
• Easy to do

Bead Embroidery Defined

• Type of beadwork using a needle and thread to secure a bead
   onto the surface of a fabric, suede or leather
• Used as an embellishment on folk costumes, quilts, moccasin vamps
• Can be embroidered following a charted pattern or free form
• Color of thread matters when using transparent beads

Beadweaving Motifs

• Color placements of beads create motifs
• Requires advance planning to know which color of bead to select
   next as you bead weave in hand or on a loom
• Once a full repeat is done, easy to continue on the run