Beading and Materials
Beads and beading are a part of human culture and history, and it start was in prehistory. Some beads and bead usage that archaeologists find in Africa that carbon-date to as early as 10,000 BC. And some found in Europe date even farther back. The practice of beading has endured to the present day.
Traditional items to make beads are bone, glass, and shells. Other traditional bead materials are gemstones and metals. For example, Egyptians used gold to make beads. Later, worry beads from Greece were made from amber, wood, glass, and precious stones. From the Middle Ages on, Prayer Beads (or Rosaries) have been made from wood, glass, and sterling silver.
How Beads Affected Human Endeavor
It really does not matter where beads originated, however. In every culture that is studied, beads have played a role in many things. Uses for bead work include prayer, for communication, art, status symbols, and trade. Tales of beads in trade show how valuable they were. It is also possible that vocal and written languages exist today due to the trading of beads.
Beading is A Great Hobby
Beading is a wonderful activity for those who have a great imagination and find doing precise, detailed work. I find it relaxing to bead. I do not have a huge imagination, and have a hard time creating original works. When bead, and need inspiration, there are plenty of sources to use to inspire me in generating ideas. If worst comes to worst, I can look in books or magazines to find patterns I can use or modify.
I find that handling beads can be soothing. There are craft stores that have bulk beads out for sale. Running my hands though these bead bins is just gratifying to the senses. And the act of stringing or weaving beads gives me a sense of order and productivity while I am taking time to relax.
It has been a craft loved for centuries, because of how it gives the artist a very unique opportunity to show their personality when they create beautiful designs. These designs can be intricate or simple, and can be given as gifts or sold as jewelry or art displays. And the way that it gives such satisfaction when a project just clicks together. These moments are conducive to a feeling of calm and enjoyment.
Being able to express oneself in any form of art is a joy. With beads, you have an almost endless possibilities. The huge array of colors, along with all of the different sizes, shapes, and textures really allows the beader to soar. There is no limit to what someone can create.
Sharing the Results
One of the most rewarding aspects of beading is the opportunity to share your creations with others. Whether you’re gifting a beaded piece to a loved one or selling your creations at a craft fair or online, seeing others appreciate and enjoy your work can be incredibly fulfilling. Beading can also be a social activity, as you can gather with others who share your passion and work on projects together.
Everyone knows that when you give, you gain as much as the receiver. Just think of the happiness that you can give someone by giving them a piece of beaded art or jewelry. They will have the joy that you care enough to give them something that you put so much of yourself into. You will have the happiness that comes with making somebody else’s day. And there is also the anticipation of the next project.
In conclusion, the joys of beading are many and varied. From the creative freedom to the sense of accomplishment and the calming effects, beading provides a wonderful outlet for self-expression, stress relief, and personal growth. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced beader, there’s always something new to learn and discover in this timeless craft.
Where Does Beading Fit Into Life Today?
Today the art of beading is alive and well. Beads are seen everywhere as part of personal adornment or as part of costume design and jewelry. Indeed, bead artists are busy creating works of art and decoration using different types of beads. People are using beadwork in embroidery. And they have so many types of beads to choose from.
Here are just a few:
- Bugle: These are long thin tubes of varying lengths and gauges
- Seed: These are very small round beads of various gauges
- Pony: These are quite large round beads suitable for leather thong and cord working
- Bone and Horn: Coming from Indonesia and the Philippines, crated into various shapes
- Lampworked: Handmade individually from glass
- India: Made of many different elements
And there are many more. With some imagination and work, anything can become a bead.
Moreover, beads can be strung on a variety of threads or on wire. The different kinds of threads are:
- Beading thread, fine to coarse, depending on the type of bead being worked
- Embroidery floss
- Leather thong
- Hemp cordage
- Plastic line
- Silk or Nylon
- Monofilament, similar to fishing line
- Nymo, a thread that requires bead wax to make it smooth and durable
There are almost as many ways to do bead work as there are beads. For example, there is simple stringing, there is the complex bead stitching with a needle, weaving the beads on a bead loom, sewing beads onto fabric, and creating three dimensional items around a mold or with wire.
Those who bead today have such a large range of materials and forms of beading, from simple stringing to fancy stitch work to looms. And the range of colors available to work with is extraordinary. So seeing examples of what they dream up and bring to life is a treat.
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