The Development of Beading
The art of stringing beads together has been known to mankind since ancient times and has been practiced for many reasons including symbolizing religious beliefs. Back in the ancient world tribes used the bones of wild animals and would string them onto fibers and would then wear them for protection believing that they would be safe from bad spirits.
As human civilization advanced beading progressed as a result of man learning how to pierce objects through drilling holes. Necklaces were created out of many objects such as seed pods, seashells and nut shells as well as many other objects. Bead development would eventually progress with the coloring of beads. Clay beads would often be coated in enamel
The Egyptians were masters of glass making and they would revolutionize bead making as glass beads were far more beautiful and could be used to make the most wonderful necklaces. They would use glass that would come in many different colors and they would combine these colored glass beads with gemstones, both precious and semi-precious. Gold and silver would also be added.
There would be a great demand for beads and they would become a valuable trading commodity that would be exported and traded all around the world since ancient times. Many cultures would embrace beading especially the Chinese, Babylonians and in ancient India.
The Romans also had a great influence on the development of beading and they would trade beads all over the different parts of the Roman Empire. This influence would spread to the Celts and the Vikings who would use beads to make wonderful bracelets, necklaces and amulets. Beading would also be embraced by the Native American Indians whose works are still used today in the latest fashions such as in turquoise colored watch bands, necklaces and belts.
Beading was and still is an integral part of Native American culture. Many America Indian tribes would train their women to become adept in the art of beading. A technique known as bead quilling was considered to be sacred. It was the art and workmanship of bead quilling itself that was considered sacred and not the finished beaded products themselves. This is unlike Western society where it is normal to value finished products more than the workmanship that was required to produce them.
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