Beading History

This "Beading History" article was written by Natalie McNamara. To read her other articles, click here.

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Beading is the art of working with small beads to create an artistic decoration, which can either be worn or displayed.

Over time these decorations have not only grown in size but also is their complexities.

Beading is an art form which is continually growing in popularity.

Beading is not restricted to culture or ancestry and you will find all parts of the globe at least dabble in some form or another of beading.

Some for religious reasons, others for ceremonies and special occasions.

Ceremonies which involve extensive beading usually have a long history and background to it.

Beading History

Back in the 1800s and 1900s beading with small beads had its ups and downs. Like most trends it went through the patches where beading was extremely popular to times when only a few would bead.

It was between 1830 - 1850 that the tiniest and most colourful beads were being produced. Beads of this caliber are no longer produced and they are rare antiques today.

Back in the 1950s, beading grew in popularity with many designer clothes and accessories becoming part of every day life. Prices of these garments increased and so did the price of the beads themselves.

With the 1960s came the Love Beads and every one had numerous beaded necklaces and bracelets draping all over their bodies.

The 1980s - 1990s brought about big changes in the beading patterns produced and the types of decorations created.

Many artists became experimental in all areas of art, resulting in fabulous costumes, head pieces and jewelry.

The Native Americans bead work dates back centuries and is renowned for its detail. The techniques and the style used back then have all come back into fashion and are used today.

The advancement of beading as an art form is largely due to the techniques and patterns shared by the Native American population.

Many stitches started with the basics of what the Native American produced many years ago and have now taken the style many steps further.

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