Beaded Jewelry
Beaded jewelry can be made from many different kinds of
material. Most common materials are glass, wood, and stone. Options
are abound when it comes to beaded crafts. The earliest known piece
of jewelry is a pair of 100,000 year old sea snail beads.
Beaded jewelry is easily customized and can often be rearranged. Beads
can be threaded onto wire, cord, hemp, thread and many other materials.
Glass and ceramic beads can be many colors and designs some with patterns.
Plastic is also used and can be in the forms of acrylic and Lucite.
Whatever material used beads offer versatility. Many cultures have used
beaded jewelry to pass on traditions of craftsmanship. Native Americans
often use seed beads woven together in intricate patterns that require
time and skill. These classic pieces are valuable and are often imitated.