Native American beads

Introduction Beaded items for religious purposes are either made personally (medicine pouch, Pipe bag), or given by relatives, not bought or sold. Beadwork on such items often reminds the owner of a personal vision or sign or the meaning of a personal name, it is not only to make them beautiful. However, making sacred objects beautiful, especially by taking a lot of time and care, shows honor and respect to the spiritual powers, not only through words and feelings, but through artistry and work. This reality -- the work done as itself a prayer or vow -- underlies and strengthens ceremonial activities.

Animal fetish beads A fetish is an object which is believed to have magical, protective,  and healing powers. It is made in the likeness of an animal and thought to have special powers related to that animals’ talents and attributes.

Animals and other figures are carved from flat pieces of turquoise or shell. These are drilled and strung between groups of "rocky" or shaped turquoise, silver, or heishii shell beads to make "story" necklaces, where the storyteller can show children each character as she tells the story. Some say women first got the idea for story necklaces from the rosary beads of Catholic priests. Most purchased "story- type" necklaces actually tell no story, but mothers, older sisters, grandmas and teachers make one up to fit the beads. (White traders have given storyteller necklaces the unfortunate name of "fetish" suggesting both some kind of cult and psychological obsession.) Corn maiden necklace

Bone beads Beads were carved and shaped of animal horn, turtle shell, and deer hooves, often for dangling dance tinklers or rattlers. Animal teeth and claws were bored and strung. Bear or wolf-claw necklaces were proof of a hunter's powers. Wooden beads, sometimes dyed, were carved and drilled. Hard seeds were steamed to soften them for awl piercing and stringing. Small animal bones were polished and shaped into tapered cylinders (called hairpipe bone) for neck chokers and large dance regalia breastplates. Softened, flattened dyed porcupine quills were used too

Beads are important in archaeological studies of pre-European history Beads are important in archaeological studies of pre-European history. They survive thousands of years well. Seashell beads are important today because ancient shell beads are found thousands of miles from seacoasts, indicating trade contacts among ancient peoples.  Shell Beads

Clay Beads

Beads made out of Seeds As today, seeds or beans etc.. Used for beads needed to be soaked overnight to enable them to be strung.

Stone Beads One very slow way of drilling through a bead was to use a thin, hardwood stick coated in damp sand, which acted as an abrasive which was twisted in the hand (for a very long period) to slowly drill a hole in the bead from each side.

Animal sinew split fine was the commonest material used to string beads and to attach beads to hide garments, although occasionally strong twined plant fibers (such as nettle) or hide thongs were used.

Resources Written information http://www.kstrom.net/isk/art/beads/art_bead.html http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_did_the_native_Americans_make_beads Images: http://www.westernartifacts.com/ and image searches