8. Use of Beadwork

 

As I described on the previous pages, there are several ways to use beadwork.

The most common are the woven bracelets. A few years ago it was fashionable to wear those and almost every teenager had them. The more the better, since those were also called "friendship-bracelets" and the more one had, the more friends she/he had.
Almost every color was used and most of the time the bracelet displayed a name, either of the owner or the maker.
Sometimes there were also floral designs used.

I for my part used only designs from or similair to Native American designs.

Another way to use beadwork is to decorate shirts.

Native Americans used beadwork also to "paint pictures"......

...... besides of decorating their dresses and moccasins.

Native Americans also used beadwork to decorate the dresses of puppets.

I made a dress for a teddy. §;-)

 

It is also used for the decoration of "every day use" objects like barrets and purses.

 

Making keyrings is also very popular.

But the most important thing, for which beadwork is used, is to decorate Pow Wow Outfits. (See the explanation What is a Pow Wow?)