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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. In the ancient world tribes would use the bones of animals and string them onto fibers and would wear them believing that they would protect the wearer from bad spirits.

As civilization became more advanced man would learn how to drill and pierce holes in objects and this led to great progress in beading. Necklaces would be created from many objects that would include seashells, seed pods and nut shells as well as many other objects. Bead development would later progress by coloring the 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. Silver and gold would also be added.

Beads would become in great demand and would become a valuable trading commodity and were traded and exported all around the world, even as far back as 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 to the Vikings and the Celts who would develop wonderful amulets, necklaces and bracelets. The Native American Indians would also embrace beading and their works are still used today in modern fashion such as turquoise colored watch bands, belts and necklaces.

Beading was and still is an integral part of Native American culture. Many Indian tribes in the Americas would train their womenfolk at becoming adept in the beading arts. 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. That is rather different to the norm in Western societies where the finished product is what is valued most and not the workmanship that created it.

ForĀ more information and ideasĀ about beads, beading and beads history please visit http://www.beadyeyez.com


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