Peyote Bead Work: Turning Glass into Cloth
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A decade ago, before I had done Peyote bead work, I attended a local bead show. It was for jewelry makers and most of the wares were pile and strings of beads, I wouldn't have thought there could be do much in the world, let alone in one show in Raleigh, NC. What a little bumpkin I was!
But I found a table with wonderful seed bead necklaces, hand made in Africa. There were only a couple of styles, but many colors to choose from. The work was intricate in that way that can break your heart. Especially when the price for a long, complicated necklace was only $40. Now, I was glad that it was affordable, but I did some quick calculations in my head. The vender standing before me had to be making some money. The person who sold it to her had to make money. I wondered how many middle persons stood between me and the artist, all taking from that $40.
I didn't do tiny bead work then, but had done enough knitting and needle point to know exactly now many hours went into the necklaces, and how sore the fingers would get if it was done at any kind of speed at all. And if they were doing it for profit, not hobby, they had to go fast.
I was a gem/stone snob in those days, certainly not looking for anything made from tiny glass beads, but they were so beautiful, and affordable.
I asked the question I had to ask. What do these women make? I learned that some agency, or someone, provided them with the materials, the beads, needles and sting, for free, and then gave them 'free' cheese for completed projects.
I could picture talented artists with hungry children standing on the road side with signs reading: Will Create Painstaking Art Work to Adorn You for Cheese. I bought the necklace, not the matching earrings and went home.
I called Heifer International and ordered a flock of chickens to be sent to a single mother family in Africa. I knew it wouldn't go to my artist, but hopefully some woman would be able to stop working for cheese.
If you believe in karma, btw, you will appreciate that a year or so later it fell apart. While the work was impeccable, apparently the string they were supplied was not high quality.
A decade ago, before I had done Peyote bead work, I attended a local bead show. It was for jewelry makers and most of the wares were pile and strings of beads, I wouldn't have thought there could be do much in the world, let alone in one show in Raleigh, NC. What a little bumpkin I was!
But I found a table with wonderful seed bead necklaces, hand made in Africa. There were only a couple of styles, but many colors to choose from. The work was intricate in that way that can break your heart. Especially when the price for a long, complicated necklace was only $40. Now, I was glad that it was affordable, but I did some quick calculations in my head. The vender standing before me had to be making some money. The person who sold it to her had to make money. I wondered how many middle persons stood between me and the artist, all taking from that $40.
I didn't do tiny bead work then, but had done enough knitting and needle point to know exactly now many hours went into the necklaces, and how sore the fingers would get if it was done at any kind of speed at all. And if they were doing it for profit, not hobby, they had to go fast.
I was a gem/stone snob in those days, certainly not looking for anything made from tiny glass beads, but they were so beautiful, and affordable.
I asked the question I had to ask. What do these women make? I learned that some agency, or someone, provided them with the materials, the beads, needles and sting, for free, and then gave them 'free' cheese for completed projects.
I could picture talented artists with hungry children standing on the road side with signs reading: Will Create Painstaking Art Work to Adorn You for Cheese. I bought the necklace, not the matching earrings and went home.
I called Heifer International and ordered a flock of chickens to be sent to a single mother family in Africa. I knew it wouldn't go to my artist, but hopefully some woman would be able to stop working for cheese.
If you believe in karma, btw, you will appreciate that a year or so later it fell apart. While the work was impeccable, apparently the string they were supplied was not high quality.
The Indian Woman Who Made the Eagle.
A few years later I was at the North Carolina State fair and somehow wondered into the Native American Area. I say somehow because, this was the first year they had an area and it was in the outskirts in the woods. Anyway....I was, of course, looking for silver and turquoise, not little glass beads. However I kept finding wonderful and affordable earrings and other small pieces. Then I saw the eagle you see here. I hadn't started doing peyote yet and I probably over-estimated the time it would have taken, but certainly not the skill. I still haven't tried a piece like this.
The young woman explained to me that her mother had made it, but didn't really want to price it. She didn't think that anyone would want to spend money on anything she made. That of course, made me really want to have it. I don't remember the price, but it was many times my African 'cheese for work' necklace.
However, as I wrote the check, i added $5. "Be sure to tell your mother that someone actually paid more than she asked, because it was so good."
Hopelessly Ambitious Beading
I love to look through the books, magazines and especially the pictures of prize winning peyote or brick (similar, but not overlapping, I don't know how to do it) work.
People make the most amazing things. Landscapes and portraits and abstracts. Wow.
I had almost forgotten about my grandfather -in-law. A gruff old German, he had been a macho kind of guy. However, after he retired he attended a Senior Center where he learned to do Peyote. He did it on a loom. Don't ask me about that, it looks much harder and I am not interested. I was interesting it getting some, though. The other brother's wife and I had some pretty ambious projects for him. He said he would be happy to do them, but I am guessing that while he wanted to, he knew he couldn't.
I think he had actually made a very small village scene. Pretty amazing.
People make the most amazing things. Landscapes and portraits and abstracts. Wow.
I had almost forgotten about my grandfather -in-law. A gruff old German, he had been a macho kind of guy. However, after he retired he attended a Senior Center where he learned to do Peyote. He did it on a loom. Don't ask me about that, it looks much harder and I am not interested. I was interesting it getting some, though. The other brother's wife and I had some pretty ambious projects for him. He said he would be happy to do them, but I am guessing that while he wanted to, he knew he couldn't.
I think he had actually made a very small village scene. Pretty amazing.
curated content from YouTube
Danielle Embry Put Each One of These Beads on The String One at a Time! WOW!
Basic Peyote Instruction
Making and Reading Patterns #1
Beads from Beads
Making and Reading Patterns #2
More From Margo
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Lensmaster Works to Make African Bead Business Viable for Craftswomen
You really should go to this wonderful lens. Below is the comment that Laura left on this lens, but don't miss her story!
"We're working on importing African beaded jewelry in to the United States for sale. It is unbelievably expensive to post goods from Africa. Recently we sent $100 for necklaces and $100 for bracelets - it cost us $100 in postage. Sending money to buy the merchandise is also expensive: Western Union is the most reliable route and it costs. To be able to keep the jewelry affordable and still send money back to the artisans is very difficult indeed."
"We're working on importing African beaded jewelry in to the United States for sale. It is unbelievably expensive to post goods from Africa. Recently we sent $100 for necklaces and $100 for bracelets - it cost us $100 in postage. Sending money to buy the merchandise is also expensive: Western Union is the most reliable route and it costs. To be able to keep the jewelry affordable and still send money back to the artisans is very difficult indeed."
Catch These Lenses on Buying Beads, Insturctions to Make and Original Ideas
1. Native American Bead Work has a simple and easy diagramed instruction.
2. Bead like Bead Brain has great designs
3. Yellowplum wampum shows a creative design to make beads from beads.
4. Seed bead guide is great for what to look for when buying.
2. Bead like Bead Brain has great designs
3. Yellowplum wampum shows a creative design to make beads from beads.
4. Seed bead guide is great for what to look for when buying.
Are You Going to Try Peyotes Now? Well, At Least Write About the Work and Lens!
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mobileboutique
Feb 29, 2012 @ 10:50 pm | delete
- Amazed at what people can do with string and small beads!
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Tipi
Jan 15, 2012 @ 8:27 am | delete
- Peyote beading is a beautiful arts and crafts hobby or business to be in. I used to make some jewelery.
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blackspanielgallery
Jun 23, 2011 @ 4:22 pm | delete
- Crafts are interesting. This craft is particularly so.
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Evonne
May 25, 2011 @ 1:29 am | delete
- Wow, I am impressed the time and patience that must be involved with such creations blows my mind. I make jewelry and I know how much is involved for beads larger than this. I commend all the creators. You guys have much talent. If anyone is interested you can check out my beaded jewelry designs on my site for a little added inspiration, but on a larger bead size scale. =D
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ChrisDay
Apr 26, 2011 @ 11:01 pm | delete
- Amazing lens - I notice you have the 'blank image bug' too - I've reported it to HQ.
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About Margo Arrowsmith
Table of Contents
- The Indian Woman Who Made the Eagle.
- Hopelessly Ambitious Beading
- Danielle Embry Put Each One of These Beads on The String One at a Time! WOW!
- Basic Peyote Instruction
- Making and Reading Patterns #1
- Beads from Beads
- Making and Reading Patterns #2
- More From Margo
- Peyote Bracelet
- Lensmaster Works to Make African Bead Business Viable for Craftswomen
- Catch These Lenses on Buying Beads, Insturctions to Make and Original Ideas
- Are You Going to Try Peyotes Now? Well, At Least Write About the Work and Lens!
- Blog Posts from Google
- Peyote Quiz
- Violet
- Show Your Love of Beads to the World
- Idea and Inspirations!
- Get Your Free Report On Hiring a Home Health Aid
- Changing the Guard
- About Margo Arrowsmith
by Margo_Arrowsmith
Margo Arrowsmith received the "Lens of the Day" Twice
Arrowsmith Printing 9/22/08
Macular Degeneration: the Blindness You Can Prevent 4/5/11
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