Peyote Stitch

Peyote stitch, also known as gourd stitch, is a form of bead weaving that has been used for centuries, particularly by indigenous peoples in North America. It is named after the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii), which has played a significant role in religious and cultural practices among various indigenous groups.

Peyote stitch is believed to have been used by Native American cultures as early as the 18th century, although its exact origin is difficult to pinpoint. Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains, Southwestern United States, and Mexico were among the first to incorporate beadwork into their art and everyday objects. Beads were typically made from natural materials like bone, shell, stone, and later glass beads, which were introduced to the Americas through European trade.

The peyote cactus, which contains the psychoactive compound mescaline, has long been used by indigenous groups in religious and spiritual ceremonies. These rituals often involve the consumption of peyote to induce visions or connect with the spiritual world.

Peyote stitch was traditionally used to craft items that were part of these ceremonies, such as prayer bundles, pouches, and regalia worn during rituals. Some of these items were meant to hold the peyote plant itself or other sacred items. In this sense, the stitch wasn't just a craft; it was an integral part of spiritual practice.

Today, peyote stitch continues to be a widely practiced technique in the world of beadwork, both within Native American communities and among bead enthusiasts around the globe. It is used to create everything from jewellery to wearable art to decorative accessories.

Herringbone Stitch

The herringbone stitch, also known as the Ndebele stitch, has roots in the beadwork traditions of the Ndebele people of South Africa, where it's used to create intricate and symbolic designs, and is now a popular beading technique worldwide.

The herringbone stitch is deeply embedded in the cultural identity of the Ndebele people, where beadwork serves as a form of artistic expression and communication.

Ndebele beadwork, including herringbone stitch designs, often carries symbolic meaning, reflecting social status, personal identity, and cultural beliefs.

In some Ndebele communities, beadwork becomes a form of language, with specific patterns and colours conveying messages and stories.

The herringbone stitch has gained popularity beyond its origins, with beaders and craft enthusiasts worldwide adopting the technique for creating a variety of projects, including jewellery, accessories, and decorative items.

Bead Crochet

Bead crochet is a crochet technique that incorporates beads into a crochet fabric. The technique is used to produce decorative effects in women's fashion accessories. The word "crochet" is derived from the French croche or croc meaning "to hook". Published descriptions of bead crochet date from around 1824, although it was probably common before then. At one time, bead crochet was thought by some people to be appropriate only for rich people.

Early examples of bead crochet include nineteenth century miser's purses. By the 1920s bead crochet technique also made necklace ropes, bracelets, and beaded bags. Bead crochet waned during the 1930s when the Great Depression reduced free time for decorative needlework and as inexpensive manufactured goods became more readily available. Interest in bead crochet has revived somewhat in recent years as a hobbyist pastime.

Bead Embroidery

Embroidery and the use of glass beads in clothing and jewellery became a trademark of Coco Chanel – who is considered to have created, or at least popularised, the flapper style – during this period. Many high end designers incorporated glass beads from Europe, especially Czech glass beads, into their designs. Skirts were designed to move and sway with a woman’s movements, and glass beads, metal threads, and sequins were used to complement the unique design of the flapper dress. These heavy materials gave flapper dresses their weight, movement, and sparkle. The glass beading would have shimmered under the artificial lights inside clubs and bars, remaining steadfast even into the early 1930s before more simplistic, bias-cut styles rose to popularity.