The Technique of North American Indian Beadwork (Paperback)

~ (Author) "In 1929, William C. Orchard, who is in a very real sense the "father" of every major work on North American Indian craft work since..." (more)
Key Phrases: Millie Etheredge, Cradle Board Cover, Gun Case

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This informative and easy to read book was written by noted author and editor Monte Smith and contains complete instructions on every facet of doing beadwork. Included is information on selecting and buying beads; materials used (and how to use them); an examination of Indian beadwork designs, their development, significance and uses, with special emphasis on tribal differences; step-by-step instructions on how to make your own beadwork loom, doing loom work and the variations of loom work; appliqu stitches including the lazy stitch, "crow" stitch, running stitch, spot stitch and return stitch; bead wrapping and peyote stitch; how to make rosettes; making beaded necklaces; and, a special section on beadwork edging.

The book features examples and photos of beadwork from 1835 to the present time from twenty-three tribes. Photos include beaded articles from the Apache, Arapaho, Assiniboine, Bannock, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Chippewa-Cree, Commanche, Cree, Crow, Flathead, Gros Ventre, Huron, Kiowa, Mohawk, Navajo, Ojibiwa, Omaha, Otto, Piaute, Pottawatomi, Sac & Fox, Shoshone, Sioux, Umatilla, Ute, Winnebago and Yakima tribes. There is also a section of notes, a selected bibliography and an index.

A time tested best seller. Anyone interested in the craft work of the North American Indian will profit from owning this book.

200 illustrations; 167 photographs; 4 pages in full color.

Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: Eagles View Publishing; 1st edition (September 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943604028
• ISBN-13: 978-0943604022
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,442 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #11 in	Books > Arts & Photography > History & Criticism > Regional > Native American
  #82 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Beadwork
  #87 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Special Groups > Native American Studies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Book for Beginners, August 23, 2000

By	Jane A. Johnson (Bemidji, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Monte Smith has produced an excellent book for anyone wishing to begin authentic beadwork. He provides complete information regarding the materials and supplies needed. There is a lot of information about the technical aspects of this craft. The book has excellent illustrations on how to make the various stitches with beads on leather, which interested me the most. He has also included numerous photos of original artifacts that a person can use for design ideas. There is also a coded (by letters) reference under the photos which indicates the museums that have those items on display. The only improvement this basic book could have would be color photos which would be of help in selecting beads for a project.

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Depends on what your looking for., July 14, 2004

By	"unclassifiedamy" (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

I just got this book the other night, so I haven't had the chance to thoroughly read it yet. So far, I think the text part is better than the photography. I find it easy to read and it seems to touch on several topics. Unfortunately, not being well versed in Native American/Indian history, I don't know how accurate that information is, so I'm no help in analyzing that part of the book. He seems to me to do a good job describing techinques, and the illustrations are helpful to me. If you're looking for good photos though, I would not recommend this book.