Understanding America Through Art, Unit X 10...Understanding America Through Art ... Wampum – Native American form of communication using white and purple mussel shell beads ...

Understanding America Through Art SACSCE HS Subj 9-09 Unit X, page 1

Understanding America Through Art, Unit X:

The Art of Craft

Rosie, the Uncaged Hen – Robin Atkins. Glass and stone beads embroidered into fabric, set on wood base.


GLOSSARY

Focal point – the first part of the work of art, craft item, painting or sculpture that attracts the eye

Antique - a decorative object or piece of furniture, of an earlier period, that is valued for its beauty, workmanship, and age

Transparent – so fine in texture that the object can be seen through Opaque - not able to be seen through; not transparent or translucent Acrylic paint – synthetic, water-based paint with the high gloss finish of oil but much easier to use and much less

expensive than oil Enamel paint – oil-based paint that dries to a hard, glossy finish Construction paper – heavy, coarse craft paper Tanning – the process of preparing animal hides for use in clothing or tool manufacturing; the tanning process uses

chemicals to turn the animal skins into long-lasting leather.

Suede – napped or brushed leather finish of the hides of lamb, goat, pig, calf or deer; suede is usually softer and thinner than other leathers. Buckskin – similar to suede; soft, pliable leather usually from the hides of deer

Grommets – metal, plastic or rubber rings inserted into material to seal an edge around the hole; grommets require a special eyelet setting tool. Appliqué – the process of applying one fabric over another by stitching around the edge of the material placed on top Score – cut

Swivel knife – a tool used in leather scoring that allows free movement around curves Remnants – small lengths of left-over fabric sold in bundles at fabric or craft stores

Collage – a work of art; newspaper clippings, ribbons, bits of colored or hand-made papers, portions of other artwork, photographs and other found objects, are glued to a piece of paper or canvas.

Plait – braid Scrapbook – an album designed to hold photographs, paper art, and other objects or mementoes, usually collected to represent a time period like school years, or an event, like a graduation Digital photos – photos taken with a digital camera that uses electronics in place of film; digital camera photos are

displayed on a computer. Prints can be made using special printers and papers. Clip art - refers to pre-made images, cartoon characters, or drawings used to illustrate any document; Clip art comes in many forms, both electronic and printed.

Fonts – style of typing used in digital printing. This is an example of the font called French Script.

Calligraphy – hand lettering in fancy, scripted or printed style

Wampum – Native American form of communication using white and purple mussel shell beads arranged in coded

messages, passed from tribe to tribe Alloy – the product resulting from mixing two or more metals to form a stronger metal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipping_(publications)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photograph

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Found_object


What is Craft?

Craft is the broad category of hand fashioned objects found

within a culture that contain the expression of art using materials that may be considered ordinary. Glass, wood and

plant fiber, paper, fabric, clay, leather, seeds and nuts, and even wire can be crafted into objects of study that make their way into the museums of fine art. These objects are made

from materials that have been enhanced through a process of design and workmanship by the hands and creativity of an

expressive crafts person. The craft artist is not only a skillful designer, but must also have knowledge of the science of the material, its physical strength, weakness and capability in order

for the piece to succeed.

Coming to America, the artisans among the colonists, and later the foreign-born immigrants, discovered a remarkable entrepreneurial freedom that was outside their European experience. In

a revelation that resonates to this very day, they were no longer restricted by the class and guild traditions of Europe. By working hard, they would succeed on their own terms, based on their

own name, reputation and quality of work. Craft in America continues to evolve with our ever-changing culture. During the past two

centuries, artists who work with clay, fiber, metal and wood have enjoyed an open field for creating objects of useful practicality, ethnic authenticity and uniquely decorative designs.

President Jimmy Carter (1977 – 1981) describes his experiences with crafts which led to the design of his own black walnut Shaker style bench:

As a child in rural America, I grew up surrounded by family and

friends who made things – women who came together in quilting bees; carpenters who built furniture, carved whirligigs, and made pull toys; blacksmiths who forged raw iron into

objects of beauty and utility.

I watched over their shoulders and gained an early appreciation for anyone who created things with their hands. These were

people who took pride in their work and signed what they made with their names or with their special look or design. The recipients knew they possessed something that was filled with

love – worth more than money could buy.

Craft is the visible, tangible proof of American virtues, values, hardships and celebrations, a history lesson of American culture hiding in plain sight in museums, craft books, old photos and attics. It is the new designs of blended cultures communicating our identity and our legacy.

Because craft includes an almost infinite variety of objects, skills and practices, we have limited

our topic to modern crafts achievable by anyone, from novice to skilled crafts person. In this unit we will examine methods for appreciating five craft projects – painting on glass jars, leather craft, rag crafts, scrapbooking and crafting with beads.

For the scrapbooking section, you will need to bring in one photo from your collection.

Bench in black walnut, by

President Jimmy Carter

Woven Cherokee baskets, mid-1970s


To begin the topic of crafting in America, watch the brief video on the right side of the page at this website

http://www.craftinamerica.org/

A. According to the speaker, tradition is continually evolving, but still relies on key features:

place___, m___________, t_____________, e___________, and s____________.

Below the video screen on the lower right, find the heading, ARTISTS. Click on MEET THE ARTISTS. Click on ARTISTS: WOOD.

Find George and Mira Nakashima. Click on their names. Play the brief video on the right of the page. What is their crafted item?____________________

How did Mira mark the item to commemorate her family’s crest?__________________________ What else would you like to explore in this website?

Every crafted item has a focal point, the primary point of attention that attracts the eye. The

focal points of these items are noted below:

Prominence

Raised initials on a belt surround leather purses, drawing the eye. The contrasting dark belt against the neutral leather of the purse add interest.

Color

The red rose says, “Notice me!” against a shiny silver field of elegance.

Shape

The eye is drawn to the center of the “daisy” in this bronze sculpture because of the way the petals seem to point to the center.

As you study this unit, ask yourself: How does the artist express artistry in this craft?

How was color used in the design of the item? What is the focal point of the item?

Does the item have useful practicality as well as decorative design?

http://www.craftinamerica.org/


Hand Painted Gift Jars

What if the container were the best part of the gift? These decorated jars, originally intended to

hold preserved foods, can be transformed into art objects as enjoyable as their contents. Not only is the gift inside an example of your creativity, the glass jar container reflects your unique, personal artistic expression as well.

To begin any jar project, select your jar from a variety of styles. Mason-style glass canning jars

are available in half-pint, pint, quart and half gallon sizes with standard or wide mouth (top) openings. You may also find jars made from plastic, decorative jars, recycled and antique jars.

A variety of jars and lids

B. What things should you consider before making a jar and lid purchase?__________________

_____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Hand painted and decorated jars clockwise from top left: painted daisy ribbon jar with chocolate chip cookie ingredients, “stained glass” look with liquid lead and glass painted candle holder, jar with handmade lable, glass and wire-topped instant coffee container with polymer clay lid, stencilled jar with cake mix ingredients.

Select the jar with a lid that suits your project. Typical canning jar lids have two metal parts, and some older

varieties have glass and metal. Glass tops with bail wire clamps make attractive coverings. Cork and wood are

materials that make unique, stylized lids. If you are making a candle or lamp, look in local craft stores for

specially made lids that fit your jar. Always begin with a clean jar. Glass jars can be

sterilized in the dish washer or by soaking in hot, soapy water. Recycled jars can be soaked to remove old

labels. If you are planning to put food items in the jar, be sure the jar you select has no rust, chips or cracks.


Using a brush to apply high-gloss paint on glass jar is easier if the outline of the object is sketched

first with a fine-tipped paint pen. To make the object easier to see, first stuff the jar with a paper towel. (See photo on left.)

Dimensional fabric paint squeezes directly from the bottle to the surface, is easy to hold, and makes a

raised line for a special effect. (See photo on right.)

How to Paint on a Jar

Several varieties of paints are suitable for use on glass jars. Some offer transparent or opaque coverage and come in a wide range of colors. Check the label of the paint to make sure it is

washable. Also, water-based paints make clean-up much easier. Acrylic high gloss paints are durable, opaque and come in convenient squeeze bottles. While

they are wet they clean up with water. Once dried, they are permanent and the jar can be hand washed without losing the design. These types of paints can also be baked in an oven to make

them more durable and washable. Air-dry enamel paints and paint pens in a variety of tip sizes are also used on glass. They dry to

a high-gloss, waterproof finish. Choose a brand that is water-based acrylic and non-toxic. Special brush-on paints for plastic that dry to a durable, waterproof finish are also available.

Fig. 1 Using a brush to apply paint

Using fabric paint makes a raised line

Decorated jars

These painted jars have been finished with tied

ribbons and decorative buttons.

C. Why should you stuff the jar you are painting

with a paper towel?

________________________________________

________________________________________

Is this craft useful, decorative or both? Why?

________________________________________

________________________________________

Fig. 2

Using fabric paint makes a raised line

Fig. 1

Using a brush to apply paint


Decorative Food Containers

These jars need only lid decorations to make delightful gifts from your kitchen. The colorful

ingredients are layered in the glass jar and a label of instructions is tied on. For the most eye

appeal, layer the ingredients in dark-light-dark layers so that the colors create a dramatic stripe.

You may layer the ingredients for cakes, cookies, blended teas and coffees or even soups.

Use construction or heavy paper to write instructions, fold and decorate:

Trail Bean Soup Mix with decorated

lid and instruction card

To make the lid, you will need:

a quart size two-part metal lid

1 “fat quarter” of bandanna-print fabric or 1

bandanna scarf, cut into a 7” circle

½ - 1 yard thin gold rope

1 button for top decoration

Trail Bean Soup Mix

Layer in a quart-size jar:

½ cup pearl barley

½ cup red beans

½ cup baby lima beans

½ cup split peas

½ cup pinto beans

½ cup black-eyed peas

½ cup yellow split peas

½ cup navy beans

½ cup green or brown lentils

Directions:

Place the circle of fabric over the lid after

the jar has been filled. Secure by wrapping

the gold rope several times around the lid,

fixing the instructions to the rope. Glue a

button to the top center.

1 jar Trail Bean Soup Mix

2 quarts water

1 ham hock

1-1/4 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 can diced tomatoes

1 large onion, chopped

1 garlic glove, minced

Place bean soup mix in a bowl. Add

2 quarts water and soak overnight.

Drain. Bring 2 quarts water to boil in

a soup pot. Add ham hock and

simmer 20 minutes. Remove ham

hock. Add drained, soaked bean

soup mix and remaining ingredients.

Bring to boil, reduce heat, and

simmer 1 hr. hour.


Working Leather

Our Stone Age ancestors probably made garments and

tools of animal hides and skins at least 25,000 years ago.

A process for tanning (preserving) leather was developed

by North American Indians, using vegetables or wood.

Eskimos relied on oil tanning because of the availability of

fish oils. Today we enjoy a long list of personal items,

clothing and tools made sturdy, long-lasting and luxurious

due to the leather tanning processes handed down

through centuries.

Leather is sold in sizes and thicknesses varying by project.

Belts, briefcases, journal books and bottom soles of

sandals are usually made of thick leather. Handbags and

wallets are made from lighter weight split cowhide.

Upholstery may be made from suede (lambskin), and most

garment leather is buckskin, suede or lightweight pigskin.

Leather workers use a diagram like the one at left to

identify parts of the hide. Hide sections may be purchased

for small projects by weight. Many craft stores sell small

bits of leather scrap.

D. What are some other names for leather?___________

______________________________________________

Tools

When working with leather, you’ll need an organized space with adequate storage for materials,

supplies, and tools. The work surface should be clean and free of all dirt and oil. Make sure that

your space is well-ventilated as some of the glues and other substances may be toxic.

Basic tools that are necessary for any project include cutting, punching, and finishing tools.

Tooled leather journal

Chisels, punches, rotary

punch, awl, mallet with

perforated leather piece

Leather shears, craft knife,

rulers and rotary cutters


This belt features holes cut with a rotary punch, finished with grommets that are applied with a

special tool.

Grommets are applied with a special tool to create holes in leather like those in this belt.

Machine stitched suede appliqué with

cut-out design, painted.

The design on this leather wallet was scored using a swivel knife, painted with leather stain, then

stitched.

Cutting design with a swivel knife Whipstitch using leather needle and lacings

Sewing machine appliqué techniques can be used on suede. Be

sure to consult your sewing machine manual for special

instructions. Craft stores sell special leather needles for most

sewing machines.

Check this website for more leather sewing instructions using a

standard sewing machine:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2038402_sew-leather-standard-

sewing-machine.html

Cut, stained and stitched

leather wallet

E. To work leather, you

may use which of the

following techniques?

stitch

score

appliqué

punch

stain


Rag Crafts

Finding a creative, decorative use for old

fabric rags, remnants, bedding or

clothing is both economical and fun, and

encourages recycling. The projects that

follow are charming in the use of brightly

colored or themed fabrics. They offer

nostalgic reminders of how the fabrics

spent their earlier days, and are

appealing to those with limited sewing

and crafting skills.

Collage Cards

Using a piece of heavy paper or card stock, make a large collage using fabric scraps, ribbons,

trims and other embellishments. Cut it into squares or rectangles, mount the cut rectangles

onto blank cards, and you have created a handmade one-of-a-kind set of beautiful greetings to

give.

Materials

Blank cards of medium to heavy weight, matching

envelopes

11” X 17” sheet of card stock; poster board is also

suitable, sold in larger sizes

dry glue stick or latex adhesive

fabric scraps, ribbons, trims and other fanciful items

found in craft stores (buttons, decorative paper cutouts, etc.)

gold glitter glue or gold acrylic paint

Directions

1. Measure your blank cards and decide on the size and placement of your finished cut

collage.

Blank cards

Size and placement of finished collage

Fabric collage on folded card

Fabric remnants invite many creative projects


Directions, continued

2. To make the collage, completely cover the large sheet of card stock by gluing on an

assortment of fabrics, trims and other decorations. Where edges overlap, use additional

glue. Choose your fabrics with a color scheme suitable for the cards you will be making.

Holiday motifs of reds and greens (December), oranges and blacks (fall, October), or light

spring florals (April, May) blend well and suggest a theme for your card greetings.

3. When the sheet of card stock is completely covered in fabric scraps, let the glue dry for a

few hours, then turn it over. Divide the back into equal sections with a pencil and ruler,

following the dimensions you measured in step 1 (Fig. 1).

4. Cut out the individual collages carefully, following the

lines. Use glitter or gold acrylic paint to liven up your

design.

5. Cut out the individual collages carefully, following the

lines. Use glitter glue or gold acrylic paint to liven up the

front of your design.

6. Glue the individual collages to the readymade cards,

add your greeting and admire your work.

Fabrics in crazy colors and designs for all-season

cards are glued onto a sheet of card stock.

Cutting lines are indicated on

back of fabric-covered card stock.

A collection of holiday cards in fabric collage on

card stock

Fig. 1


Make a Braided Rag Rug

Rag rugs were popular in early American homes because of their practicality and creative use of

old clothing and other textiles. These floor coverings had a distinctly regional make up. Where

woolen mills were prevalent in the north east, many New England homes had rugs made from

woolen scraps. On the prairie farther west, rugs were typically made from recycled worn clothing

of cotton or any available fabric. As railroads expanded west, so did textiles, and rag rugs

became a blend of many fabrics. Today, rag rugs are called by many different names – plaited

(braided), crocheted, wrapped rug or woven – and the word “rags” has been upgraded to

“scraps” or “remnants.” The result is the same, a beautiful hand-crafted article of practicality

that can become a warm focal point of the room where it is displayed.

Materials

long fabric strips; select fabrics by choosing colors that

will weave together into a color scheme to fit the room

where the rug will be placed

safety pins, upholstery needles and heavy duty or carpet

thread

Method

1. To make long fabric strips for braiding, cut or tear fabric into

2” strips (Fig. 1). Sew the strips together end to end so

that you have a nice long strip of at least 3’ to work with

when you begin making the rug. Iron the strips in half

lengthwise. Make a basket full of these strips in all the

fabrics you plan to use in your rug.

Colonial style braided rag rug

Reds, greens and blue fabrics with

tans in braided pattern

Cut fabric strips

Fig. 1


2. Place three strips in a T-bar, as shown (Fig. 2). Pin and

stitch together at the intersection of the three fabrics.

3. Using a large safety pin, attach the joined trips to a chair

back or a hook for stability.

4. Braid by taking the right strip over the middle length,

then bringing the left strip over the new middle length,

and continue (Fig. 3). Keep a firm and even tension,

making sure the fabric strips lie so the open side of the

fold is always on the right. This raw edge will be hidden

to the inside of the rug when the braid is coiled. Pin the

end of the braid to secure it temporarily.

5. Working on a flat surface, insert a strong, knotted thread into one end of the braid. Run the

thread through the bottom loop of the next braid, stitching it back to the starting point and

pulling tight (Fig. 4). Catch the next few lower loops, bringing each stitch back to the center

to create a firm coil.

6. Continue adding strips and coiling until the rug

is the desired size. To join new braids, simply

sew on three new fabric strips and braid before

stitching onto the coil.

7. To finish the rug, trim the three strips into a

taper. Braid the tapered end, fold under and

secure with stitching.

F. What materials can you use to make a braided

rag rug?_________________________________

________________________________________

Coiled, stitched braids

form the center of the rug

3 fabric strips, braided

Colors in this rug blend warm reds and yellows

with cool purple for a lively, warm result

T-bar with 3 fabric strips, stitched

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4


The Art of Scrapbooking

One of the most creative ways to keep and display

photos, poems, journal writings, drawings and

mementos is in an album made with your own

handiwork. Albums in the mid 1800s began

appearing with brightly colored, die-cut papers and

scraps of advertising clippings, greeting cards, ticket

stubs and stamping, leading to the term scrapbook.

Homemakers clipped labels from consumer products

while college students documented their school

years.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, (published author Mark

Twain), was an enthusiastic scrapbook maker, reserving

Sundays to pursue his hobby. In 1872 he began

marketing self-pasting scrapbooks with water-activated

adhesive, a process that made scrapbooking easier and

neater than pasting methods of the past.

As photography gained popularity the photograph became an essential part of the American

culture. The Kodak camera revolutionized scrapbook trends, and the amateur photo became the

central item of interest. The rise of interest in genealogy helped scrapbooking gain even more

popularity as a place to compile information on family roots and photos.

In 1980 a company called Creative Memories brought scrapbooking to the masses by offering

home parties where neighbors and friends could work on projects, gaining ideas and sharing

materials. The company has a website full of opportunities, including a project center where

hobbyists can enjoy tips from others. Visit Creative Memories at:

http://www.creativememories.com.

In the 21st Century, scrapbook albums have begun looking more professional with the use of

digital tools. Computers that hold digital photos, clip art, fancy fonts and photo enhancing

software add to the professional look of scrapbooks. Try this website for information on digital

scrapbooking:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, aka Mark Twain

Decorated scrapbook album cover

http://www.creativememories.com/

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/


Make A Plan

Before you invest any money in materials, make a plan for what you want the finished album to

look like. Remember that the best scrapbook ideas are the ones that you have the most photos

to support, so take inventory, and try these ideas to get you started:

my family

school years

Angela’s 6th birthday

my first visit in the U.S.

Bob’s Military Service

summer memories

Our wedding

the family reunion

graduation collage

my favorite sports team

walking with my dogs

remembering Aunt Mary

Choose a photo from your collection at home, or use a magazine photo for the next

parts of this unit. You will not need to purchase a scrapbook.

Select Materials

A selection of scrapbooks

photos, grouped by subject in chronological order

scissors, craft knife, straight trimmer

punches and plastic templates for decorative shapes

adhesive tapes, glue sticks, sprays, double-sided foam

stickies

decorative, colored papers, stickers, paper charms

letter templates, lined paper and fine-tipped pens for

journal entries

Crop the Photos

Cropping, or cutting, is a simple skill to master. Cropping refers to eliminating unnecessary

background images, in order to emphasize the subject of the photo. Cropping produces a more

interesting image.

You will need a scrapbook or notebook, ring binder or

page-protected post-bound album. If you want to invest a

bit of money in materials that will last the longest, select

albums with acid-free archival quality paper that will not

deteriorate over time.

http://www.pulpproducts.com/cgi-local/browse.cgi?p=1&show=all

http://www.pulpproducts.com/cgi-local/browse.cgi?p=1&show=all


Choose A Layout

A good rule to follow in planning your layout is, “Less is more,” meaning that an uncluttered,

neatly designed page gives readers more enjoyment than a very busy one. Here are three page

layout options to consider.

Three layouts with space for title, photos, decorations and journal notes

Design the Page

You may want to select a color scheme based on the subject. For example, school memory

albums, holidays and special events often have color schemes associated with them. Sometimes

less color is better, depending on the photos you have.

Use the photograph selected from your collection or from a magazine. Imagine using the photo

as the main focal point of the scrapbook page. What colors will you choose for the design of your

page?___________________________________________________________________

Original photo; problem:

too much background

dwarfs the subject.

Cropped photo eliminates

most of the background,

emphasizing the subject.

Christmas color scheme of bright,

seasonal contrasts

Muted color scheme of earth tones

emphasizes photos

Photo is marked with crop

lines (shown in green)

centering on subject.


Add Journaling

Photo pages should be labeled with names, titles, comments or dates, depending on your

preference. An interesting story about the photo is a good memory jogger as time goes by.

If you are working with your own photo, write the names, title of the photo and approximate date

it was taken. Write a few sentences about what was happening at the time the photo was taken.

If you have selected a magazine picture, invent the names, title, dates and story about it.

(your photo)

Names______________________________

Title of photo_________________________

Date________________________________

Comments____________________________

____________________________________

____________________________________

Select hand lettering stencils, or rub-on letters for bold titles. You may want to try your hand at

calligraphy using specially designed pens and inks. Digital journaling offers a wide variety of

fonts in a rainbow of colors and sizes. Here are some favorite journal examples:

Hand-lettered calligraphy Rub-on lettering Digital lettering (paragraphs)


Special Enhancements

Rubber stamps come in a wide variety of sizes, styles

and shapes. Some have foam backing, are sold in

groups, and can be cut into individual stamps (Fig. 1).

The balloon stamp (A) was applied to a scrapbook page with black ink,

then colored with an ink pen (B). A photo was inserted into the balloons

by slitting the paper with a craft knife for a custom look (C).

A. B. C.

Repeated pattern stamps

Whether you are an artist or an artistically challenged

scrapbook novice, rubber stamps can enhance the

character and interest of your scrapbook page.

Rubber stamps take the worry out of creating interest

to your display, or to adding a professional touch with

a background image.

They can be applied to the page directly in color by

stamping into colored inks, or colored over using any

paints, pencils or inks you have on hand. With the

array of rubber stamps available at craft stores, you

can find a stamp to complement any layout. You can

even create your own rubber stamp from any

drawing, some craft foam or thin rubber, and a wood

block.

R S U T B A B M E P R S

This interesting page uses a photo mounted

over a white background, stamped with repeat

patterns of trees and snowflakes that have

been cut from colored papers and applied with

glue.

You can add phrases using rubber-stamped

thought bubbles or speech balloon images.

Add extra interest with collages that include

ticket stubs, maps, brochure fragments, dried

flowers or scraps of fabric.

Fig. 1


Working with Wire

A Valentine’s Day page using many techniques

Wire is sold in many shapes and colors, in single

bendable strands that can be fashioned into unlimited

shapes. Copper-colored epoxy-coated wire, ranging in

gauges as small as 24 and as large as 16, is available at

most craft stores. Add found objects and dress up

embellishments with a sparkle of sophisticated color.

Wire spells out a message.

Combine several elements to create a

unique embellished page. The artist used

all these techniques to create the page at

left:

matted and cropped photo

red and white card stock

cut outs for hearts and circles

digital journaling

rubber stamped alphabet

ribbon

wire

elastic-wrapped package labels


It’s your turn! Design a scrapbook page using the following steps explained in this unit:

1. Select and crop a photo to use as your focal point.

2. Decide on a layout.

3. Design the color scheme.

4. Add journaling notes.

5. Add special enhancements.


Beads

Some crafty artists define beads as “any item with a hole in it,

worn for purely decorative purposes.” Even buttons can count

as beads when they are sewn on for visual effect. Sequins,

metal washers and lock-nuts fit the category as well.

Natural materials found abundantly all over the continent of

North America were the traditional bead making materials of the

Native American tribes. The Pueblo and Navajo peoples made

jewelry with turquoise and silvers, producing a distinctive

regional style. Modern turquoise jewelry today commands a

high price, and retains the traditional styling.

Mussel shell beads, called wampum, were used by Native

Americans, particularly the Iroquois, as a means of

communication, with information based on the order and

color of arrangements. Messengers would deliver

wampum from one tribe to another. White beads typically

carried benign messages of peace and friendship, while

purple signified hostile intentions such as a declaration of

war.

Beads and woven floss combine to

form background for necklace

featuring clay figure by Tory

Hughes, Mendocino, California

This Navajo woman wears a silver and

turquoise necklace fashioned in traditional

Native American style.

Purple and white mussel shells, ground and

strung on cord to form wampum

G. What are beads?_____________________

_____________________________________


Beads come in unlimited designs, shapes, sizes and styles.

Some common substances that beads are made of include

machine and handmade glass beads. These shiny beads may be

called seeds, tubes, bugles, plain rounds, cat’s eyes, crystals or

cut pearls.

Semiprecious stones, known as gemstones, include jasper, agate, amethyst, freshwater and

cultured pearls, onyx, amber, garnet, lapis, jade, quartz, aquamarine and turquoise.

Semiprecious stones are affordable, unlike precious stones such as emeralds, rubies and

diamonds.

Beads may be made of precious metals, gold, silver and platinum. Base metals such as brass,

copper, or aluminum, and other alloys (mixtures) such as pewter are also sold as metals.

Wooden beads are popular in fashion jewelry, and may be found in examples from delicate, finely

decorated beads to larger bulky styles. Other natural materials such as bones, seeds and nuts,

rolled paper and felt can make interesting bead selections.

Wooden beads are stained, oiled or painted , then strung on cord to make colorful bracelets, by Brockman Woodworks.

H. What materials can be used as beads?____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Tiny seed beads and larger bugles were

applied to muslin, then stitched to the

back of this denim shirt.

A decorative glass bead forms the

focal point of this do-it-yourself

keychain. Beads are strung on a

leather cord and tied to a key ring.


Directions:

1. Follow directions on the package to make up two cups

of the Paper Mâché.

2. Cut the gift-wrapping paper into strips approximately

1 X 27 in.

3. Take one of the strips of paper and immerse it in the

paste.

4. When thoroughly soaked, wind the strip of paper tightly

on to one of the cocktail sticks to form a firm barrel

shape (Fig. 1).

5. To make a neat and undetectable finish, tear across the end of the strip of paper before

smoothing it on to the finished surface (Fig. 2).

6. Push one end of the cocktail stick into the potato, to hold the unfinished bead in a position

where it can dry without touching anything else.

How to Make Paper Mâché Beads

Beads made from paper and glue can be surprisingly

beautiful. The method described here turns a simple sheet

of gift-wrapping paper into colorful barrel-shaped beads,

strung into necklaces along with other metal or pearl beads

shown in the photo at left.

Materials

1 sheet of porous gift-wrapping paper, (no plastics or cellophane)

Paper Mâché powder

plain wooden cocktail sticks or bamboo skewers

large scissors

sandpaper, coarse and fine grains

felt-tip pen in color to match the gift-wrap

clear varnish or nail polish

fine bristle brush for applying varnish

large household tray

large potato


Directions, continued

7. After making up all the beads you want, put your potato, which looks a little like a

porcupine, in a warm place for about 48 hours or until completely dry.

8. Remove the beads from the cocktail sticks by twisting them in the opposite direction to

that in which the paper was wound. This prevents any unraveling of the paper.

9. Smooth the ends of the beads by rubbing them first on the coarse and then on the fine

sandpaper (Fig. 3).

10. Disguise the sandpapered ends by coloring with a felt tip pen (Fig. 4).

11. Put the beads back onto the cocktail sticks and give them a light coating of varnish. Be

careful not to get varnish on the cocktail stick as this may make removal difficult after

drying. Support the beads in the potato as in Step 7 and allow ample drying time.

12. When the varnish is dry, remove the beads from the cocktail sticks. They are now ready

for threading.

Beads may be strung for jewelry using any type of elastic, leather, string or wire cord. The size

of the bead hole must be larger than the circumference, weight or width of the stringing material.

If the bead hole is too large to prevent wobbling, use smaller beads strung inside the larger one

for stability.


REFERENCES

Banes, Helen. Fiber & Bead Jewelry.

Boyd, Heidi. Simply Beautiful Beading.

Browning, Marie. Jazzy Jars.

Case, Barbara. A World of Beads.

Coles, Janet, and Budwig, Robert. Beads.

Geary, Theresa Flores. Ph.D. The Bead Bible.

Green, Gail. The Ultimate Rubber Stamping Technique Book.

Lauria, Jo. Craft in America.

Lee, Kari. Gorgeous Leather Crafts.

Lindsay, Alison. The Complete Practical Guide to Scrapbooking.

Mann, Elise. The Bead Directory.

Pickering Rothamel, Susan. The Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking Tools & Techniques.

Rebecca Carter, V., Genovese, S., Furgeson, L., Taylor, S. The Ultimate Scrapbooking Book.

Reeves, Sue. Country Rag Crafts

Rothamel, Susan Pickering. The Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking Tools & Techniques.

Speicher, John. Reader’s Digest Crafts & Hobbies.

Walters, Lilly. Cobblestone Cottages: Decorative Faux Painting on Glass Jars Decorative Project

Book.

http://projectcenter.creativememories.com/

http://projectcenter.creativememories.com/

Understanding America Through Art, Unit X 10...Understanding America Through Art ... Wampum – Native American form of communication using white and purple mussel shell beads ...

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