How to Make American Indian Beaded Earrings

Try your hand at making American Indian beaded earrings. Very few items are more beautiful than the jewelry made by tribes. Your jewelry making skills will really come in handy as you learn to make these beautiful earrings.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Beads of varied colors
• Head pin
• French wire
• Needle-nose pliers

1. Study the teachings and art of past tribal jewelry making by starting with a simple kit. You can buy really nice kits with detailed instructions at B.J.'s Craft Supplies through the Internet. Make specific notes of the instructions that have traveled down through the ages.

2. Research American Indian jewelry styles through the Internet and in historical and craft books in bookstores. A good example is "Authentic American Indian Beadwork And How To Do It." Take notes and run copies of important information so that you can make your own.

3. Check for Indian craft making in community education classes. If you find one of these, you can participate in hands-on instructions and creations. Expect a class fee plus the price of materials.

4. Buy a head pin, beads and a French wire at a craft store when you are ready to make your earrings. Begin with a spacer bead at the first of the headpin. Creatively add multi-colored beads with spacer beads separating the colors.

5. Bend down the head pin when you thread all of the beads that you want. Add a French-wire to finish off the piece.

Tips & Warnings

• Indians know beautiful earrings complete the beauty of the face.

• You must note that actual American Indians do not make the jewelry you are selling. Otherwise, it is a federal crime to allow people to believe they are buying the real thing.