How to Create Native American Beads by Hand
With no access to glass or much metal, Native American beads were traditionally made from natural materials such as turquoise, coral, bone and clay. The most valuable beads, called wampum beads, were made from the thick shells of the Quahog clam. These beads were used for bartering and making ceremonial clothing.
Bone beads were used mainly for necklaces and chest pieces. The chest pieces look like a breastplate made of many horizontally strung, long bone beads called hairpipe beads. These are usually made of bird bones because they are small and hollow, but can also be made of deer and cow bones.
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Things You'll Need
- For wampum beads:
- 3 or 4 Quahog clam shells
- Thin, sturdy branch
- Dremmel tool with cutting attatchment
- String
- Cool water
- Electric drill
- #61 drill bit
- 120, 220, 500 grit sandpaper
- For hairpipe beads:
- 2 or 3 deer or cow shin bones
- Coping saw
- Round file
- Etching knife
- Leather mat
- Cutting board
- 80, 120, 150 grit sandpaper
Instructions
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Wampum Beads
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1
Cut shells into half-inch squares. Split one end of the branch so it forms a Y and place a shell square in the split. Tie the shell into place by criss-crossing string around the split.
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2
Hold the brand firmly against a hard surface with one edge of the shell facing up. Drill into the center of the edge, pushing slowly until you have drilled halfway through. Dip the shell into water to cool it, turn to the other edge and drill until the shell is drilled all the way through.
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3
Remove the shell from the branch and sand it, beginning with the 120 grit sandpaper and ending with the 500 grit. The shell should be shiny and smooth.
Hairpipe Beads
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4
Lay the cutting board on a sturdy surface with the leather mat on top. Saw the shin bones into 2 inch lengths with the coping saw.
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5
Hold a piece of bone upright on the leather mat and cut about a quarter of an inch of bone away around the center hole.
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6
File the bone until it roughly resembles a thin, round tube. Scrape away any sharp edges with the etching knife.
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7
Sand with the 80 grit sandpaper, followed by the 120, 150, and 200 until the bead is highly polished.
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8
Repeat steps 1 to 4 until all of the bone pieces have been made into beads.
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1
Tips & Warnings
-Tie the clam shell very firmly into the branch to prevent slipping. -Do not use clamps or pliers to hold the shell for drilling. They could scratch or crush the bead.
