The History of Beading
The art of stringing beads together has been known to mankind since ancient times and has been practiced for many reasons including symbolizing religious beliefs. In the ancient world tribes would use the bones of animals and string them onto fibers and would wear them believing that they would protect the wearer from bad spirits.
As human civilization advanced beading progressed as a result of man learning how to pierce objects through drilling holes. Necklaces were created out of many objects such as seed pods, seashells and nut shells as well as many other objects. Bead development would eventually progress with the coloring of beads. Clay beads would often be coated in enamel
The Egyptians were masters of glass making and they would revolutionize bead making as glass beads were far more beautiful and could be used to make the most wonderful necklaces. They would use glass that would come in many different colors and they would combine these colored glass beads with gemstones, both precious and semi-precious. Gold and silver would also be added.
Beads would become in great demand and would become a valuable trading commodity and were traded and exported all around the world, even as far back as ancient times. Beading would be embraced by many different cultures including the Babylonians, Chinese and also in ancient India.
The Romans also had a great influence on the development of beading and they would trade beads all over the different parts of the Roman Empire. This influence would spread to to the Vikings and the Celts who would develop wonderful amulets, necklaces and bracelets. Beading would also be embraced by the Native American Indians whose works are still used today in the latest fashions such as in turquoise colored watch bands, necklaces and belts.
Beading was and still is an integral part of Native American culture. Many Indian tribes in the Americas would train their womenfolk at becoming adept in the beading arts. A technique called bead quilling was considered sacred. The workmanship and art of bead quilling was considered sacred and not the finished beaded items themselves. This is unlike Western society where it is normal to value finished products more than the workmanship that was required to produce them.
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March 15, 2009
Starting To Crochet
Crocheting is an activity that has been around for many years. Many women learn how to crochet from their mothers or grandmothers and it is one of the most relaxing activities of which you can take part, while still being extremely creative. Once you learn, the options for creativity are endless. You can make clothing, scarves, mittens, doilies, afghans, hats and even holiday ornaments. With a few simple supplies and how to’s, you will be well on your way to learning this fun and imaginative skill.
Before you begin to crochet, you’ll need supplies. The supplies needed are simple and relatively inexpensive. Look up yarns in the yellow pages and you will find chain stores and independent stores that sell the materials. First you’ll need to get crochet hooks. When starting out it is best to start with an “H” or “I” hook. These are medium sized and will keep your stitches simple. As for yarn, you will want to stick to one theme; simple! Purchase cotton yarn and wool yarn that is free of any fringe or fuzz. The fancier yarns are for the advanced crafters.
The correct supplies will only be your first step in learning how to crochet, yet there is more that one way to learn. One popular way is to find a yarn shop that offers classes. At many locations the class will be free; you just have to buy your yarn supplies at their store. This is a great compromise when you consider that professionals will charge to train you. If they do cost money, then the fee is usually minimal. You can also go to the bookstore and pick up some basic teaching books. Find a book that leads you through step-by-step. In no time you’ll learn the knots and chains.
Once you become more advanced, you’ll certainly become bored with plain yarns. This will be the perfect time for you to move on to something a little flashier that comes from a specialty yarn shop. These will be different materials, such as silk that forms a fringe. The sky is the limit once you manage to crochet with these types of yarn. You can also experiment with many different crochet patterns found in many craft stores. Creativity is key and once you learn the skills you will be limited only by your own imagination!
March 4, 2009
Easy Knitting Patterns Tips
Good yarn, unique knitting patterns, exquisite items, all these are generally meant to express one’s personality when knitting is not just a casual pastime but a hobby. When you want to try your hand at something new, lots of knitting patterns are available online, in books and magazines. If you are taking the first knitting lessons, then, basic patterns work well to develop skills. Any informative material that comes with photos and detailed instructions can prove resourceful in terms of knitting patterns and design styles. Think about the following elements whenever you try to push your knitting skill a bit further.
Yarn combinations are very important for applications in new knitting patterns; various types of yarn have to be combined and checked to see how well they work together. The fact that some retailers indicate the right yarn match for specific yarn pattens is of incredible use. If you still do not find the answer with such web pages or craft stores, then, look through magazines and books for other knitting patterns to try. Once the pattern is clear, you may face the challenge of personal creativity. How to make a garment more beautiful?
There are virtually limitless options to combine elements and knitting patterns to achieve original fabric. Sometimes just a few cute flower buttons or a piece of ribbon used for trimming completely influence the appearance of the garment and contribute to enhancing the initial aesthetic effect resulting from the design. Given knitting patterns are not rules and do not have to be followed as such, an experienced knitter has all the freedom to improvise and add elements of personal inspiration. Some modifications may not result as nicely as you’ve intended, but it is good to identify the mismatch or the error and either correct it or avoid making it the next time.
Knitting patterns can be actually called maps that have to be analyzed and decoded. What you learn from the pattern covers everything from needles and design to size and stitches. This code will seem all very confusing for someone with little knitting experience particularly when he/she isn’t familiar the abbreviations used in most knitting patterns. Yet, with some persistence to go through the instructions and determination to understand the basics of knitting, progress will not take long to appear and you will find more and more rewarding knitting patterns to enjoy.
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March 2, 2009
knitting Instructions Tips
Although not to the same extent, both hobbyist knitters and beginners rely on knitting instructions from time to time. If for beginners it is obvious why, we should actually clarify how things stand for more experienced knitters. Knitting remains an occupation that keeps reinventing itself so as to remain actual, and it would be undoubtedly dull to keep using the same knitting patterns over and over again. Innovative ideas come from many sources such as magazines and web sites that offer solutions to create trendy apparel items and home deco patterns, but most projects of the kind depend on the knitting instructions so that the choice of knitting supplies, yarn, needles and stitches be adequate.
Let’s only think about how complex cable knitting patterns seem to people who have never tried them before. Yet, knitters do come across the necessity to integrate such patterns in their designs for headbands, pillow cases or scarves. Once you learn the knitting instructions for these structures, you’ll realize that they become accessible with every little effort to apply them. Enjoy the richness of photos and video files available on the Internet that give crystal clear knitting instructions about the execution of one pattern or another.
Then, various events throughout the year can really challenge the skills and imagination of knitters. Halloween and Christmas knitting instructions remain among the most looked for on the Internet if we consider how badly some people need ideas for costumes and decorations. This is probably because knitting is a relaxing and cost effective way of getting into the atmosphere of a celebration in a very pleasant and harmonious manner. As you may not always remember the knitting instructions from one year to another then you can begin the search all over again.
Magazines, books and even e-guides are other main sources of knitting instructions. Moreover, there are knitters who have turned their skill into a true profession helping others learn the secrets through special training classes or courses organized periodically. Once more the Internet is the best way to find out about the organization of such events in your neighborhood. While with some instructors classes are repeated several times to give more people the chance to learn the basics, other trainers will address levels superior to that of beginners. Self-instruction is another possibility available, which means that you are on your own for the study of all the aspects of patterns, stitches, yarns and the like.
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