Beadwork is the art of sewing, weaving, or threading small decorative beads into patterns and designs on clothing, jewelry, or other objects. Indigenous peoples across North America have practiced beadwork for centuries, creating intricate geometric patterns on moccasins, ceremonial garments, and pouches. Each tribe developed distinctive styles and color combinations that told stories or marked important occasions.

Before European traders brought glass beads in the 1600s, Native American artists made beads from shells, bones, stones, and porcupine quills. Glass beads opened up new possibilities with their bright colors and tiny sizes, allowing for incredibly detailed work. Some beadwork is so fine that thousands of beads smaller than grains of rice fill just a few square inches.

Today, beadwork remains an important cultural tradition and art form. Artists create everything from elaborate necklaces to beaded sculptures. The Huichol people of Mexico create stunning beadwork by pressing tiny beads into beeswax-covered surfaces, forming pictures of animals and symbols. Making quality beadwork requires extraordinary patience, steady hands, and a sharp eye for color and pattern. A single beaded bracelet might take hours to complete, while a fully beaded dress could require months of careful work.