Bead work is the art of using beads to create beautiful objects or decorate items. Beads are small decorative objects made from materials like glass, plastic, wood, seeds, shells, clay, or metal. They come in different colours, shapes, and sizes.

Bead work involves stringing, sewing, or gluing beads together to form necklaces, bracelets, earrings, hats, belts, bags, shoes, dresses, caps, wall decorations, and even artworks.

1. Glass Beads – Transparent or coloured beads made from glass.


2. Plastic Beads – Lightweight and cheap beads made from plastic.


3. Wooden Beads – Made from carved or polished wood.


4. Metal Beads – Made from brass, copper, silver, or other metals.


5. Clay Beads – Hand-shaped and baked from clay.


6. Seed Beads – Tiny beads made from seeds or synthetic materials.

To do bead work successfully, the following materials and tools are commonly used:

• Beads – The main decorative pieces.


• Nylon Thread or Fishing Line – Used for stringing beads.


• Needle – To sew beads onto fabric or thread.


• Scissors – For cutting thread or material.


• Glue – Sometimes used to attach beads to surfaces.


• Wire – For shaping or creating stronger bead designs.


• Clasps and Hooks – Used to fasten jewelry like necklaces or bracelets.

• Stringing – Passing beads through thread or wire to form jewelry.


• Sewing – Stitching beads onto fabric or surfaces.


• Weaving – Arranging and linking beads together in patterns.


• Wrapping – Using wire to wrap beads in a decorative style.


• Gluing – Fixing beads to surfaces using strong adhesives.

• Adornment – Beads are used to beautify people through necklaces, bangles, earrings, etc.


• Fashion – Beads decorate clothes, shoes, bags, and other fashion items.


• Decoration – Beads are used for decorating homes, walls, and artworks.


• Cultural Identity – Beads show the culture and tradition of different ethnic groups.


• Ceremonial Use – In traditional marriages, festivals, and chieftaincy titles.


• Religious Use – Beads are used by priests or worshippers in some religions.

• It promotes creativity and skills among youths.


• It helps preserve traditional art and culture.


• It can be a source of income for individuals and families.


• It adds beauty and value to fashion and craft items.


• It is used to express cultural heritage and identity .

People who are skilled in bead work can earn a living through:

• Bead Jewelry Making.


• Bead Fashion Designing.


• Bead Craft for Home Décor.


• Bead Sellers and Suppliers.


• Teaching Bead Work.

• Handle sharp tools like needles and scissors carefully.


• Store small beads properly to avoid swallowing by children.


• Work in a clean, well-lit area.


• Dispose of broken beads and wires safely.

Producing a design using beads means creating decorative items or artworks by arranging beads in patterns or forms. These designs can be made on fabric, paper, cardboards, calabash, clothes, shoes, or as independent jewelry like bracelets and necklaces.

The bead designs can be simple (like a straight line pattern) or complex (like a flower or animal shape), depending on the creativity and skill of the person.

1. Choose a Design : Select what you want to make, e.g., necklace, bracelet, cap, flower shape, or pattern on fabric.


2. Gather Your Materials : Get beads, thread, glue, needle, scissors, wire, or cardboard depending on what you are creating.


3. Sketch the Pattern (if needed): On paper or fabric, lightly draw the shape or pattern to guide your work.


4. Arrange the Beads: Start placing the beads along your sketch or design using a needle, thread, glue, or wire.


5. Fix the Beads in Place: Use glue or stitching to hold the beads firmly.


6. Finish the Edges: Tie or seal the ends properly, especially for jewelry.


7. Check and Improve: Look at the final work and adjust any beads that are not well fixed.

• Jewelry: necklace, bracelet, earring.


• Fashion: bead-decorated shirt, shoe, cap.


• Art Design: animal or flower picture using beads on cardboard.


• Cultural Items: traditional headgear or waistband decorated with beads.

• Use matching colours for beauty.


• Work in a clean and flat space.


• Handle small beads and sharp tools with care.


• Be patient and careful so your design comes out neat.

Students will learn how to produce a basic bead design by creating a simple bracelet using plastic or glass beads and thread.

• Beads (plastic or glass, assorted colours).


• Nylon thread or fishing line (about 30cm).


• Scissors.


• Clasps (optional).


• Small bowl or container to hold beads.

1. Select Your Beads: Choose beads in the colour and shape you like.


2. Measure and Cut the Thread: Cut about 30 cm of nylon thread. Tie a knot at one end to stop beads from falling.


3. Start Stringing: Pass the thread through the bead hole one after the other, using a pattern (e.g., red-blue-red-blue).


4. Check Length: Wrap around your wrist to check if the length fits.


5. Tie the Ends: When done, tie both ends of the thread tightly or fix a clasp.


6. Trim Excess: Cut off extra thread with scissors.


7. Display: Show your bracelet to your classmates and teacher.

Objective: To make a colourful flower design with beads.

Materials:

• Cardboard (A5 or A4 size).


• Pencil and eraser.


• Beads (different colours).


• Strong glue (like UHU).


• Toothpick (to spread glue).


• Ruler (optional).

1. Draw a flower shape on the cardboard with pencil.


2. Use the toothpick to rub glue along the lines.


3. Pick different beads and place them on the glue.


4. Use bright colours for the petals and green for the leaves.


5. Let the work dry properly.


6. Show your artwork to your classmates or hang it in the class.