Bead Crafts

Bead work is not a native Craft of India. Though horn, ivory and wooden beads were used by tribes for necklaces and earrings etc, the bead used was limited to it. The actual bead crafts were introduced quite late in the in 19th century. It is basically a European Craftthat came to India from East Africa.

It was first adopted by the Mochi tribe, the tribe known for the leather Craftand soon women of other tribes introduced beads in their thread work for dresses, bags and decor products. Crafts people of Gujarat and Rajasthan are known for their expertise in bead crafts. These people use colorful beads to create embroidery patterns. Gift articles like wall hangings and box covers, vase decorations are done by stringing the beads in patterns. Beads are now often used embedded in lac.

Transparent and semi transparent beads, plastic and glass beads, terracotta, ivory wood and even bone or metal beads are used to enhance the aesthetic value of the craft.The beadwork of Saurashtra and Kutch are unique to the area. The stiched beads do not use a backing cloth. The craftsmen create chaklas, door hangings, belts, bags, pot covers and mojdis and a lot many other things with a traditional Indian Character using an external style.

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