This learning lesson is a simple stitch. Your are going to find a cab or a gem to use on your earrings and glue them onto a piece of backing material, and let them dry completely. Then you will take a string of thread about twenty-four inches long and thread that through a needle. After that you will tie a knot at the end making about three or four so it is one big knot so it will not go through any backing. With this stitch you will find where you want to start at which can be anywhere you would like. You then will take the threaded needle put it through the backing and take three beads at a time on the thread tacking them down then come through those same three beads again to secure them down and continue with the next three beads and so on. Now remember with you colors if your changing the just keep count so when you do the other side that both sides are as even looking as possible.
Sometimes depending on the size of the beads there will be a slight difference in measurements. You will continue to go around the cab or gem until done and then you will do a few knots at the end to secure that it is tight. After finishing that will have your earring post of choice ready and a piece of material, which will be cut to the size of the earring along with a cut for the post to go through the back of the earring. You then will take some glue put it all over the back of the earring, and put the post on where you choose, and put your material over the post and press together to let dry. When your glue is dry you will sew along the edging to keep the material secure.
“Wearing or presenting jewelry had many social, economic, political and religious implications for the Native Americans of the 1600’s in southern New England. Jewelry was used to show connection with a particular group. Beads validated treaties and were used to remember oral tradition, as well as for exchange and currency. There were many ritual aspects of beads and pendants used in ceremonies of dance, curing and sacrifice. Jewelry was also used in many ‘rites of passage’ which individuals passed through in their lives," said Tara Prindle.
I interviewed an elder who wants to remain anonymous. We talked about how she learned to bead as a young teenager from her mother and grandmother. The elder mentioned that her family said this would be a good skill to know something to fall back on. The elder also said she now only beads for her immediate family members, and as she does she prays for positivity, blessings and with a good heart and lots of love. The elder had shown me some of her work and it was all beautiful and you can tell there was so much time into it.