New-York tribune., 1903-01-07
BEAD CHAINS AND BELTS.
Handiwork of Indian Women Growing IN
Favor

Chains and belts of Indian beadwork Of
! the seasons fa6s Beadwork is almost like her
mother tongue TO the Indian girl In all. nearly
al. the Indian tribes of North America the squaws
DO beautiful beadwork reproducing in this unyied-
ing material the bold motifs and gorgeous coorngs
which the paleface adnnires in the Navajo blanket
The Indian girl uses beads as II they were wax
Out OF this hard. iniexible material she fashions
the oldest love1iest things And the daugh-
ter Of the palefaces has seen these u1arvels and
fallen in love with them She hangs them around
her neck. ties them about her waist fastens them
on her hat And intent is she doing II that
she VIII gladly pay g 50 for chain more than
one-quarter Of inch wide and s. for belt
a New-York firm that makes q speciality of Ind
ian goods says that bead belts will be with
light summer dresses next season. while the bead
hat bands have already proved their right to live
sailor and outing hats where bit OF bright color
is desired. This beadwork is woven. the threads
being attached to q reel wooden frame TO hold
them taut. and from that point woven by hand or
with the sid Of simple hook The beads are strung
the threads before the weaving process begins at
all In fine work the threads invisible.
Bead chains are generally flexible fat and about
one-third of inch wide although chains are
that round and about the thickness of q
common lead pencil. These latter. however, are
stiff and wiry. and lack the graceful droop Of the
fat chain Among the color combinations that have
evidently appealed TO the Indian weavers excel
lent pale yellow and gold, apple green and
white. turquoise and white old rose and gold, yell
One necklace is Z piece Of beadwork ABOUT one
inch broad the two ends Of which are brought to-
Eether in front 10 form broad stolelike piece A
belt Of turquoise beads is decorated with large
maple leaves in maroon and purple alter-a ting 4
splendid design in small blocks Is worked out IN
crimson white and green, while q gorgeous creation
in pale yellow has a large pattern in diamonds de-
veIoped in turquoise Nile green and white. with
dash OF carmine-
Many women buy these exotic blooms for house
hold decora ton. not wear As artistic properCes
10 hang from chandelier. drape over one corner Of
2 picture frame illurnine dark niche they are
perfection. They are like Venetian beads, these
indian belts and chains, in that they 90 either &c
trim I'D & room person. One IS not always N
the mood for q note Of extravaganza OF this sort
PERHAPS II does not accord with ones gown or the
Occasion Then one can hang II up on the wall
Indian beadwork is exceedingly strong II i Tvolio
require violent wrench to break a chalI. lTdsle
snS light in appearance the latter may be-
The popularity Of Indian beadwork IS but one N
5F-a+ion OF the growth IN appreciation OF ano nter
est in the Indian. The decorative vaIues O. Lne
Navajo blanket the Puma basket and the PueoIo
% see have been grasped but women nave been SO"
10 see anything attractive II the garments or or!a
-ne-ts OF the Indian sQueW. NOW. however, tle
New-Yorker has found out the beauty OF lnolan nc a
Fae5uork and Manhattan and the red woman or Lhe
Rockies have one more interest n common