Combining detailed step-by-step photographs and illustrations, this books covers beadwork styles found among Native Americans on the western plains, including loom work, applique, and more.

"I can think of no recent book about traditional crafts which has delighted me more than Joel Monture's Complete Guide to Traditional Native American Beadwork. All too often, books of this nature are either as boring as a repair manual, or obscure and inaccurate. Monture's triumph is that his book is not only the best and most complete book about virtually every aspect of Native American beadwork tools, materials, styles and methods, it is also clear, interesting reading. Written from the point of view of a Native master craftsman who is also a gifted teacher, and accompanied by striking full-color photos, it can serve as either a beginning point or a lifelong reference tool. I am confident that Monture's book will bring him wide praise, not only from beadworkers, but also from any person who delights in knowing more about the meaning and the history of an indigenous artform which is finally attracting the sort of critical attention and informed appreciation it deserves." --Joseph Bruchac, author of Keepers of the Earth * Includes all the basic stitches and designs * Contains a special section on natural tanning methods * Extensive glossary * Full-color photos of authentic Native American beadwork

A handicraft guide to American Indian beadwork for those seeking the fundamentals of construction and ideas of design—fully illustrated throughout. American Indian Beadwork includes: -Directions for beading stitches -Directions for making and stringing a loom -Fifty-four black-and-white photographs of actual Indian beadwork -Thirteen full-color pages of 132 authentic Indian patterns for your own beadwork

The 19 highlighted jewellery and accessory projects include a Huichol Lace Sun Catcher and a Ladder Chain Bracelet (perfect for beginners) along with advanced-level projects like the Waterbird Pendant and Sun Rosette Medallion.

Beadwork has been steadily gaining popularity among crafters, and no area of the genre garners more interest than the intricate designs of the Apache, Comanche, and Lakota peoples of the American Southwest, who use their designs to relate legends and pass down tribal lore. Here are 15 authentic projects using such traditional stitches as the flat and circular peyote stitches, the Comanche weave, free-form feathering, and more. Each project is accompanied by a rich explanation of how the colors, shapes, and combinations of materials interact to tell a story. Abundant color photographs and illustrations guide the reader through this unique art form.

Keywords include: bandolier, bannock, beading bags, Blackfoot, blanket strips, breaking beads, breech cloth, Chippewa-Cree, contemporary stitch, Crow beads, Earth Maker, fur trade, half leggings, hexigon beads, knife sheath, looms, quillwork, saddle bags, tobacco bags.