Beadwork is the art  of attaching beads  to cloth, usually with the use of a needle and thread or soft  wire. Most beadwork takes the form of jewelry or other personal adornment, but beads are also used in wall hangings and sculpture.

Beadwork techniques are  divided into loom and off-loom weaving, stringing, bead embroidery, bead crochet, and bead knitting.

Many cultures have employed beads for personal adornment. Archaeological records show that people made  beads as long as 5,000 years ago. Beads in ancient times  have also been used for religious purposes, as good luck talismans, and as curative agents.

Modern beading

Modern beadwork is often used as a  hobby to create jewelry, purses, coasters, and dozens of other crafts. Beads can differ from each other in many different designs, sizes, colors, and materials, allowing much variation among bead artisans and projects. Simple projects can be created in less than an hour by novice beaders, while complex beadwork may take weeks of meticulous work with specialized tools and equipment.