15% OFF ORDERS, CODE: Valentine2021
15% OFF ORDERS, CODE: Valentine2021
The Oldest Known Jewelry in the World

The Oldest Known Jewelry in the World

Whenever you wear jewelry, whether it is a necklace, a ring, or a pair of earrings, you are following in the footsteps of a tradition that is thousands of years old. Humans have been wearing jewelry since the dawn of time, and some of the oldest known pieces of jewelry can be traced back as far as 100,000 B.C.E. But what type of jewelry did ancient humans wear and why did they wear it?
The History of Handmade Jewelry: Back Then to Now

The History of Handmade Jewelry: Back Then to Now

Creating handmade jewelry has been around practically since the dawn of time, with the earliest records of handmade jewelry being made by Neanderthals in Europe. Perforated beads that were made of sea shells and small stones have been dated as far back as 115,000 years ago. They've been found in a cave called Cueva de los Aviones, which is located on the southeast coast of Spain. Shortly after, humans moved on to using items such as bones and teeth to make primitive adornments for themselves and others.
September 21, 2019 by SWCreations Jewelry
Beaded Lampwork Jewelry in the Roaring 20's

Beaded Lampwork Jewelry in the Roaring 20's

From flapper dresses to pinstriped suits, the 1920's was an era that defined fashion. No element of the roarin' 20's was quite as unique as the accessories. Beaded jewelry was all that jazz and handmade lampwork pieces were an iconic testament to the fashion scene of the time. Discover the rich, rowdy history of prohibition era gems -- and how you can incorporate lampwork beads into your own wardrobe!
June 16, 2019 by SWCreations Jewelry

The History of Beads in Beaded Jewelry

history of beads in beaded jewelryIt is amazing how far back in time that beads of all sizes, shapes, colors and materials have been a desired collectible and how they have been used not only for personal adornment and jewelry but also as “money” to use in trading for goods and services, as good luck talismans, for religious ceremonies, and in a large variety of spectacular crafts.

Beadwork is the technique that attaches beads to one another by stringing them with a needle onto thread or thin wire or by knitting, crocheting, weaving, or sewing them onto cloth.

Ancient beading is thought to have begun in Mesopotamia and was imported to Egypt where they made it into their own art form. From Narmer’s first dynasty back in 3100 B.C. and up to the present time, Faience beads have been made using the same method of a mixture of powdered clays, silica sand, soda and lime mixed with a little water that makes a paste. That is molded around a piece of straw or a small stick, fired, and it melts into glass that covers the clay, resulting in a hard bead which is covered in bluish glass.

Native American beadwork actually uses beads that are imported from Asia and Europe, and the Americas have used glass beads for about five centuries. Tribes are well-known for their beautiful artwork used in all types of uses from dance regalia to buckskin, sculptures, portraits, horse trappings and even dog blankets!

European beadwork dates back to when animal bones and shells were used as “beads”. The 16th century found the French making beaded flowers, and the still-popular-today lampwork glass was invented back in the 18th century.

Modern beadwork as a creative hobby can range from simple projects that can be created in less than an hour to complex beadwork that could take weeks of meticulous work and require the use of specialized equipment and tools.

For more details about beaded jewelry,  please visit our website or contact us.

Copyright: / 123RF Stock Photo
April 23, 2015 by Stephanie White