Beads have been created and used for thousands of years. The first beads were made from bone, rock, shell, flowers and leaves. Once glass was used on a regular basis, glass beads were made. Egyptians manufactured beads from a number of products and used them for decorating many items in addition to using them for jewelry. Glass bead manufacturing started in Egypt in the Seventh and Eighth Dynasties.http://blog.fjewelrystore.com/2007/04/27/the-history-of-beads/ Beads were used throughout history in the trading industry. One example of this is in North American history. Although Native Americans were able to manufacture bead from various materials, it was a labor-intensive work. With the coming of the Europeans, beads were available in a large variety of colors. Beads soon became a standard trading commodity.http://www.sicc.sk.ca/saskindian/a97jun20.htm

Beads continue to be used today to decorate items in the home, decorate clothing and for jewelry. Beads are found in a vast array of colors and materials at most local craft and retail stores. Some magazines and websites are devoted to helping people learn how to use beads for decorating purposes.http://www.beadingdaily.com/ Classes are held in local communities and there are even bead clubs. One type of bead rather new to the history of beads is the plastic bead. It is inexpensive for the buyer and can range from simple to complex in design. This type of bead is often seen in children’s jewelry.http://www.beadsbasic.com/Types_of_Beads_Used_in_Beading.html In general, many kinds of beads today are readily available for purchase and use. However, some beads such as pearls and semi-precious stones can be more expensive.

• Pearls

• Glass

• Crystal

• Semi-precious stones

• Seed

• Plastic

• Metal

• Wood

• Stone

• Bone