Shell beads come from different types of shells. Some of these beads are made from pieces of sea shells, land snails, and marine mollusks while others are whole shells. These beads made from shells have a rich history dating back to times in the past when they were currency.
Shell beads have also been used in the past to make jewelry for royal families and distinguished members of the society. There is evidence from archaeological excavations dating back to Paleolithic times from people buried wearing jewelry made from shell beads. Hence, from time immemorial adornments made from beads have been of value in the society. It is, therefore, surprising that these days many people are unaware of the value of beads and the potential they have to make fabulous jewelry items.
– Variety and uses of beads made from shells
You will find different types of shell beads in the market. The variety of beads depends on the shells used to make them. Some good examples are Mother – of – Pearl, Paua, cowrie and abalone among others. These beads made from shells differ in size, shape, finish, and texture. You should pick your choice of beads depending on the kind of project you want to do and your budget.
You can use shell beads in other ways apart from making jewelry. These beads are also used in embroidery and even in home décor. They are unique, and they give any item an earthy look. Hence, they are of value to those that like simple and organic pieces.
Jewelry made from shells is often found at tropical destinations and often bought by tourists. However, shell bead jewelry has also evolved and is no longer just found in tropical destinations. These days, shell are polished and processed in a way that makes attractive beads used in high-end jewelry.
A good example is beads made from mother of pearl that when polished are dazzling. In fact, it is likely that you have seen an exquisite necklace somewhere and had no idea it is a shell bead necklace. Hence, these beads can be used to make simple everyday jewelry or high-end pieces depending on the origin of the beads, the design, and finish chosen by the artisan.
You can also use shell beads to embroider accessories such as shoes, sandals, handbags, hair clips and purses among others. They can be embroidered on clothes as well and have been used for clothes embroidery for a long time. So you can use these beads for a variety of projects and be as creative as you like when using them.
– Places to buy beads
You can get a variety of shell beads from crafts shops, or you can purchase them online. Online bead supply merchants are a great choice as they offer a variety to choose from and great discounts for bulk purchases. You also get to shop from the comfort of your home and can even arrange for the vendor to deliver the beads to your doorstep. So why not purchase these beads for your next creative project today!
The author is a freelance writer that enjoys writing articles on DIY projects. She has written many articles on jewelry making and home décor. Her articles are based on her personal experience in different DIY projects that she does during her free time. In this article, she highlights the benefits and uses of shell beads.
This article is copyright protected.