Long before contact between European and American Indian cultures, Native Americans used natural objects such as bone, semi-precious stones, shells, quills, and feathers to create artifacts of great beauty and originality. Trade routes spanning North and Central America brought sacred and valued items such as shells, parrot feathers, and semi-precious stones to tribes distant from their sources.

For example, copper bells, shells and parrot feathers from Central America have been found at Chaco Canyon in northern New Mexico. Some anthropologists believe that a workshop producing turquoise beads for trade existed at the Chaco complex.

When trade beads were introduced, Native craftspeople quickly saw that their arts could be enriched by these colorful glass beads. Over the years, trade beads have been used to enhance traditional designs and to decorate everything from clothing to ceremonial objects. With time the skill of beading was passed on to tribes across the continent.

Today, museums and collectors across the United States recognize and collect quality Native American beadwork by contemporary artists. Many artists now give this traditional craft a unique look by combining old and new. They may use beads in new ways, or combine new glass beads with antique beads and natural gemstones. Coyote's Game is proud to offer a sampling of both traditional and modern Native American beadwork.

Coyote's Game offers a wide selection of Native American beaded jewelry and items from tribes across the United States. Browsing through our beadwork section will show you many different styles of beadwork-from lane stitching to peyote stitch to loomed bead work, in both modern and traditional patterns.

Shop for earrings and necklaces made by nationally recognized Kewa-Creek-Seminole artist LeJune Chavez, as well as the unique beadwork of Canadian Three Fires Odawa artist Sharon Trudeau. Better known by her Odawa name of Waawaaskonenhens, Sharon uses Delica beads and bone hair pipe beads to create jewelry that makes a contemporary fashion statement.

The charm of Native American beadwork is in the brilliant colors and the sparkle or shine any light casts on smooth or faceted beads. Unfortunately, computer imaging doesn't yet have the quality to capture the depth of color or the sparkle. We ask our visitors to use their imaginations when looking at the beadwork in this section. Make the colors deeper. Make them glow and sparkle and you'll know what these items really look like.

All of the items in this section are made by individuals or families and are mostly one of a kind, since this is part of the American Indian crafts tradition. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about individual items, and, on request, to provide more, or larger pictures of one or two items.

We encourage you to email us with any questions you may have about our merchandise.

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