28. June 2012 12:27
by Lynne
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Native American beaders have used Charlotte cut beads for years. The fact that Charlottes are available in different sizes has led many artists to include these popular beads in their work. 
Older beaders frequently mix the same size of seed and Charlotte cut beads together in one piece, which can lead to interesting effects where part of the design sparkles in the light. Today it’s more common for Native beaders to make entire pieces using only cut beads. Generally, they prefer the smaller size beads—13 through 15—resulting in a richer and more complex pattern. And, because of the cost of the beads, the price will be higher.
Some of the American Indian artists whose work is offered on Coyote’s Game use Charlotte cut beads in their beadwork. Here’s an example of a loomed hat band that mixes cut and seed beads:
A few artists work exclusively with Charlotte cut beads. Comanche Jr. Weryackwe is one of these. A nationally recognized artist, Jr. has been creating his unique cut beadwork since 1973. Although no two pieces are alike, each includes symbols traditional to Comanche culture and history. Below are several examples of Jr.’s work:
Clicking on the picture will take you to our web site where you can find a full description of each piece and more of Jr.’s work.
