Wampum Belt/Bookmark...Storytelling with Beads
Wampum Belts are traditional strings of shell beads of the Native American Indians. Strings and belts of wampums were used for storytelling, asking for marriage, used as a gift, used to declare war or peace between two groups, used as money, and also used, instead of writing, to record treaties or historical events. With our 4th graders learning about the Native American Indians, this creative project gives a brief example of how this Indian art is made. Following is the step by step process for making a small Wampum Belt...but in this case only big enough to be a bookmark.
In preparation for the class, beads were divided into separate bags...and in this case, each student received 5 colors, 20 beads of each color, with 100 beads total for the project. Prior to weaving the project, each student laid out their design on a design sheet first.
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Then prepare the loom. Use ridge 2" by 12" cardboard, make slits on both sides to help hold the weaved yarn. I also put a "start" marker on the loom so that the student would start the bead string in a spot for easy tie-off when complete.
Tape off tail in the back...
Wind yarn through slits and wrap around loom...
Secure with tape on backside...
Tie on loom string, the working string at start position...
Secure tail of this string with masking tape on back. String should be plenty long to be able to tie off when beading is complete...
Start stringing beads. Start with the bottom bead at row one...
Push beads down needle of thread and place under loom strings, EXCEPT for the bottom string...the needle should be over the bottom string like shown below.
Pull though. Each bead should be separated by a string...
Then, pull needle though beads to secure. Notice how the exposed needle is over the red thread.
Continue through the entire pattern of bead. Again, starting for the bottom bead on the next row...
After stringing the beads, bottom rows will appear like this...
Top rows like this...
After rows are complete, wrap working string under loom strings and tie through loop as shown...
Tie off 2 or 3 times to ensure secured string.
When complete, will look like this...
Remember when you tied off the tail of the working string? Unfasten the working strings tail and tie-off the other end.
Pull working string under loom as shown...
Pull the end of the string through loop and pull tight...
Will look like this when complete. Repeat 2 or 3 times to ensure tight secure.
Lastly, cut off yarn at both ends of the loom, like shown...
When project is complete, Wampum Belt will look like the design student prepped on design sheet
These turned out really colorful and fun!
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