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BeadworkWhen the first European trappers and traders ventured west, they came armed with glass beads to trade for food and supplies with the Indians they encountered. Many tribes were already decorating their clothing with porcupine quills, but beads quickly replaced or supplemented the quills because they were easier to work with and allowed for more detailed designs such as mountains, tipis, flowers, animals and insects.  Beadwork designs have been passed down by families for generations The Northern Arapaho and the Eastern Shoshone are particularly well-known for their beadwork. Historically, the two tribes developed unique styles: the Arapaho are associated with stylized, geometric motifs while the Shoshone, more heavily influenced by Christian missionaries, are known for their intricate floral patterns. Today these distinctions are beginning to blend as beaders from both tribes borrow from different traditions to create their own individual style. The quality of beadwork varies according to the size and shape of the beads, the colors employed by the beader, and by the intricacies of the pattern. Many beaders seeking to mimic traditional styles use reproduction beads from France and Czechoslovakia; beads that are made in the same way and using the same colors as those brought over by the Europeans hundreds of years ago. These beads are slightly irregular and have softer colors than modern beads. In addition, the highest quality beadwork features elaborate designs that require tiny, time-consuming stitching to secure the pattern in place.
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