Beadwork is the art or craft of attaching beads to one another or to cloth using a needle and thread. Most beadwork takes the form of jewelry or other personal adornnment, but beads are also used in wall hangings and sculpture.

Beadwork techniques are broadly divided into loom and off-loom weaving, stringing, bead embroidery, bead crochet, and bead knitting.

Most cultures have employed beads for personal adornment. Archaeological records show that people made and used beads as long as 5000 years ago. Beads have also been used for religious purposes, as good luck talismans, and as curative agents.

Beadwork traditions

• Middle Eastern and Egyptian beadwork
• Scythian gold bead making
• Central Asian metalsmithing and gemstone carving
• Indian beadwork
• Chinese beadwork
• European beadwork
• Native American beadwork

A number of bead artists have published their work on the web. Projects and patterns are widely available.