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Chevron-Historically
one of the most popular beads ever made. First invented in the 1500's
by the Venetians, the chevron is a drawn glass bead with from 2 to 8
layers that are ground or reheated to smooth and round out the ends,
producing the star shape on each end. The most common colors are alternating
layers of red, white and blue.
Czech
Glass-Then named Bohemia and Moravia, beads have been made there
since the tenth century. They learned the Venetian secrets of glassmaking
but specialized in glass imitations of stones and other materials which
were cheaper than the natural materials, thus undercutting other countries
markets in the stone industry.
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Dutch
Glass-taught by Venetians living in Holland, Dutch beadmakers
joined in the world market to trade with North American Indians, particularly
the Susquehannock and Iroquois tribes.
Eye
beads-beads made from any material that have a circular or spotted
decoration. Traditionally used for protection and to divert the "evil
eye".
Russian
Blues-Prized by the Native Americans on the Columbia River in
the Pacific Northwest, these cobalt-colored blue glass beads can be
either smooth or faceted.
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Venetian Glass-Venice
was the dominant force in glassmaking in volume, quality and diversity
up until the 20th century, and beadmaking can be traced to the early
1300's. Common Venetian trade beads are "Millefiore", or "a
thousand flowers", which are colorful mosaics of glass in floral
patterns.
White
hearts-small glass beads characterized by the white center core
and a layer of one color over it. Most commonly found in shades of red,
but also found in turquoise and green colors.
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