Athabascan Beading.

For many years flowers and leaves formed the bulk of Alaskan Athabascan beadwork designs. Early Athabascan beadwork consisted primarily of simple geometric patterns, but after the advent of the French in Canada, elaborate floral designs popular in 18th and 19th century France were translated into Woodland Indian beadwork. In traditional procedure a sharp stick dipped into a flour and water paste traced the design onto a leather backing. Porcupine quills, seed beads, or beads from the local trader were sewn with moose sinew directly onto the backing. Two stitches, the lazy stitch and the overlay, could be used, and Alaskan Athabascans chose the overlay which employed two threads. One thread was used to string the beads; the other whipped the bead string onto the backing. The ancient procedures and designs are still in use today, although needles, white sewing thread, white felt or velvet, commercial beads and ink pens have replaced the more traditional materials. Drawing upon the expertise of two Athabascan artisans, this document relates their procedures for doing beadwork and gives beginning, intermediate and advanced beadwork designs. Photographs of finished work are also included. An excerpt from "Alaskan Athabascan Beadwork" by Kate Duncan discusses the craft and its history and describes beadwork styles characteristic of particular villages or areas. (DS)