BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Beadwork How to get a young man interested in beading

Opening this thread for suggestions. For my son, I've found that he's interested in wirework and chain mail. Less interested in seed beads. I think if I'd gotten to him younger and had him design a bracelet that may have worked.

He sounds very masculine-oriented so why not suggest learning to make some symbolic pendants that protect the warrior in him (chain mail made me think of armor)? Necklaces and bracelets that hold meaning are very popular among young people today. Maybe with a bead with a Japanese symbol for courage, bravery, strength, wisdom or something like that. His friends will want him to make them one.

Also, if he is older, you might suggest that he learn seed beading to give as gifts to female family members or girl friends.

There are many ways to created beading that would be more male preference such as working with metals and maybe leather. There are many masculine styles of jewelry that can be created.



Back when I was in school ( a lifetime ago) the football team was required to take basket weaving and beading for the therapeutic purposes as well as to mentally center themselves

Wanting to make a masculine bracelet or applique picture, like a buffalo, would be a great way to encourage him. I like the idea of incorporating "the warrior in him" as Chi said.

Some of the best beaders in the world are Native American men. One excellent example is David Dean. You can read my article on a book review I did for him at Native American Traditional Beading

Here is a Buffalo I beaded for my grandson (12 years old). He loves it so much and wants to learn how to bead like this. He would sit for hours and watch me bead his Buffalo, touch the beads and just marvel at how his "buffalo was growing". I framed it in a very masculine frame with a tan suede background.