Bead Kits

Walco Bead Co. was one of the largest bead companies in the U.S.A. at the start 1900's. It was a landmark in New York's "bead alley" at 37 West 37th Street. more...

Home
Airbrush
Art Clay & Sand
Basketry
Beads
Bedazzler
Bernina Sewing Machine
Berroco Yarn
Buttons
Candle Soap Making
Card Embroidery
Card Making
Cardmaking Scrapbooking
Ceramic Molds
Creative Memories
Crochet
Cross Stitch
Embroidery
Fabric
Fabric Quilt
Fiskars
Floral Supplies
Handcrafted & Finished...
Home Arts & Crafts
Husqvarna Sewing
Husqvarna Viking
Janome Sewing Machine
Kids' Crafts
Bead Kits
Craft Books
Craft Kits
Drawing & Painting
Foam & Felt Shapes
Holiday
Other
Sand Art
Stickers
Needlecrafts & Yarn
Quilting
Sewing

Walco's techniques in marketing was to manufacture bead kits to encourage adults and children to make projects. Many styles of these kits where available, mainly Indian beading belts. During the Depression, beads where an inexpensive and Bead Crafting is a time consuming hobbie that produced beautiful results. These Kits included beads, a bead Loom, sting, and instructions.

In the 1930's with the addition of the "Official Boy Scout Beadcraft Outfit" all kits came with a full illustrated easy-to-read instructions, "Walco Indian Bead Loom". With this complete beadcraft outfit you can make a variety of colorful Indian belts, rings, neckerchief slides, and other beautiful beaded objects.

As the 1950's came around, Walco introduced jewelry kits and larger "Bead Embroidery Kits". These where eye catching for women to Glamorize their cloths as Sweaters, Blouses, Dresses, Scarfs, Stoles, and Jackets. Sold as complete kits or Patterns available separately.

Beaded Bouquets was yet another kit available, in a soft cover book titled "WALCO Instructions for making BEADED BOUQUETS" This containing instructions for making California Poppy, Rose Spray, Rose Bouquet, Tulips and Daisies, Sweetheart Roses, Apple Blossoms and Lily-of-the-Valley, Country Charmer, Geranium Garden, and Iris-Daisy-Daffodil.

By the the early 1970's Walco manufactured many other kits, like Li'l Missy Beaded Dolls, MS…Beaded Doll Kits, Christmas Beaded Ornaments, Ming Tree Kits, Beaded Vegetable Kits, DO-IT-YOURSELF Beaded Fruit, and Easter Egg Ornament Kits.

Some time around 1976, the Walco Beaded Company changed hands to the Holiday Company. (Below is an incomplete listing of the kits)

1935

No.1144 Official Boy Scout Beadcraft Outfit;

1950's Bead Embroidery Kits

No. 132 uses Crystal Leaf Jewels, Simulated Gold (or White) Round Pearls, Silver Beads and Silver Bugles.;

No. 134 uses Star-Shaped Jewels, Simulated White Round Pearls ( 2 sizes) and Silver Beads.;

No. 138 uses Silver Beads, Silver Bugles and Simulated White Round Pearls.; No. 138K Bead Embroidery Kit - Complete Kits contain full size pattern and whatever Beadcraft materails are necessary; such as Beads, Pearls, Bugles, Drops, Rhinestones, Jewels and Beading Needls, etc. Illustrated easy-to-follow instructions included.; No. 138A Stole; No. 171 Collar and Gloves Uses simulated White Oval Pearls Crystal Sew-On Rhinestones;

Li'l Missy Beaded Dolls

These Dolls measured 6" tall.

Read more at Wikipedia.org