How we do it 

I've been asked to write something about how I create my beaded tack . This won't be a tutorial, but it will give you an idea of the supplies you would need and a little about how the work is done. I'm also glad to answer questions on my Facebook page, Red Desert Saddlery.  ( I will only be talking about my model tack, not my rider dolls, here;  I would be glad to write another piece on dollmaking if there is interest.) 

--Simple beading loom. The one I use was bought from Tandy nearly 40 years ago and serves me well to this day. The same basic loom is available today for not much more than I paid then: Fire Mountain has one for seven dollars, Amazon for $13, JoAnn Fabrics for only $6. I suggest the Beadalon or Beadsmith brands. 

 All boxed looms include instructions on how to set up and thread the loom and make a simple beaded piece.  To go beyond that, I suggest getting a pad of graph paper, ten squares to the inch, and practice drawing out the pattern of a beaded piece you like. If you've ever done cross stitch you already know how this works.  

--Seed beads. I use size 15 beads for Traditional scale models. I know they are a little bit large for accurate scale, but they look good, show well, and are easy to get and to work with. 15s are the largest seed beads you should use in models.  18s are better, but are not as easy to get, and the very tiny beads (size 20-22 - the number equals how many beads per inch) take real patience and time.  My standby beads are size 15 Japanese rocailles by the Miyuki company, which I get from Fire Mountain Gems & Beads (firemountaingems.com).  (FM will become one of your best friends if you take up this craft.)  Etsy is also a great source for seed beads and supplies. 

--Beading needles and thread. Again, Fire Mountain will be your friend here. You want size zero or double zero Nymo thread and needles of at least size 12 if not smaller. I prefer 15-16s, but those are harder to get (Etsy will help you there). 

--Soft leather,  usually chamois. I get this from auto supply stores where it's sold for polishing cars. Make sure you get the real thing!  A number of fake chamois substitutes are sold under names like Shammy and Sham-wow; you don't want to end up making your tack with yellow flannel.  Be sure the phrase "genuine leather" appears in the listing somewhere, especially if buying online (Amazon is a good source if you don't have an automotive  store nearby). 

--Saddle trees and stirrups.  These used to be exclusively made from resin, now they are often found cast in pewter.  Several types are out there, typically the "antler"  type of frame saddle with its high pommel and cantle, and the lower frame called a "prairie chicken snare".  You can usually get several types of cast stirrups as well.  I get mine from The World of Model Horse Collecting (TWMHC) shop on eBay.   (3D casting is beginning to catch up with this field, happy to say!)

-- Basic art and craft supplies: colored pencils or crayons, glue, good sharp scissors (I suggest several pairs including some smaller sharp ones for detail cutting and fringe),  cutting board.


Reference material: This is really important in my work as I try to be historically accurate.  Back when I started, there was no Internet (yeah, I'm old =) ) and I relied on books.  Today there's much more available online, but you still can benefit from having several good books on hand.   I suggest:

"The Mystic Warriors of the Plains" by Thomas Mails.  Huge book loaded with detailed drawings including the construction of saddles and bridles, types of saddles, tribal paint on horses, cutting and painting of feathers, and more.  This is THE sourcebook for Plains tribes tack and details,  a bit dated now, but I think everyone should start with it. Easy to find as well.   (Mails' other big book, "Dog Soldiers, Bear Men and Buffalo Women", focuses on the religious and warrior societies of the Plains Tribes. It's also useful, but start with Mystic Warriors.) 

"Native American Saddlery and Trappings: A History in Paper Dolls" by J.K Oliver. Yes, it's a paper doll book, don't laugh! It is deeply researched and gives you full-color, beautifully drawn, full sets of Navajo, Lakota, Crow, Cree/Salish, and Nez Perce horse gear, plus two horses to put them on and even a dog travois with  dog. One of the best reference books out there; I wish it was still in print! it is really worth looking for.

"Native American Horse Gear" by E. Helene Sage. Beautiful book with many, many full-color photographs, a terrific reference.

"Native American Beadwork" by Teresa Flores Geary. She gives clear patterns for some basic pieces that will help anyone learn how graphing out a design works and how you can adapt it to your needs.

I do use Pinterest! but it's important to double check sources there. A photograph may be attributed to more than one tribe or have no annotation at all.  Make sure there is some attribution, the more the better, dates especially.