Walco's technique in marketing was to manufacture bead kits to encourage adults and children to make projects. Many styles of these kits were available, mainly Indian beading belts. During the Depression, beads were an inexpensive and Bead Crafting was a time consuming hobby that produced beautiful results. These Kits included beads, a bead loom, string, and instructions.
In the 1930s with the addition of the "Official Boy Scout Beadcraft Outfit" all kits came with 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.
In the 1950s, Walco introduced jewelry kits and larger "Bead Embroidery Kits". These were eye catching for women to glamorize their clothes - their sweaters, blouses, dresses, scarves, stoles, and jackets. These kits were sold as complete kits and patterns were available separately.
Beaded Bouquets was yet another kit available, in a soft cover book titled "WALCO Instructions for making BEADED BOUQUETS". This contained 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 early 1970s 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)
No. 1144 - Official Boy Scout Beadcraft Outfit 1935No. 2100 - Walco Bead Gardens (wood bead flowers) 1939No. 3410 Add beauty and Sparkle to Costumes, Accessories and Dolls Clothing.Complete Sequin Earring Kit included. Sequins,beads,earrings,thread,needles.Illustrated easy-to-follow instructions included.1942 Tile-Craft mats Walco Bead-Crafts Booklet No 10, Tile-Craft is rapidly capturing the fancy of the home and school craft lovers. Beads and craft cord to make coasters,trivets and baskets.
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 materials are necessary; such as Beads, Pearls, Bugles, Drops, Rhinestones, Jewels and Beading Needls, etc. Illustrated easy-to-follow instructions included.No. 138A StoleNo. 171 Collar and Gloves Uses simulated White Oval Pearls Crystal Sew-On RhinestonesThese Dolls measured 6" tall.
Li'l Missy Beaded Dolls
These dolls measured 10.5" tall.
13501 MS. TONI13502 MS. DANI13503 MS. BOBBI13504 MS. WENDI13505 MS. SUZI13506 MS. STACIPhotos of actual dolls on original MS. TONI doll kit box from Walco, manufacturer.
Christmas beaded ornaments and decorations
3110 Toy Soldier3112 Mr. Claus3113 Night Before Christmas3133 Holiday Faces - 53147 Emerald on green satin3160 Christmas Morning Christmas Felt Centerpiece Kit3169 Royal Green3169 Coral and Lime3172 ?3201 Red Roses3202 Pink Roses3408 White Satin bell with Red Jewels3410 White Satin bell with Blue Jewels3417A Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus Christmas Ornament Kit3418 Bell with Jewels - A - Light Blue, B - Lavender or C - White Satin3420 Candy Cane / Elf - 33422 Hot pink satin3428 Gingerbread Man - 23430 Carousel Christmas Ornament Kit (kit makes pair)3431 Carolers - 23432 Christmas Angels - 23439 Snowman Head - 33443 Christmas Elves - 33444 Christmas Candles - 43446 Santa's Reindeer (kit contains pair)3454 Ice Skates3460 Roly Poly Mrs. Santa3465 Jolly Choo Choo3466 Holiday Lamps - 23472 Christmas Boot3482 Gingerbread Houses3486 Mini Satin Teardrop - 33489 Grandfather Clock
3490 Santa Mouse - 23493 Sporty Snowmen - 24015 Christmas Calicos - Star, Tree and Bell - 34018 Cupids Balloon3163C Blue satin3411C Moss green satin3414C Turquoise blue3418A Light blue satin3418B White with red sequinsM4151 Xmas tree shaped ornaments - A - Crystal Iris, B - Kelly Green or C - Silver - 3M4152 Wreath shaped ornaments - 3 ? Santa's visit4148B Christmas boots ? SWISS CLOCKS6014 Pin-A-Bead 7" Beaded Flocked Figurine Christmas Kit - Mr. Santa6015 Pin-A-Bead 7" Beaded Flocked Figurine Christmas Kit - Mrs. Santa6100 Musical Revolving Carousel Tree KitCORAL ROSE BUD6201 CUCUMBER6203 CARROTB6000H Beaded Pineapple Centerpiece KitB6000J 7 PIECES OF FRUIT KIT ? Strawberry cluster5144 LAVENDAR EGG ORNAMENTWalco Bead-Crafts Booklet No. 14—Instructions & Designs For Wood Belts, Necklaces, Bracelets, and Bags. Published in 1935 the 18 page booklet has remarkable beaded bags, jewelry and belts, with detailed and complete instructions beading guides for patterns, including symbol keys for the bead colors needed for each project.WALCO Instructions for making BEADED BOUQUETS, with 9 Original Designs by Virginia Nathanson. WALCO Products, Inc., New York, Book No. 109XWalco's Do It Yourself Decorated Christmas Tree Ornaments with 14 unique ornament patterns.