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 1935
No. 2100 - Walco Bead Gardens (wood bead flowers) 1939
No. 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 Stole
No. 171 Collar and Gloves Uses simulated White Oval Pearls Crystal Sew-On Rhinestones
These Dolls measured 6" tall.
Li'l Missy Beaded Dolls
These dolls measured 10.5" tall.
13501 MS. TONI
13502 MS. DANI
13503 MS. BOBBI
13504 MS. WENDI
13505 MS. SUZI
13506 MS. STACI
Photos of actual dolls on original MS. TONI doll kit box from Walco, manufacturer.
Christmas beaded ornaments and decorations
3110 Toy Soldier
3112 Mr. Claus
3113 Night Before Christmas
3133 Holiday Faces - 5
3147 Emerald on green satin
3160 Christmas Morning Christmas Felt Centerpiece Kit
3169 Royal Green
3169 Coral and Lime
3172 ?
3201 Red Roses
3202 Pink Roses
3408 White Satin bell with Red Jewels
3410 White Satin bell with Blue Jewels
3417A Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus Christmas Ornament Kit
3418 Bell with Jewels - A - Light Blue, B - Lavender or C - White Satin
3420 Candy Cane / Elf - 3
3422 Hot pink satin
3428 Gingerbread Man - 2
3430 Carousel Christmas Ornament Kit (kit makes pair)
3431 Carolers - 2
3432 Christmas Angels - 2
3439 Snowman Head - 3
3443 Christmas Elves - 3
3444 Christmas Candles - 4
3446 Santa's Reindeer (kit contains pair)
3454 Ice Skates
3460 Roly Poly Mrs. Santa
3465 Jolly Choo Choo
3466 Holiday Lamps - 2
3472 Christmas Boot
3482 Gingerbread Houses
3486 Mini Satin Teardrop - 3
3489 Grandfather Clock
3490 Santa Mouse - 2
3493 Sporty Snowmen - 2
4015 Christmas Calicos - Star, Tree and Bell - 3
4018 Cupids Balloon
3163C Blue satin
3411C Moss green satin
3414C Turquoise blue
3418A Light blue satin
3418B White with red sequins
M4151 Xmas tree shaped ornaments - A - Crystal Iris, B - Kelly Green or C - Silver - 3
M4152 Wreath shaped ornaments - 3
? Santa's visit
4148B Christmas boots
? SWISS CLOCKS
6014 Pin-A-Bead 7" Beaded Flocked Figurine Christmas Kit - Mr. Santa
6015 Pin-A-Bead 7" Beaded Flocked Figurine Christmas Kit - Mrs. Santa
6100 Musical Revolving Carousel Tree Kit
CORAL ROSE BUD
6201 CUCUMBER
6203 CARROT
B6000H Beaded Pineapple Centerpiece Kit
B6000J 7 PIECES OF FRUIT KIT
? Strawberry cluster
5144 LAVENDAR EGG ORNAMENT
Walco 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. 109X
Walco's Do It Yourself Decorated Christmas Tree Ornaments with 14 unique ornament patterns.
