PEOPLE have used beads to decorate objects, clothing and themselves for thousands of years.

Opportunities sometimes arise, however, for decorating objects with square or rectangular faces, or where certain considerations of function restrict the extent of possible ornament.

"The human impulse to decorate functional objects links them together," said Ulysses G. Dietz, curator of decorative arts, who chose them from the museum's collection.

The name "peyote stitch" derives from the use of this stitch to decorate objects used in peyote ceremonies by members of the Native American Church.

Leaves are made into brushes and used for decorating pottery, ceremonial masks, altars and other objects.

Calligraphy decorates several objects.

While they are mostly regarded as children's toys in Europe, in the U.S. they are available in intricate designs and are used to decorate objects.

Since 1983, Stevens has painstakingly decorated various objects with thousands of colorful buttons.

Fretwork patterns originally were ornamental designs used to decorate objects with a grid or a lattice.

They are used in decorative painting techniques and faux finishes, often to decorate objects of ordinary life.