I use long leaf pine needles (from Florida and Louisiana), Sweet grass, Muhly (Muhlenbergia Capillaris) Grass, black walnut slices, imitation sinew (in all colors I can find) and other threads at times. I also dye my own needles using commercial dyes. I use glass beads and sometimes cabochons. I use the simple stitch, split stitch, Ti stitch and Wheat stitch. I have used other stitches such as the Carlson combo, Diamond stitch, Fern stitch and solid wraps. There are so many ways to get creative using beads and anything else that can work.