Learning to Bead using a Loom!

My grandmother is always teaching me how to make something different every week. Since I just started this blog, I'm trying to catch up with all the crafts I have made so far with her. Months ago she taught me how to work with a loom. A loom is a device to weave cloth but this loom is for bead work. I came up with the idea to make a bracelet. First I searched the Internet for a design pattern that I liked. The one I am using is a Sioux Tribe design which is a part of my heritage.You can buy a loom at any craft store, or you can even make one!

This is what the Loom and Pattern looks like!

Loom patterns consists of different squares. Each square represents a different bead. Coloring each square comes in handy while beading so you do not get mixed up on what color bead comes next.

Next is threading your Loom! For the best instructions on threading a loom, click on this link. Instructions!

Next is to start beading. With a thread and loom needle (usually comes with the loom kit) and following the pattern bead your first line of beads onto the thread. Put your finger under all the threads and lightly push up the beads between each thread. Each bead should have their own space. Once all the beads are in between the thread pull the needle and thread over the top of the loom. Pull the needle through all the beads so that the beads can't fall down. The end of the thread does not have to be tied; try not to pull the end through. Later we will deal with the loose threads. Bead your second line of beads onto the thread and repeat.

This is the start of my bracelet. It should start to look like this. Make sure you don't tangle yourself with the thread. It is okay to run out of thread for your beads. Just weave the end of your thread through the previous line of beads so that the end of the thread can not be seen. This will be dealt with later. Once the end of the thread is hidden start your beading again with the first steps continuing your pattern.

This is my mom working on her loom work. To keep our working space clean we used trays and plates to keep our beads separate from each other. Also using a cloth material works to.

Sorry for the blurry picture. Once your done your bead work, carefully take it off the loom. Begin sewing the ends into the beads so the ends are not seen. Eventually it will get hard to sew into your beads because of all the thread so be strategic on where you are sewing each thread. The beads will be so filled with thread that the thread will not come out. The bead work can also become stiff. This is normal.

As you can see I am not done my bracelet. The next step is to find a piece of leather and sew my bead work to it. Than to cut the ends of the leather so it will be able to be tied to your wrist. You can make your bead work as long as you want. People make belts and many other crafts using this type of beading. I found it very enjoyable and extremely fun! I'm thinking about decorating my winter boots with this bead work in the future! 

So there you have it! Enjoy beading!