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!

Halloween Mask Making!

Last year before Halloween, I was not sure on what I was going to be. I decided to make my own mask using casting materials and than decorate it which ever way I wanted afterwards. For some reason I have a fascination with pigs, so I decided to make a pig mask. The next part will explain how to make the base of your mask so it will fit your face perfectly.

Things you will need:
-Roll of plaster impregnated gauze strips,  Rigid Wrap Plaster Gauze

-1 Cup of DRY Plaster Of Paris 8 Lb. Tub: White

-2 bowls 

-warm water 

-petroleum jelly or any thick moisturizer

-scissors 

-paper towels 

-cloth head band 

-old shirt

-clean up soap & towel 

-mirror  

-a comfortable chair with table (or I just laid on the floor)


Try having a partner helping you. It really makes everything go a lot easier!

Instructions: 
1.) First put the head band over your hair line. You can also lay a towel over your hair, just make sure no hair is on your face.

2.) Cover the person's face with a thick coat of the jelly or moisturizer. This is so the mask won't stick to your face when trying to take it off. I have also heard of people using plastic wrap to cover their face, but I have never used it.

3.) Mix the plaster and water together and cover the gauze strips (one at a time) with the plaster mix.

4.) Lay the strips around the face, and eventually covering the whole face. Make sure you leave wholes on the nose for the person to breath. Depending on how you want to mask to look, you can cover the eyes or leave them, and you can make strange mouths.

5.) Let the mask dry or dry long enough so you can remove the mask safety off the face without breaking it. It should come off very easy if you put the jelly cream on your face thick enough. Don't forget to wash your face with warm water afterwords!

6.) You can add more plaster on the mask to make it smooth if you like.

7.) There you have it, a mask that will fit your face perfectly.

After I made my mask I cut out two pig ears from pieces of cardboard. I than took some of the left over gauze and plaster and covered them, giving them depth. Once the mask and ears were dry I used a glue gun and more gauze and plaster to attach them together. I than found some left over clay from my past projects and covered my mask with it. I had no way of drying the clay so I cracked all over with pieces falling off. Some would have taken all of the clay off and called it a mistake but for myself I thought it looked really cool! I took some Mod Podge and covered the mask. Once it was dry it kept the clay together with a cool looking effect to it. I found some small pieces of tin foil and glued those on my mask for some design. I than had to figure out a way to keep my mask on my head.

I began making material dreads. I took scrap material and sewed them into tubes. I stuffed them with recycled news paper to keep their shape. I than took all the loose dreads and sewed them to one solid piece of material that I sewed all around the top part of my mask.

This is my finished product! I loved making this mask. It was so much fun! I am looking forward to doing it again soon and I know you will enjoy making your own mask to!

No Slip Bookmarks!

I love to use the site stumble upon. The other day I was stumbling and found a blog that showed a great tutorial to make a no slip book mark! I was so excited about the craft I started to dream about making one for myself! I decided to make one and this is what mine looks like!

I got the idea from MaryJanes and Galoshes blogspot! Click here to see their tutorial!

Thanks to your post I will never loss my page in my book again!

The Best Kung Pao Chicken.

I found this blog with the recipe for Kung Pao Chicken through stumble upon. Just recently I decided I wanted to start learning how to cook amazing meals. I have little experience in the kitchen but this recipe was very simple to make and it tasted so good! I highly recommend making this for a Chinese themed supper. It's so simple that I had my fiancee cooking it to and his experience in the kitchen consists of making eggs and frozen pizza!
Here is the link to the blog I found Kung Pao Chicken!

Thanks Blog Chef! It truly was the best Kung Pao Chicken I have ever had!

Clay Sculpting!

I love getting messy when crafting and I love using clay! This is a long time ago but I sculpted this way back in high school. It is a little pig.

Just recently I decided to sell this sculpture I made. It's going for $20.00 plus shipping and handling. It is a very cute decorative piece for any child's room!