In my last post I wrote that I stopped at a pretty cool store called iBead and I purchased a loom kit to create beaded jewelry and more.
Yesterday, I tried my hand at making a bracelet, a small project for beginners.
This is the beginning of a pattern that is already given in the box. As you can see, thread goes from one end to the other. We take the amount of beads needed for the pattern onto the beading needle, slide them down the string that is attached to the last string on the loom. Then we just fit the beads in from underneath, slide the needle and thread back through the beads, making sure that the needle passes over the loom threads and they will stay in place. pull tight though to secure them.
It is actually pretty simple, I thought it would have been harder but I think the hard part would be to come up with a pattern that works and figuring out how many strings you need to create it. Grid paper and pencil is all thats needed to create a pattern, but there is lots online to use as well.
Here you can see the loom and strings better, as well as the pattern. Oh, just remembered, if you are starting out beading, use small bowls and short ones if you can so that you don't knock them over. I did with the black beads and it sucked to pick them all up.
When making beaded jewelry, with the experience I had with this, noting that I am just a beginner, you have to have some patience. It took me a very long time to get to this point that you see in the image, mind you, I was also watching a show so it took me that much longer. Slow is good when starting, though, because this way you are not making it messy and paying attention to details.
The most difficult part for me was tying off when finished. I wasn't quite sure how to do it and youtube videos shown all sorts of ways. For some reason my first and last row were loose, like the row of beads were moving more compared to the rest so there may be something I'm missing when finishing it. I made this traditional bracelet for my son so I just braided the threads together and tied them together so he could slip it on and off.
I think next time I will be going to use a more sturdy or more stretchy string so that it could around the wrist tighter yet stretch of the wrist, and for my daughters I already have clamps and claw thingies to tie them on like necklaces. I need to get some more beads to create something for the girls in the colors they like. I can't wait to go shopping for more and create a variety to choose from.
I'll be posting more of these when I can start creating more using traditional (Ojibwe etc) patterns. For now, just gotta wait for the chance to get to the store!
Enjoy the day everyone!
