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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Circa 1930's Apache Bead Loom

I enjoy adding looms to my studio inventory. My latest and favorite find, so far, is this circa 1930's Apache Bead Loom! These looms were originally patented in 1903 to offer 'hands on' beading, to the Victorian Lady, at home. The clippings and manuals state this loom can also be an invaluable tool, to Mothers and Teachers, "The lesson learned on a loom will help the children be skillfull with their fingers and develope their mechanical and artistic brains cells."

This purchase included the fold-out paper instructions, a spool of thread, all the pegs, small charted designs and the half completed piece on the loom, with weft and a thin needle still attached.


I find this an interesting set up, opposed to what we find on looms, in our market today. The only roller, has a "gilt headed tack". To begin, the number of warps required are knotted together, then the warps are split and hinged on the tack. Turn the roll once, then use gilt head tack #2 by placing it into a hole on the outside of the roller edge.


Each warp is separated and placed in a corresponding snotches in the "fret", on each end. The instructions also include a suggestion of using a strong, linen finish thread or silk.


The final step is to secure the opposite end, of the warps, by slipping them, grouped, between the knotch, on base, and plug the hole.


Another thread is cut, for the weft. It is suggested to start weaving on the loom, with the roller furthest from you. Tension is controled by removing the plug, pulling on the warps, then replacing the plug. The tack can also be moved to another hole, in the roller end.

The directions for warp management are summed up by suggesting each warp be knotted, in groups of two, or rewoven back into the finished work.

I can whole heartedly agree, with the manual, stating this loom offers a means to develope mechanical and artistic brain cells. Think I will have this same suggestion, written down and framed, for my bead studio wall. [Like I need a reason to weave on a loom often :) ]




Thursday, December 13, 2012

Yule Tangled Up!


Just sent back to me, from BEAD Magazine UK, and perfect timing, for the Holiday! Now I can share and explain a bit of what I had in mind, when I designed this cuff.

These are 1.8mm glass cubes, woven on the loom. The light bulbs are silver lined color cubes and the background is a matt black. You can even see, in this photo, how the silver lined cubes actually shine, as if the bulbs are turned on.

The outer most warps are C-Lon Tex 400, one in red and the other green. The dangle of tree lights are tear drop shaped Swarovski Crystals and silver Keyan spacers, wrapped on sterling wires. A spiral of 11/0 silver lined glass beads create the winding garland.

There are two magnetic barrel clasps, where the weaving splits off, spaced two cube widths apart. The tangled wires, depicted on top of the cuff, are 15/0 matt glass seed beads sewn into the warps.

This pattern is in the current issue of BEAD.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Game On....Any Team!

This Holiday Season is keeping me busy, creating cuffs and earrings, for any and all of the NFL Football League Teams. I love the challenge to produce a pattern for a team I have not been following. It is giving me the oppertunity to work in different design ideas and color ways. Here are two cuffs, with more to share soon.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

NEW YORK GIANTS

But I am also making earrings, either to match the cuffs, or alone. I am switching between the loom and off-loom, but surely prefer my loom use better!


Even though all the teams are not displayed here, there are others to share. I am such a Ravens Fan and wanted to show my colors, in and out of the stadium. It was hard to find some artsy type sport jewelry, so I decided it was time to create my own. Now, I am finding others are feeling the same, wanting to keep me in orders!

Maybe this post will offer some inspiration to other "Sport Lovin' Beaders"!