Detailed Patterns Take More Time!

There are only 44 colors used, in this picture, but the number of each color required per row, are small. What I am saying is that each row must have approximately 34 of the 44 total colors used, on each needle pass. This is a slower process, because I am picking up only one bead color at a time, till the entire row is complete, jumping between the multiple bead color cups. I love the meditative feeling this offers, so the slower completion time won't bother me. But take such a pattern into consideration, if you feel that you want to see the finished piece sooner, to start on the next! Look over patterns to notice the rows and colors needed to complete. Of course, you can't deny the wonderful detail, but again, you may want a pattern that moves along faster instead.

Attaching A New Weft

It is faster and easier to use the length of weft, which is the most comfortable for you to use, during any particular size looming. The more 'beads wide', the more times you will need to attach a new weft thread, because the rows are longer and use up the thread faster. I prefer to swap out my weft thread in a way that I do not have so many 'tails' of weft thread hanging around my looming. Let me share with you how I swap out my weft thread.


After tying off and cutting the short weft thread, just completing some final rows, I thread my needle on to the tail of the new thread spool, 'just thread the needle directly to the new thread spool'. Run this threaded needed into the first bead on the last row, or the same bead you exited when you finished up the row prior, still with the spool attached to the other end.


Follow through the entire last row of beads, exiting out the outside right bead, still leaving the spool attached to the new running thread, and entering the first bead in this row. Tie a double hitch knot on the outside warp, in between the two end beads of the last two rows.


After tying a tight knot, run the needle and small tail of weft thread, into the 'last bead of the second-to-the-last' row of beads. This will also pull the knot 'center' of the last two rows.


If your looming is wide, then exit the needle halfway through the row. If the looming is more narrow, then run the needle completely across the row, existing out the fist bead on the second row up, (the same row you just entered). Pull taught, then cut the new weft thread, close to the bead it was exiting.

Now you can move back to the 'spool of new weft thread'. Pull out as much thread as you feel comfortable using on your needle. Some like to use a thread just long enough for one complete arm length and others like to include extra so the new weft thread lasts longer (I prefer the extra weft thread, myself!). Cut the new length of weft thread from the spool, thread your needle and begin looming again. There are no tails to get in your way and no tails to clean up later. Also, the knot is situated in between rows, which will allow me to insert the needle, comfortably, later when I am edging or completing my finishing method.

A Vibrant Color Cell Phone Bag!

Ever since I completed my first loomed Cell Phone Bag, for RR, I was excited to start another! This is the beginning of the first panel/side. I won't share the subject of this picture, so I can let you see it unfold!

I don't think I have ever worked with such vibrant colors before. Looking through my portfolio, I notice muted tones, but this will kick my reputation up a notch!

The other side should be related to the first panel's picture, which the subject seems to be eluding me at this time. As it unfolds, noticing the subject of this panel, please offer your opinions or suggestions on the subject for the opposite side of this Loomed Cell Phone Bag!

I'll be photographing the stages in detail, since the first time I used my methods, of finishing warps, worked out perfectly, on the first bag. This time, I'll be sure to keep a log as to how it was finished off!

I have been making earrings!

It seems like forever, since I have shared some looming thoughts here on my Blog, so let me share what I have been doing since I left New York.

I'll be showing/selling at an Art Festival this weekend, Oct 2 & Oct 3, The Fells Point Festival in Baltimore Maryland. It is my favorite festival of all and the only festival I choose to show/sell my work, looming and hand woven beading.

Here are just a few of the types of earrings I have been making for this weekend.








I really prefer to loom, but earrings are a bit more tedious to loom, so I hand weave my earrings. Monday, I'll be getting back to my home base of looming. I'll be starting a new cell phone bag, one that is very colorful. This will be a photograph taken by a beading friend, Jean Upton. She takes wonderful wild life pictures. One in particular caught my eye, so I'll be starting that one first.

December 15, 2010 is the deadline for submissions to the IBA contest. They have a specific 'bead looming' catagory, so I am also submitting something for this special event. I'll be sharing what I am looming as I go, so you will notice tons of looming going on, starting Monday! I can't wait!!

My beadwork lives in New York!

It was a wonderful journey, creating a cell phone bag for someone I highly respect, then to give it to her in person.....I was crying first, then she welled up after noticing it was a picture of her Dad! This was a great time and I am glad she asked, "Does anyone have a camera?", because my head was spinning too much to even consider a picture!

She had to rush out the door to change her clothes so she could catch a plane, but we were asked to wait for the elevator so RR could take it down with us. When the elevator doors opened, she was walking on saying, "Erin, Erin, Erin!", and we talked further.

She is such a fine roll model to many....I really enjoyed my 'one time' meeting with her and glad she loved the cell phone bag!

Consider a matching set!

Now that I have completed the fringe, for this cell phone bag, I am able to step back and consider how it will be worn. It is large enough to make a statement, (3 3/4" wide by 7" deep, including the fringe).Therefore, I like to think about what other jewelry accessories would work.

A pair of earrings are a must, with this bag! Nothing too long, or would overwhelm the size of the bag, but at least, something to spread out the color combination, created in this cell phone bag.

The fringe had to include the color way of 'both sides' of the bag. Therefore, I opted to pick up the dark browns with a slight touch of blue. The fringe also includes some sterling silver caps so I could match the sterling in the strap and earrings. This way, these can be worn with copper or sterling, maybe even rose gold!

The other side of the bag has a predominant blue color, but this is great for a change of clothes. This makes this cell phone bag that much more interchangeable!

You can see, through following my stages of this bag, that there is more to consider then just the actual panel being loomed, at that time. So many steps and ways to think about, always will end up working out in the end to be something more versatile then originally thought!

Final steps of a loom woven cell phone bag!

I have made such great headway the past few days. This is a gift I am giving late next week, so I am still very much on schedule, if not ahead. The picture above shows how the 'zip' up the base of each panel, after I have 'zipped' up the sides. Because of my techniques, used to finish each woven panel, there are no warps to reweave or tie in, or even use for a fringe....(which I never suggest to do as they will stretch and move while used!). With each pass, to secure the bottom, I added a Toho Permanent Metallic Light Copper Bead, 11/0. Not only did I want to add more detail and bring out the color of the medal I used to accent, but I will use these for the fringes I am adding next.

You may notice, in all of my cell phone bags photographed on my web site, I create a separate 'epaulet' in colors to match both sides of the bag and to secure the strap. This is the most stable way to add a strap. The epaulet is sewn in multiple areas, so the strap is more anchored then if I started the strap directly from the side edge.

You will also notice the 'spring clasp' I use to attach the strap to the epaulet. This is because this portion of the strap takes the most stress of movement. This means of attaching, allows for tons of movement. Not only that, the strap can be removed using the clasps or if the strap breaks (which it won't) it can be remade much easier and reattached quickly.

You can see that both epaulets are positioned not to interfere with the pattern, but also match the colors of beads used. There have been times where I fringed the outside lines of the epaulets, or even attached a dangle at the base.

This is one side, of RR photographed in College during her days of playing basketball.

The other side is of her Dad's life in the Air Force, in particular with the 'Tuskegee Airmen'.

Notice how the strap, or beaded tubes, stones and pearls match both sides. After I complete the fringe, I'll make a matching pair of earrings.