Samples by: Janice Parsons and Karen Marshall

Inspired by Tricks to Looming and Bead Weaving by Sam Applegate

One of the miracles of a woven tapestry is how all the individual threads in so many different colors and textures can come together so naturally to form one harmonious work of art. And so it goes with this project; let your bead selection be inspired by a color you love or allow yourself the freedom to bring together colors you might not always think “go” together. Allow the process of bead weaving to bring out your creativity.

In Tapestry, Janice and Karen use the techniques Sam teaches us in the Tricks to Looming and Bead Weaving, but incorporate a variety of beads instead of traditional weaving which uses all one size, like size 8/0’s. By substituting heavier cords, assorted bead sizes/shapes and a box clasp, the project takes on a new look. “We all love what Sam did, but we were ready for an update. We hope Tapestry is a gateway to stimulating your imagination and that Sam’s video opens the world of looming to you the way it did for us.

Please watch Sam’s Video first to learn how to set up a loom using a design board and how to weave beads. Then, download the handout (the download button is below the photograph). The handout adapts the techniques to the Tapestry Project which uses heavier cord, assorted bead shapes and sizes and demonstrates how to add a box clasp.