Contemporary Loom Beading

Captures the many ways this traditional craft has risen to new creative heights. See how to set up a loom, follow graphed patterns, create edgings and fringes and even build a simple loom from scratch.

This book shows how to go beyond the basics of beading to create three-dimensional objects such as bowls, baskets, and figures, as well as jewelry and accessories. Full instructions for 20 projects are included. 400 illustrations, 150 in color.

Eleven simple, step-by-step projects that show you how to craft beautiful bead jewelry. It’s easy to make beautiful and elegant beaded jewelry on a loom! Modern looms make it so simple. Even if you’ve never tried bead weaving before, now’s the time to start. Bead Weaving on a Loom shows you how to use needles, thread, and beads to create your own expensive-looking jewelry in beautiful textural patterns. Eleven step-by-step projects are provided for weaving intricate beaded creations, including bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more. Inside you’ll find: Eleven step-by-step projects for weaving exquisite bead jewelry Gorgeous designs for necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and more Basic bead weaving techniques to get you started Expert advice on how to set up and warp your loom How to join ends, add fringe, sew seams, and work with findings

Focusing specifically on loom bead weaving, this book provides extensive information on building a loom, loomwork techniques, and design techniques. Beginning with a brief history of Native American and African beadwork, it also explores European bead manufacturing. Special attention is paid to Native American beadwork, including wampum and glass beads and box, bow, heddle, and Apache looms. Step-by-step instructions and illustrations are provided for the entire weaving process, including loom construction, warping, basic weaving, weaving triangles, finishing, and correcting mistakes. A section on contemporary loomwork includes 40 unique works--ranging in size from a tiny amulet bag to a wall hanging of the Boston skyline that contains 190,800 beads--by 20 different artists.

“Elegant contemporary jewelry....What artist-author Wells and her 30 colleagues conjure up in more than 30 bracelets, earrings, and necklaces is nothing short of breathtaking. All the projects can be readily mastered by beginners....One hundred percent of the fundamentals, from graphic illustrations and charts to accompanying text and great color photographs.” —Booklist.

How will the Jewel Loom inspire you? Create fun, easy beaded bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more with the versatile Jewel Loom! Jewel Loom creator Julianna Avelar fills you in on the basics of beading on a loom, then shares fifteen of her favorite Jewel Loom projects in easy-to-follow tutorials. Get creative with silk ribbon, fringe and leather cording then experiment with beads of varying colors and shapes--the jewelry projects in this book push the boundaries of traditional beading loom designs. Make something that fits your unique style! An inspiration gallery, featuring a beaded denim jacket, a fringed lampshade and more, offers ideas on how to use the Jewel Loom for more than just jewelry. So grab your loom and start beading!

Keiko's unique approach to ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, combines traditional techniques with modern tastes. Her influences—which range from sculpture to today's Western floral design—come together to create one-of-a-kind arrangements that are authentic and eye-catching, simple and graceful, and possible for anyone to achieve. This book presents step-by-step instructions for creating 20 stunning ikebana arrangements in a range of sizes and styles. Each of the flower arrangements can be completed in just three simple steps and uses easy-to-find floral materials and containers. The book also includes an introduction to the history of ikebana as it relates to Japan and Japanese culture, as well as a guide to the basic rules of ikebana design and floral techniques. Suggestions for finding and choosing materials and supplies make it easy to to learn how to arrange flowers and gain a hands-on appreciation of the art of Japanese flower arranging.

Making jewelry with cube beads requires no special training or classes. This book explains it all. With clear instructions and hundreds of color photographs, expert Virginia Jensen shows how to make stunning jewelry using many of the most popular off-loom stitches. Chapters are divided by project type, including bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, and decorative items. Beginners learn the fundamentals of many popular stitches as they create the projects, while more experienced crafters enjoy the challenge of weaving an uncommon shape into a knockout piece.