Loving Looming

Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to warp the Ricks Beading Loom. Set the loom to approximately 148mm for 52 rows of seed beads. You can also watch our video tutorial for setting up warp threads and other basics for using the loom.

Loom Basics Video

Separate the colors of the Artbeads Woodland Nymph Designer Blend. You are going to add three beads of one color to the first row, followed three beads of another color, and three beads of a third color. Each row will have nine beads. You will repeat this same color pattern for the next two rows to create three squares of color. Then, you will switch up the color pattern for the next three rows. Repeat until you reach the end of your bracelet. Please see our tutorial on adding weft thread to the loom if you run short part of the way through your project. If your each the end of your bracelet and still want to add a row or two to the pattern, see our tutorial on altering a loomed piece by hand.

Adding and Finishing Thread on a Loom Tutorial
Altering a Loomed Piece by Hand Tutorial

Now you are going to stitch leather cord around the edges of your bracelet. Fold a length of 1.5mm natural light brown round leather in half. Line up the folded end of the leather with one end of the bracelet, so that each end of the leather lines up with either side of the bracelet.

Bring your thread through the first bead on one side of your bracelet at the opposite end of the leather fold. Loop the thread around the leather and go back through the bead and up through the next bead over. Repeat for the length of the bracelet.

Once you've looped around the leather and gone back through the last bead on this side, bring your thread between the bead you just went through and the adjacent bead on the end of the bracelet. Loop around the leather a couple times, then go back through the first bead. Loop around the leather a couple times (this should be at the corner of your leather) and go back through this same bead and the next bead over. Loop around the leather a couple times and go through the third bead over. Repeat for the length of this end.

Repeat the technique from step 4 to stitch the other end of the leather to the other side of the bracelet.

Repeat the technique from step 5 to attach the ends of the leather to the end of the bracelet. Cross the ends of the leather together and loop your thread around this cross-section for the two center loops. Secure and trim your thread once the leather is all attached.

To add the Patricia Healey copper round domed spiral button, make sure your thread is coming out of the center bead on the end of your bracelet. Add the button to the thread and loop the thread back through the center bead and around the button several times. Then, loop the thread around itself for extra hold. Secure and trim your thread.

Knot the ends of the leather together about one inch away from where the thread is holding it together. Check your loop with your button and adjust the fit if necessary. Make another knot in your leather about an inch over and trim your thread.

List of Components
Artbeads Woodland Nymph Designer Blend, 8/0 TOHO Round Seed Beads (ADB0023, qty 1)
1.5mm Natural Light Brown Round Leather by the Foot (BTF-0234, qty 2)
Patricia Healey Copper Round Domed Spiral Button (BTN-208, qty 1)