Everything Old is New Again…Plus Another Tip!

As I tackle the second No Warp Ends project in this Craftsy course, I am reminded of the first bead weaving I did many years ago. Back in the late Sixties and early Seventies, many young girls were obsessed with making simple little necklaces, bracelets and even rings using what we then called Indian seed beads. For years I kept my “Navajo Bead Loom” in its original box but of course, as I awaited the arrival of my new Mirrix, I naturally could not find the old loom. Since they are still widely available and cost next to nothing, I purchased a new one. I felt thirteen years old again!

 

This no warp ends project uses a simple charted design much like my Sixties weavings did. Who would have thought that my crafting life would come full circle as it has? (If someone had told me back then that nearly forty years later I would again be making seed bead jewelry...) Fortunately though, someone had the vision to improve upon the original primitive bead weaving loom. I can tell you that it sure is a whole lot faster and more enjoyable using a Mirrix.

Like Claudia, I have a real problem following these simple little charts. I don't know why but if there's a mistake to be made, I'll make it. Of course, this involves a fair amount of UN-weaving so my progress is a little slower than I'd like... and alot more tedious. However, I persevere.

 

 

 

By the way, I have another tip for you. Although many of you may use bead mats, I have another idea for easy beading for when you’re not sitting at a table or otherwise on the go. I cannot take credit for this. I learned it while attending a sewing workshop with Natalie Chanin, the brilliant hand-sewn clothing designer for Alabama Chanin. (www.alabamachanin.com). Her artisans have created a "beading cuff" from a cast off cotton jersey sleeve. By applying heavy duty double-faced tape to it, tiny beads easily stick to it. Voila, beads right at your fingertip just when and where you want them. Easy, cheap and up-cycled, what could be better?

 

 

 

 

 

Try it and let me know how it works out for you.

And Happy Labor Day!

xxx, Karen