How to Build a Homemade Bead Loom Out of Cardboard

A cardboard box and a comb provide the essentials for creating a homemade cardboard bead loom. A sturdy cardboard box, such as a shoe box, prevents the bead loom from bowing during the beading process. The length of the bead loom is determined by the size of the box.

Things You'll Need

• Shoe box
• Ruler
• Pencil
• 2 fine-toothed combs approximately 8 inches long
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• 2 T-pins
• Beading string

Instructions

1. Place the shoe box on a flat work surface. Flip the shoe box over so the opening is on the bottom.

2. Measure and place a mark on the shoe box, along the long edge, 2 inches from the left-hand corner.

3. Turn the shoe box so the opposite side is facing you. Measure and place a mark on the shoe box 2 inches from the right-hand corner.

4. Turn the comb so the teeth are pointing straight up. Line the edge of the comb up with the mark on the shoe box placing the teeth approximately one-half-inch above the top surface.

5. Secure the comb in place with a 10-inch piece of duct tape.

6. Turn the shoe box so the opposite side is facing you. Position the second comb by the mark. Secure the comb to the shoe box with duct tape.

7. Center and place a T-pin directly under each comb. The T-pin is used to hold the warp string of the loom.

8. Weave the warp string through the teeth of the comb.

9. Wrap the warp string around the T-pins to secure in place.