How to Make a Simple Bead Loom
With a bead loom, you can create wall hangings to jewelry. To get you started, you can make a simple bead loom using cardboard as your frame. Then you simply wrap your loom with thread or beading wire and craft your bead loom creations. The inexpensive nature of this type of loom means that if you wear it out you can make a new one without spending a lot of money.
Things You'll Need
- Heavy corrugated cardboard
- Ruler
- Craft knife
- Wood glue
- Thumb tacks (4)
- 1/2-inch screws (2)
Instructions
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1
Cut a length of corrugated cardboard in to a rectangle 8 inches wide and 18 inches long.
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2
Cut the corners off of your cardboard. The corners should be made at about 2 inches into each short side and 3 inches into each long side. Now you should have a central rectangular shape with the corners cut off.
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3
Beginning at one short end, measure 3 inches in and score the cardboard horizontally across this point. To score the cardboard, use your craft knife to cut a slit halfway through the cardboard. This score will let your end flaps fold up to make a box shape; repeat this step on the opposite short side.
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4
Score your side flaps. Measure 2 inches in from each long edge and score along that line. Do this for both sides, then fold your four flaps up to make a small, open-topped box.
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5
Apply wood glue between the flap edges to hold them together. Push a pin through the outside short edge into the long flap to hold it in place. Repeat this for the other corners of your box.
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6
Cut notches along the top edge of each short flap. The notches should be spaced 3/16 inches apart and be 1/2 inch deep. Line them up so that the notches on one flap are in the same place as the notches on the opposite flap. You will use these notches to tie your warp thread to the loom.
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7
Using the screw, poke a hole that is 1.25 inches below the center of the slits on one short end. Screw the screw into this hole and leave approximately 1/8 inch of the screw shank showing. Repeat on the other short end of the box. This will help you anchor your thread when you wrap the loom.
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Tips & Warnings
For a sturdier loom, use the same dimensions but cut your loom out of wood instead of cardboard.
References
- Photo Credit bead door image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
