Gallery of Loomed Beadwork (2)
All of these pieces were hand-woven on a loom with glass seed beads called delicas. Delicas are specially-made, machine-cut Japanese beads. About 20 of these small beads end-to-end measure one inch. The clasps and findings are sterling silver, unless otherwise noted.
Diamond Spectrum Loomwork
The loomwork in this website's header is a portion of the Diamond Spectrum design. I saw a design with a similar color schematic stitched onto a large textile in a book about American Indian art. I changed the design to incorporate a more balanced geometry with a diamond flanked by two triangular crosses.
Kata Grid Bracelet
Kata Grid is named for my cousin who quickly picked up the bead craft after a short tutorial. She, a bit more quantitative than I am, freehand wove a similar design in earth tones (light greens and blues against rich browns). I really liked what she did so I tried to remember her method. I'm pretty sure I came close.
Choosing five colors which work in harmony together, particularly in a grid pattern is challenging so I opted for two different finishes of blue and two different finishes of white against, again, a rich brown background. At ten rows wide, Kata Grid is thinner than I usually weave and makes for a quick loomwork project.
Spiraling Bracelet
Spiraling Bracelet is one of the first pieces my sister Lizzy wove after I taught her the craft. I tried to dissuade her due to the complicated width of the design at 19 rows wide but she pressed on with impressive success. The Spiraling Bracelet features an excellent interplay of colors which is demonstrated here with metallic blues and greens framed against a simple opaque white.
Lizzy favors omitting the structure-giving braided stainless steel wires for the outer warps for a more carefree free-hanging piece.
