If you’ve ever admired loom-woven beading but thought it looked intimidating, you’re in for a treat!
It’s super easy to do, and you don’t even need a special loom.
This kind of bead weaving is often done with thread, but what’s even more cool is that you can weave beads on a loom with wire! This is a perfect hybrid between beading and wire weaving.
In this class I show two options for your bracelet:
- Steps for finishing with a simple twisted wire hook and loop clasp
- Or, create a bangle style bracelet with complex free form wire woven embellishments
I’ll also share tips for getting a good fit on various bracelet types.
Tools & Materials:
- 20, 24 or 22 gauge wire for warps
- 24 or 26 gauge wire for wire weaving
- Beads, see individual project lists
- Little Ricky bead loom, shallow beading tray, sturdy shoebox lid or other object to wrap the wire around to serve as a loom
- Size 10 or 11 beading needles
- Stepped bracelet mandrel
- Chain nose pliers
- Tool Magic protective coating
- Round nose pliers
- Nylon jaw pliers
- Wire cutters
- Bail making pliers
- Thread burner
- Beading awl
- Rawhide or nylon mallet
Greens cubed bracelet:
- 22 gauge coated green wire, 58 inches required for 4 warps
- 4 mm cube beads:
- Frosted Rainbow Black
- Transparent Frosted Rainbow Green
- Transparent Frosted Rainbow Lime
- Black silk thread, size FF
Autumn Shades hook closure bracelet:
- 24 gauge antique copper wire, 2 yards required for for warps
- Beads: (all from DollarBeadBox.com unless other link is given)
- 6 x 8 mm Czech glass twisted rondelle, Amber
- 6 x 8 mm Czech glass squishy saucer, Peach Rainbow Iris
- 6 x 8 mm Czech glass faceted rondelle, Siam AB
- Black silk thread, size FF
An Ocean of Blues cuff bracelet:
- 20 gauge silver craft wire, 2 1/2 yards for five warps
- Wildfire beading thread, white
- Beads: all from DollarBeadBox.com
- 5 mm Czech fire polish, Turquoise Silver Travertine
- 6 mm Czech fire polish, Matte Silver
- 6 mm Czech glass druk, Peridot
- 6 mm Czech glass ribbed round, Crystal Aqua Gold
- 6 mm Czech glass pearl, Matte Satin White
- 6 mm Czech glass pearl, Mint Tea
- 6 mm Czech glass faceted round, White Shimmer
- Small beads to accent wire weaving such as:
- 3mm Czech glass pearl, Mint Tea
- 2mm Czech glass pearl, White
- 3 mm Czech fire polish, Pearlized White
- 3 mm Czech fire polish, Matte Teal
- Four metal spacer beads with holes large enough to accommodate two 20 gauge wires
- 1 1/8 x 1 1/4” rectangular pendant for focal wire weaving, or any focal piece of your choice (see video for more ideas)
Copper Fantasy cuff bracelet:
- 20 gauge Vintaj antique copper wire
- 24 or 26 gauge Vintaj antique copper wire
- Wildfire Beading thread, black
- Beads: (all from DollarBeadBox.com unless other link is given)
- 4mm Czech fire polish,Crystal Vintage Olive Silver Luster
- 4mm Czech fire polish, Opaque White Rose Copper Luster
- 4mm Czech fire polish, Jet Speckled Bronze Luster
- 4mm Czech fire polish, Jet Vintage Copper Luster
- Small beads to accent wire weaving such as
- 3 mm Czech fire polish, Matte Topaz
- 3 mm Czech fire polish, Topaz Crystal Copper
- 3 mm Czech fire polish, Fern Green Half Copper
- 2 mm Multi Gemstone Faceted Rounds
- Four metal spacer beads with holes large enough to accommodate two 20 gauge wires
- 1 1/2 inch pendant for focal wire weaving, or any focal piece of your choice (see video for more ideas)
For more info on techniques shown in the video:
- The Basics of Bead Weaving On A Beading Loom
- How to use a thread burner (6 Things NOT To Do with Thread Burners)
- Woven Silk and Bead Bracelets
- Bracelet Sizing: How to Get the Perfect Fit
- Basket Weave Wire Centerpiece-use similar techniques to make wire woven pendants Yvonne Williams dragon eye bracelet
- Jewelry Making 101 playlist
- Jewelry Tools You Need Playlist
- Wire Working Essentials playlist
- Wire Weaving Patterns
Enjoy the video, happy creating!
Watch the How To Bead Weave With WIRE On A Loom video on YouTube.