Open box series: Native American Bead Loom

When we put together the first FunLab toy catalog over two years ago, we inserted the ALEX toys Native American Beed Loom. I have to admit that this item brought back all sorts of nostalgic memories for me because it was a craft activity that I had done as a child:) However, not too long ago a Mom brought back a Native American Bead Loom that she had purchased from us complaining that it was way to complicated for her 8 year old daughter. Panic! Had my nostalgic memories blocked me from seeing the limitations of this craft kit? Obviously, it was time for an Open Box Toy Review of the item.

After looking at the components for the kit and trying it out I realized that the only real complicated part for a 8 year old might have been the instructions which were a bit confusing with all the different languages being mixed together. I decided that what the kit needed was a tutorial to recommend to clients in the case of difficulty….

Kit components:
Loom frame
Thread
Beads
Needle
Threader

Thread the loom: Technically speaking this is the most complicated part of creating a beaded project.
Step 1: Decide how many beads wide you want your bracelet to be. For example, I used 11 beads which means that I cut 12 lengths of the string. I cut the string a little bit longer than the length of the loom.
Step 2: Tie a knot at both ends of the strings. Divide the strings in half and hook over the screw on the wooden dowels located at the two ends of the loom.

Step 3: Carefully thread the individual string lengths in the grooves of the loom. Turn the wooden dowel to tighten the tension of the threads.

Beading your project: Easy and fun! Start with a simple design so that you get the hang of it and then go crazy with the colorful seed beads.

Step 1: Cut out a long length of string and thread onto the needle.

Step 2: Attach the beading thread to the first thread of the loom by tying a knot.

Step 3: Weave the thread back and forth going over and under the loom threads three or four times (this will help keep your beads in order).

Step 4: YOU ARE READY TO BEAD! Thread the first row of beads.

Step 5: Pass the beads under the loom threads.
Step 6: Gently use a finger on your left hand to push the beads between the threads on the loom.

Step 7: Pass the needle through the hole in the beads moving from right to left (over the loom threads).

Step 8: Keep going until the design is complete.
Step 9: Repeat step 3 weaving the thread back and forth across the loom.

YOU ARE DONE! The fun craft project from my memory is a blast! Come see how we will use our beaded creation in our next post!

Alison