Off Loom Bead Weaving…wow…where can I start and where can I stop. Off Loom Bead Weaving is a century old art. You can visit museums across the world and find every art of bead weaving. I fell in love with off loom bead weaving because the projects are unending.
When we speak about bead weaving we think of the loom. The American Indians have ornate bead looms, which are hand made and beautifully decorated. Loom bead weaving makes for a firmer piece, which you use for a belt or such objects. Off Loom Bead weaving on the other hand is softer, more delicate can form on an object or hand with delight. With off loom bead weaving you can create jewelry, handbags, bowls, and baskets, three dimensional figures and you can cover just about anything that will stand still long enough to be beaded.
Beads are mentioned and used so much in history. In Shakespeare’s Richard II as quote that I love is: "I’ll give my jewels for a set of beads” and believe me I have and probably will in the future too. Earlier in America the American Indian’s traded turquoise for glass beads that looked like turquoise. The saw the magic in these small pieces of art. Rich colors make the glass beads unique. Off loom bead weaving offers the glass bead a venue to present their magic, their sparkle, shine and create a warm feeling in the room.
Pictured is a Chardonnay Recycled Wine Bottle Lampwork Pendant and a Vintage Glass European Button clustered with Off Loom Bead Weaving. You will find this piece under Rowena's Jewelry at: www.rowenaart.net/store
Also, don't forget the 4th Friday Arts Walk here in Prescott this week. Drop by Arts Prescott, 134 S. Montezuma St. - Heart of Whiskey Row to pick up your Art Walk Guild or go to: http://www.artthe4th.com/ and print out your guild.