I absolutely fell in love with the project, "loominosity" on pages 48 - 51 by Naomi Sakuma. 

Did you make your own looms specifically for this project? I have a loom that's long in length but very narrow in width... I also have Don Pierce's "Larry IV Loom" which I have not had the luxury of using yet. I'm HOPING in all hopes it'll be a good loom to use for this project.  

There are a couple of questions that I have per this project... The colour of the bugle beads shown on page 48 looks like its gold. Now the bugle beads shown in figure A & B boxes show it's cream or off-white in colour.

Can you find out precisely what colour or just what the number is for the bugle beads so that I can keep all of the colours in sync with the rest of the project for the first time. I want to make this project just as instructed, colours and all (except for the lantern frame) for the first time. Once I am comfortable with the lantern and know what to expect, I most likely will change it in terms of design & colours. This is such a very gorgeous beaded lantern! I'm just so THRILLED BB *finally* added non-jewelry item and especially a loomweaving project. I was getting real bored with the projects because not everyone is into jewelry. It's nice to have non-jewelry... so this is just perfect!

The next question I have is in the materials box it states two 4-6mm round beads are needed... it doesn't state what this is for... I'm thinking it's for the dragonfly eyes. I went over the "Dragonfly" instructions and don't see anything about 4-6mm round beads.

Number 2 in Loom Setup states to "Attach a needle to the end of the 4-yd. threads. Colour me clueless.... I have no earthly idea what that means! I understand for the first part... a 'loop' is needed for the center of whatever kind of loom you have... I don't quite understand the loop though...  I'm thinking here... as far as the 'needle' is concerned... do I understand this correctly?... stick a needle where all of the warp threads are but only stick the needle so that you get 'two' warp threads together so you can slide a single bugle bead using two warp threads? Is that what this means?

I'm also having a hard time understanding "Wrap the thread around the pin on this side of the loom, place the thread in the second slot of the warp guide, and sew back through the bugles. Place the thread in the second slot of the warp guide on the first side, and wrap the thread around the first pin. Repeat for a second set of warp threads. Tie the thread to the pin. (figure 1). I don't see any pin... I'm so totally lost...  Can someone PLEASE explain this as if a first grader is going to make this... I'm that lost! 

Figure 1, then photo A & B confuse  me... Figure one... oh.... I'm talking to myself here now....
First BEFORE I actually start using the seed beads as shown in pictures A & B... I must FIRST add the BUGLE BEADS two warp threads top and then bottom... when that's completed... I then start weaving in the Delicas... right? Seriously this isn't funny right now... I'm just frustrated I cannot understand this... I should be able to understand this! I love looming! Love it! I of course detest the end part... ugh! At least the final product is what its all about!

If I understand that I have to slide the bugle bead on two warp thread top and bottom... all the way across.... what do I do with the ahh.... Delicas? Aren't they beaded on a SINGLE warp thread? Once the bugle beads are thrown on.... then I can begin to ..... actually... I just looked at photo A & B.... I notice the warp threads are very different.... in Photo A... the warp threads are wider and thicker of course because of one bugle bead for TWO warp threads.... however in Photo B the ahh... warp threads is very neat and looks just like loomed warp threads... OK... I think this is what I am not understanding in the Loom setup 2 through 3 instructions.

I have always had struggles with BB instructions... I have no problems with Beadwork and SBS magazine instructions... The instructions on BB magazines are heavily edited from what I've learned over the years. They are heavily edited purely to save space which is sad but... there's nothing a single person can do... I'm just ONE person... if BB gathers the knowledge that instructions are not quite so easy to understand... perhaps they'll do something about that... add more photos? Show more close-up photo? (You get my drift)....

Which season are the two panels in this very specific pattern? I don't want to have to buy Delicas I don't need at the time being... the one with the dragonfly indicates 'summer' to me... I was hoping to see a lot of cherry blossoms for the spring but don't see that... I guess the left panel with the larger portion of the sun is spring because if you look to the left of the sun you'll see a very small portion of twig with red buds on a blue background... that indicates 'spring' to me...

I was floored to learn the lantern frame was $140.00....   ouch! I wonder if it's personally handmade by a friend of Naomi's or if it's from a frame company... but still... it's a bit pricey and I will say off the charts. It just is....

Oh! speaking of interfacing... it's not something I'm familiar with... is it like the 'bondable' stuff that you iron on to protect the original layer of the work? I'm trying to figure out just what interfacing is... I thought why not use silk or you know the usual lining that's used for curtains? Perhaps I'm overlooking something that I don't know.... but please, please educate me.

 I thank you most kindly for your time & patience with all of this! I cannot even tell you just how anxious I am to get to work on this project! I also LOVE Alghren's work... (I think that's her last name) It's so late now that I'm thinking way off t he top of my head! Way off! She's the gal that does stunning work with gorgeous wires... she does what looks like 'basket looming'... I don't call it a basket though... it's just stunning... I am very, very anxious to learn how to do something like that. But I don't think she teaches anyone that. I think that's something she keeps very close to heart. She was inspired to do the work she does would you believe by the wire-set up of her old jaguar or porche... I can't remember right now which one it was... but isn't that something?!!! Incredible!

Thank you BB for seriously putting in a project that's finally not 'jewelry'... Thank you for being so patient with this lengthy letter that has to do with the gorgeous project "Loominosity" beaded lantern in BeadandButton June 2008, Issue 85 and on pages 48 - 51. I sincerely look forward to all the help I can get.... Gotta get this swiss cheesed brain of mine set clear for once and for all.
 

Freespirit 

Hello Freespirit!

I am going to try to answer all of your questions about Loominosity. I am glad to hear how excited you are to work on this project, and how much you love looming. 

I used two different types of looms to make the panels, and Larry the Loom was one of them. The loom just has to be wide enough to string 116 warp threads, and at least 24 inches long. This way you will have enough space on each end of the panel to have extra warp threads to attach the panel to the frame.

 
The bugle beads are called silver-lined gold. They just look like a different color in the photo due to the lighting. You will need to get Naomi's list on this web site under the Magazines tab, Resource Guide, if you want the exact colors she used. She used a mix of Tohos and Delicas. I used all Delicas to make it easier for the readers to order, trying my best to adhere to the color chart Naomi provided.

The 4–6mm beads are for the Dragonfly's eyes. They are shown in the pattern referred to in step 1.
 

When you begin to warp the loom, you will be working with 8-yard lengths of thread. To make it easier to work with, if you make a loop in the middle of this length, you will only have to wrestle with 4 yards instead of 8. Believe me, I tried to work this with longer lengths, and all I got was a tangled mess. On your loom, there should be a hook, screw, or some sort of pin to tie your warp thread to. The warp guide is a coil or spring-looking thing that holds the threads perfectly spaced.

 
When you begin warping, the first 4 yards will become the first four warp threads. You'll make a loop in the middle of the 8 yards. If you're using Larry the Loom, attach that loop to the first screw at the top end of the loom. Set aside one of the 4-yard threads, and put a needle on the end of the other 4 yards. Start by putting the thread in the first space on the coil at the top of the  loom. Pick up two bugles with the needle and slide them up to the coil at the top of the loom. Put the thread in the first space on the coil at the bottom of the loom. Now you will have to wrap the thread around the hook, screw or pin at the bottom of the loom. (If you are using Larry the Loom, there are three screws on the top and bottom of the loom.)

Next, put the thread through the second space on the coil at the bottom of the loom, sew through the two bugles that are on the first warp thread, and put the thread through the second space on the coil at the top of the loom. Repeat to make a second set of warp threads. You can only get two sets of warp threads out of 4 yards lengths of thread. Depending on the size of the loom, you may have to start with a piece longer than 8 yards. You will know this after your first two sets of warp threads are completed.

Since you are adding the bugles when you are warping the loom, you will have to slide them out of the way (to the bottom of the loom) when you start the first few rows of loomwork. Photo A shows the first 23 rows of the panel, then I slid the first bugles that are already on the warp threads up to the loomwork. After the entire center of the panel is loomed, slide the second bugles that are remaining on the warp threads up to the loomwork. Then complete the rest of the panel.

Bead&Button tries to present a range of projects for our readers, we do edit instructions provided by contributors, but not purely for space. If there you are stuck, you can always contact our staff. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about articles in the magazine or online.

All four seasons are contained within the two panels in this issue. Spring is at the top, winter is in the center, autumn is at the bottom of the first panel, and summer is in the center of the second panel. The sun is in both panels, and the border intersects both panels, and runs along the top and bottom.

The frames are handmade upon order in Japan.

 Interfacing is usually used in sewing, and is used to protect the panels from the direct light of the bulb. You do not have to use it, or you could use another type of lining, we just listed what Naomi used.

 I hope this information helps to get you started. If you have further questions, post them here or contact us at editor@beadandbutton.com.


 

 Hi Anna,

Thanks SO MUCH for responding to my email.... I thought after a couple of days maybe there wouldn't be any responses... so I'm quite thrilled to hear from you.  

I will reply to your email after I have read it a few more times... There were some things you mentioned that went 'phew' right over my head.... so I'll take some more time and hopefully what you've assisted me with will start to click in and make a lot more sense to me. 

The lantern that's featured in the magazine was  made by you or was that made by Naomi? Either way, it's truly lovely! When you did the lantern yourself, how long did it take you to work on it, from start to finish? Do the staff at BB have all of the items readily available so the 'team' can start to test it from start to finish? I would be interested in knowing if the staff experienced any obstacles when making this lantern. I would also be interested in knowing how long it took for whomever made the lantern how long it took them to do from start to finish. If you did it in under a few days... then I'll just pretend I didn't read that properly. I imagine the staff members truly have absolutely no choice whatsoever but to do the project they are assigned to do to check for accuracy, and whatnot...  BTW, I didn't even give it a thought that loomers could use more than a specific type of bead.... It was very interesting when you said Naomi used Toho's and Delica's. Toho's are quite lovely and a very lovely rounded bead. Delicas are nice but very 'cylinder'... I wonder if Naomi used the 'new' Japanese beading thread? I have been debating over the use of thread because of the weight.... I have a few  of the Japanese threads and have not yet used them... I think using Nymo B would not give the lantern panel a 'firm' looking panel.... I  was thinking of using fireline only because it's a very firm, taut piece of 'thread'... I certainly would be crushed if a few years from now the panels started to show some slacking because of the type used. Was this something the staff had considered? I'm curious how the staff decides who does what projects or if it's a surprise... a piece of paper with someone's name on it and whatever comes out, that staff member does such and such project that may be published.... It would just be interesting to know how the staff goes about this... There's not a single doubt in my mind that the staff and the artist as well always think of the stability of the item long after it's completed...  for instance.... how long is the item going to be popular for... if it's going to be a temporary trend... etc...

I went to Magazines tab and then found resource guide and could NOT find anything about the lantern by Naomi at all. I just saw a bunch of 'gibberish' language that made no sense to me... Maybe I'm doing something wrong.... or maybe there's a glitch in the program. I wouldn't have any clue since technology is not my thing. All that matters is that I can turn on my computer, log in, download emails, go to websites and that's basically it. I just don't to the techno stuff.... not this one! But regardless, What I received was: (This is what I clicked in Resource Guide after clicking Magazine.) I'm going to copy then paste. I kept getting this non stop and thought maybe there just  might be a glitch because it doesn't seem to end.... I've checked the  and it comes up the same each time. ~ Freespirit

Thanks for replying, Freespirit!

Naomi's loom is pictured, but I didn't have it while I was working on this article. We are excited to announce that Naomi will allow us to display her lantern at the Bead&Button Show this year. 

I worked on  the construction of the lantern, and to make one panel it took approximately 45 hours. That was to warp and work the beaded panels. So for four panels, plus all of the embellishment work, and attaching it to the frame I would estimate it would take about 200 hours at least. I would not recommend this as a learning project. I would suggest making a smaller, less expensive project to get started looming.

I had stated before that Naomi used Toho's, but I should have clarified that she used Toho Treasures and Aikos, which are the same cylindrical shape as Delicas.  Sorry to confuse you on that. 

Here is an online project designed by Naomi Sakuma, who also designed the lantern:
http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb/default.aspx?c=a=2531 <http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb/default.aspx?c=a&id=2531> .

Also, you can use
any of the Patterns in our Patterns section on a loom.

To learn about how we select projects, see our submissions page:
http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb/default.aspx?c=a=204 <http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb/default.aspx?c=a&id=204> .

Hello,

 You asked what type of loom was used on the loominosity project.  I do not know what loom she used, but I get my looms through BEAD&BEAD listed on eBay listed under bead looms.  I have had great success with them and there are a variety of sizes.

 I too love this project.  It is so beautiful.  Maybe I'll get to it when I retire, that took a lot of hours.

 connieb

]Hello

Just read the loominosity questions.  I too really liked the lantern and had thought of giving it a try.  The problem, for me, is I have never used a loom.  My Question....would it be possible to make this project without a loom? 

There have been other smaller loom projects that I have used a peyote  (i think it was peyote) stitch.  Wonder if it it would be possible with this.

Thanks

mj

If you have the patience, anything is possible! Square stitch produces the same result when it comes to following a pattern for the loom, but I would imagine it would take much longer to complete. If you want to give loomwork a try, I would start with a smaller project start before tackling this one.
 

Anna, my husband and I are finishing a loominosity panel.  We're both new to looming, but we've met the challenge, learned a lot, have more to learn.  :-)  Anyhow, we're ready to remove the panel from the loom so that we can attach the interfacing and do the thread embroidery / embellishment.  Is there anything special we should do to make sure the ends are secure and that we do not cause a problem as we do the embellishment?  Any suggestions are appreciated.  Thanks.