An antique necklace with open bead strands incorporated is discussed and information is provided as to how it was made. Next you get right into the meat of making a loom, what thread, beads, needles and other materials are required. The intricacies of warping a bead loom and how to begin weaving is next. Basic steps of weaving with beads are included; increasing, decreasing, adding new weft thread and preparing the woven edges of the finished piece so the beads do not fall off.

Don talks about designing and advanced techniques. The Art Deco necklace on page 43 is a superb example using some of these techniques. The how-to of making curves and angles in a design are explained along with graphs. Don discusses how to weave split loom straps, adjust lengths and plan for neck sizes. There are several full color pages of Don’s work as examples of advanced techniques. The draping effect on Golden Drape, page 50, is an intriguing design that is not difficult to create once you know the technique secrets. The title Hairy Chest for the necklace on page 54 does not give you a clue as to the finish of this exotic necklace. His Fire and Ice on page 56 shows you the possibilities of three dimensional surface when weaving on a bead loom.

There are several pages of illustrations explaining such topics as open weave, folding and layering, using beads on the warp, mixing bead sizes and four selvage loomwork.

There is a brief description of John Lotter’s looms and his use of heddles and Kathy Dannerbeck and Donna Kaplan’s techniques of bead weaving for warp and weft on multiple shaft looms.

Step-by-step instructions are provided for bead loom weaving techniques, however, there are no projects included. Beading On A Loom is your guide to techniques and the how-to of it. It is left up to you to create and make up your own designs. Those new to bead loom weaving may have assumed that at least one necklace project created by Don would be included to help them get started. I think it would have been a real plus for beginners.

There is an extensive gallery of contemporary loomwork created by bead loom weaving artists. The work shown on these pages are indicative of how expansive and diverse bead loom weaving can be in shape, style and topic. The work of each artist is unique. Here is inspiration to go back to again and again.