Events, Uncategorized
The Automatic Mirrix
Introducing a NEW Mirrix Loom: The Automatic Mirrix.
Plug it in and this new Mirrix runs completely on its own! All you need to do is send your design to the loom, ready the supplies and the Automatic Mirrix will do the rest!
No More:
-Sitting for hours in front of your loom
-Warping
-Weaving
-Picking up those tiny beads
-Having to learn tapestry techniques
Make anything from beaded bracelets to beautiful tapestries with the click of a button!
Inspiration
Goodbye Old Year: Our Most Popular Posts of 2014
In Ukraine, where my husband is from, on New Year’s Eve they say “dasvidaniya staree goad” which means “goodbye old year”. I like the concept of bidding farewell to the old year while welcoming in the new year.
In the spirit of this ritual, here are five of our most popular posts from 2014. It was a wonderful year here at Mirrix Looms but we can’t wait to see what 2015 brings!
How Easy Is It Too Weave Beads on a Loom? by Elena Zuyok
Color Theory For Beadwork by Claudia Chase
New iPhone? Weave This Case by Claudia Chase
Tapestry Vs. Rigid Heddles Vs. Jack Looms by Claudia Chase
Tapestry: Painting With Fiber by Claudia Chase
Tapestry Weaving
To shed or not to shed
Sometimes you just want to weave slowly, picking warp threads with a needle as you go. For very thin pieces, this works just fine. It can be very meditative.
But most of the time, when weaving tapestry, picking each warp as you go can get tedious and very time consuming, especially with wider pieces. For this reason, even the very first Mirrix Loom was designed with a shedding device. The word “shedding device” is derived from the word “shed” which means the space between lowered and raised warps. It raises the threads for you so rather than have to weave under and over warp threads with a needle, you can simply engage the shedding device and raise every other thread all at once. The shedding device is attached to the warp threads with heddles, which wrap around the individual warp threads and are hooked onto one of the two bars on the shedding device.
Bead Weaving, Uncategorized
Wrapped Leather and Bead Bracelets
This beautiful (and free!) wrap leather and bead bracelet tutorial is by Kim Holowatiuk
Sleepy Holow Leather & Custom Beading
www.sleepyholowcustomleather.com
Kim Holowatiuk is owner of Sleepy Holow Leather & Custom Beading in Alberta Canada. She has been making custom hand carved and stamped leather work since 2009 and has enjoyed beading for about 30 years.
Supplies:
Mirrix Loom (I used my Lani)
Round leather cord 1.5-2 mm
Button
Variety of beads – I used 8/0, 11/0 and 4 mm rounds
#12 Beading needle
C-Lon Thread in color of your choice
Two fishing weights 1 ounce
Supplies
Depending if you would like a single, double, triple (etc.) wrap, measure the leather cord around your wrist for an approximate length measurement. Add on some extra length for both the double loop closure and the addition of the button. For a double wrap, I start by cutting a strand of the round leather to about 30”.
With your leather cord folded in half, create a knot closure at that end (Pic 2). Make sure that you make it large enough for the button closure to slip through but not too big that it falls out. I make a second knot/loop (Pic 2a) so there are two sizes to close the bracelet. This step is optional.
Next, slide the top loop through your warping bar (Pic 2b)
Attach each fishing weight to the ends of each strand with a single knot. (Pic 3)
Attach your warping bar and move your side bars up until the weights are just below your bottom bar (Pic 3a). If you have a bottom spring kit, you can slide the leather cord into a dent (Pic 3b)
Doubling your thread, bring it around one leather strand (Pic 4). Bring your needle back through the thread so you have a starting “knot” on the first cord (Pic 4a) and then weave back and forth through the leather strands to create a solid piece of woven thread for extra strength (Pic 4b).
Now you are ready to weave your beads on. Depending on how wide you want to make it, always start narrow and work you way to the desired width, adding one extra bead each row. Here I started with one 11/0 bead (Pic 5), then two (Pic 5a) worked my way up to three beads, the width I want. (Pic 5b).
Continue on bead weaving with your beads until you come down to the end of the piece. Finish with the same thread weaving as you started and weave back through the beads to finish and hide your ends (Pic 6).
Remove the weights from the bottom and attach your button (Pic 7 and 7a) to one or both of the leather cords (depending on how large of a button hole you have). Make a knot and glue ends. Ta Da! Your very own leather wrapped bracelet! (Pic 7b). Try it with suede (Pic 7c)or a single wrap (Pic 7d)!
Inspiration
What’s your Mirrix Story?
Have you started a business selling work you made on a Mirrix? Has your Mirrix allowed you to weave when other looms couldn’t due to an injury or disability? Did you realize your artistic talent for the first time when weaving on your Mirrix? Did you teach a young person in your life to weave and ignite a new passion?
We are looking for inspirational Mirrix stories for a blog and email series. If you have a story to share, we’d love to hear it.
Email elena@mirrixlooms.com to learn more!
Bead Weaving
Is your next craft addiction weaving beads on a loom?
You know it’s out there… your next craft addiction. It might just be weaving beads on a loom. Why? Well, first of all, it’s fun. And second, the possibilities are pretty much endless. Third? It’s a lot easier than you think!
From simple bracelets to large beaded tapestries, a loom brings you the ability to make many different types of exciting projects. On a Mirrix, you can even weave wire, fiber or combine materials. The versatility is what makes a Mirrix such a great craft investment. We believe that the best craft supplies make the best pieces, and the happiest artists. Once you invest in a Mirrix, it will give you a lifetime of weaving enjoyment.
We have a brand new ebook available to download that goes over all the basics of weaving beads.
You’ll learn:
- The basics of set-up, warping and weaving beads
- About different bead weaving methods
- All about Mirrix accessories
- And more!
Click below to download the free ebook !
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Contests, Events
Cyber Monday Share for a Deal
Share this link and image by email or on social media (Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest).
Then, email us (elena@mirrixlooms.com) and tell us that you did (make sure to include your full name and email address).
When you do, you’ll get a free gift included in your Cyber Monday Mirrix Order!
Events, Uncategorized
New Loom Options!
Three of our looms, the 8″ Lani Loom, 12″ Little Guy Loom and 16″ Big Sister will now come two ways. The first way: WITH the shedding device and the second way: WITHOUT the shedding device. That’s that. The price will be reflected in whether or not you get the shedding device and, if you do decide not to, a shedding device can always be purchased separately.
Little Guy Loom Without Shedding Device
Big Sister Loom Without Shedding Device
The 12″ Little Guy Loom without a shedding device will now be sold for $225.00 and the 16″ Big Sister Loom without a shedding device will be sold for $250.00.
Please note that previously we were offering these looms without a shedding device but WITH a bottom spring kit at the same price. This option is no longer available, but the bottom spring kits can be purchased seperately.