The Mirrix Tapestry & Bead Looms Blog

I’ve been working with the Spencer treadle for the better part of this year. It’s installed on my largest Mirrix freeing the others up for more short term projects. However, more than once I’ve moved my foot around feeling for that pedal while I’m on another loom. Initially I didn’t think I needed this accessory but am finding I really love it. It easily became an automatic part of the weaving process for me.

Resources for bead weaving can be tough to come by, which is why we are SUPER excited to share that Jacqui McCloy Pell has written a book on weaving beads on a loom. This book is a great resource for any bead weaver, but focuses on how to make larger beaded pieces rather than jewelry. 

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means gift-making season is upon us! Different Mirrix accessories can help to make the weaving process faster and easier, so we're discounting our loom accessories by 15% to celebrate all of you who are planning to weave gifts for your friends and loved ones. 

I worked with Mirrix to ensure that this kit gives weavers of all levels everything they need to get started on their next project, whether it's regular weaving using the Navajo warp and heddles or my new favorite technique of Soumak knotting using the linen warp and bamboo needle. The bamboo needle can also be used for weaving without a shedding device, and for packing down weft. The kit contains a gorgeous variety of my favorite type of weft, hand-painted silk ribbon and silk yarn. The kit also comes with 14 cards of Persian Yarn in rich, bright colors, as well as some neutral shades for range and balance. The Persian Yarn is three-ply, but I love creating my own weft bundles by separating the plies and using two different colors of the yarn and some silk, which adds shine and color variation to my tapestry. The possibilities with this kit are endless, and that's one reason why I love it so much! Whether you are a new or experienced weaver, we think you'll love it, too.

It’s been a long time since I’ve woven a wide bead piece using the Mirrix shedding device. I decided it was time to try this method of bead weaving again and to write a blog post about it since we often get questions about this process. I am always telling people that the set up is more complicated, but the actual weaving of beads using a shedding device is much easier and quicker. I am happy to be reminded after weaving this piece that it really is easier!

Back in the early 90's Claudia Chase was a tapestry weaver. Her living room and office were filled with floor looms, but as an on-the-go mother, she also wanted portable looms that would produce professional-quality work. And so she tried every loom on the market and while she liked certain things about different looms, none offered everything she wanted. There were certain design features that she needed that she couldn't find in any other portable loom and she realized that she was going to have to design the perfect loom herself. Her goal was singular: Make a portable tapestry loom with all the bells and whistles that she wanted as a weaver. 

Join us for our 28th weave-along and learn to make two different tiny (5" x 2.5”) wool tapestries in one of two gorgeous colorways. One tapestry will be an abstract piece using a technique called soumak and the other will be a geometric chevron design.

Since our Shasta Combs debuted earlier this year we've had a lot of questions about the differences between the Shasta Combs and our No Warp-Ends Kit. In this post we will attempt to break down the differences.

My adventures in painting and using hand-painted silk.

The Summer Weaving Challenge that was all about seeing your surroundings.

What do you imagine when you think of autumn? Mulled apple cider and fallen leaves? Cozy sweaters and comfy boots? Pumpkin-flavored everything? For me, it marks the beginning of weaving season. There's something...

They talk about the runner’s high. I, in fact, may have experienced that at one point in my life, when I was running. We all know this. We hear this all the time. Go get high. Run! And some people do but most people do not. So much for that. I have been noticing recently that I can reach this kind of blissful state . . . when I do artwork.

A Mirrix Loom doesn't need fancy accessories to be the best portable loom on the market, but loom accessories can make your weaving experience even better. From our Harvey Loom Stand that allows you stand or sit at you loom to our brand new Shasta Combs that make warping a breeze, we have tons of ways to accessorize any size Mirrix.

To help you get your hands on whatever accessory you've been eyeing, we're offering 15% off of loom accessories all week with code accessorize at checkout.

It is through failure that an artist succeeds.

We are nine weeks in to our 2019 Summer Weaving Challenge and still have four more to go! Below is our 9th challenge and the first and only challenge we are posting publicly. Feel free to take part, even if you are not a challenge participant!