At this point in the new loom beading series we've covered many of the most basic loomwork topics. Here's a brief recap to help you stay organized.

• Learn about the types of beading looms. You only need the most simple wire frame loom to get started.

• Learn about the parts of a beading loom. This list helps you become familiar with terminology that reappears throughout the loomwork tutorials.

• Warp a loom using the no-wind method. This is the simplest method for warping a beading loom. Use it when your beadwork is relatively short (such as an amulet bag panel) or when you plan to use the selvage method of finishing off.

• Learn how to weave beads on a simple loom. This is the most common method for stitching beads, one row at a time, on a beading loom. You string beads, hold them in place, then stitch back through them with your beading needle.

• Warp a loom using the winding method. Use this method for longer beadwork, or for bracelets when you want to use the weaving-in method of finishing off (which we'll cover next week).

• Winding beadwork on your loom. Learn how to "wind on" while beading.

• How to read a loom beading pattern. Learn the trick to reading a loom beading pattern chart, and then test your skills by weaving the free Moroccan Coral Bracelet pattern.

Later we'll explore some of the coveted "no warps" methods of finishing off, and we'll even dabble in beading on a fancy upright loom. Be sure to subscribe to the Beadwork Newsletter for updates.

In the meantime, share your questions or experiences with loomwork in the Beadwork forum. And if you're an experienced loom beader, take a few minutes to share your tips and advice with beginners.

Lark Books is pretty amazing when it comes to sharing sample tutorials from its best books - for free! They're currently offering two PDFs that I think you'll be especially interested in.

The first is from Sabine's Lippert's Beaded Fantasies. It's an elaborate, bejeweled necklace with the look of set stones. Download it from the Lark Crafts Beaded Fantasies blog post.

The second is from Japanese Beadwork with Sonoko Nozue. This one is a gorgeous, streamlined beaded bezel. Dowload it from the Lark Crafts Japanese Beadwork blog post. (Check out the gorgeous, artsy photos, too!)

Will you give either tutorial a try? If so, be sure to come back and share your results! Leave a comment below or hop over to the Beadwork forum.

Images courtesy of PriceGrabber

Back in September I wrote about Barbara Natoli Witt's elaborate beadwork and a new book, Adornment, which showcases many of her necklace designs. This week I'd like to point you to an amazing interview Barbara recently had with blogger Jess Gold.

In the interview, Barbara reveals some of the fascinating life experiences that have influenced her work. Among other things, she describes her first adventures acquiring Pre-Columbian artifacts. She also discusses how Marija Gimbutas has influenced her, and tells stories about her friendship with Eleanor Lambert.

Barbara also explains the importance of symbolism in her designs, and how she combines symbols to tell stories with her necklaces.

Can you think of some ways that you might incorporate your own interests, life experiences, or even relationships into your beadwork?

I know it might sound daunting if you're just getting started beading, but it's still fun to think about. It's kind of like taking the usual question "What inspires you?" to the next level: How can you really communicate what inspires you in your designs?

Photos courtesy of Barbara Natoli Witt

I have another incredibly talented beadwork artist to share with you this week. Peggy Dembicer is an experienced mixed-media fine artist with a body of work that includes elaborate tapestry and paper weaving. But what really attracted my attention was her large-scale loomed beadwork. (Thank you to My Owl Barn, of all places, for helping me discover it.)

This wonderful vintage chip bag design is beadwork stitched entirely on a loom. It consists of 12,412 seed beads and took about 45 hours to design and weave. Its dimensions, unframed, are 7 by 10 inches. I love it!

Another of Peggy's loom designs is a tribute to Tim Burton's Mad Hatter character. Here's some detail:

The beads in each row, of course, had to be picked up one by one, in a very specific order based on Peggy's design. Look how the subtle variations in colors blend together to create the image. It's really a fine art painting done with beads.

I find Peggy's work amazingly inspiring, and I'd like to thank her for allowing me to share it here on About. Please take a few minutes to learn more about her work elsewhere on the net.

More Dembicer beadwork on Flickr:

• Homage to Michael Jackson - loomwork

• Sgt. Peggy's Lonely Hearts Club Band - loomwork

• Le Reve Reversed - bead embroidery

• Dear Antler - peyote stitch

Videos:

• The making of Dear Antler

• The making of Mad Hatter

• The making of the Michael Jackson portrait

You can also visit her entire online gallery to see Peggy's mixed media work.

Which piece is your favorite?

• Learn more about beading on a loom.

Images courtesy of Peggy Dembicer