Build a Weaving Loom!

It started with paper plate weaving in a circle and then I advanced to a sturdy shoe box.  It was finally time to see if I could build a little loom for my weaving addiction....and here it is.   You do need some basic power tools, but it's well worth it since you can weave until you're heart's content and then start all over again!  I've given two versions here, one with nails and one with grooves.  Both are just as effective and take about the same amount of time.  Jump in and make something that challenges you this summer and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

 Weaving magic!

I love the way these look on my table!

I used every color in the basket!

Watch how to make a loom here!

STUFF I USED

32" of 3/4" x 1 1/4" wood trim

32" of 1/2" x 1 1/4" wood trim

32" of 3/8" wood dowel

3/8" Drill bit

Hammer and 1" nails

Large blunt needle

Various colors and textures of yarn

Tacklife Sander, Rotary Tool, Jig Saw & Drill

Amazing Goop II Max

Masking tape

1. & 2.  Cut and sand two 16" long pieces of the 3/4" thick wood trim and the 1/2" thick wood trim

3.  Mark 1" in on the 3/4" wood trim on both ends of one 16" piece

4.  Make sure your drill bit is the same size or a bit bigger than the diameter of your dowel

5.  Drill through the 1'' marks on the ends of one piece of the 3/4" thick wood trim

6. & 7. Tape the other piece of 3/4" thick trim to the drilled piece and drill 1/2 way through the 2nd piece of trim

*This hole will be the "resting" place for your wood dowel when the loom is put together

8.  Match the holes, tape the drilled pieces together and mark every 3/8" along the sides (from hole to hole) across the two pieces of trim

9.  Using a rotary tool, create 1/4" deep grooves on each 3/8" line across both pieces of trim

10.  OPTIONAL:  Instead of the rotary grooves, you can also use 1" nails every 3/8" along the edge of the trim as shown

*The nails would be hammered along the edge of the 1 1/4" side, not the 3/4" side like the grooves

11.  Square and glue the grooved pieces to the 1/2" by 1 1/4" wide wood trim as shown

12.  Measure and cut the dowels so that they are about 16" in length and make sure they slide easily in and through the drilled holes

13. & 14  Thread the grooved loom or nailed loom (with yarn) from top to bottom keeping the yarn taught as you move along

15. & 16  Tie a long piece of yarn on the dowel, thread the blunt needle 

and start weaving from side to side

*Slide out the dowels and clip the yarn at the top and bottom when you're done then tie knots or use fabric glue to secure the ends

  Join me for coffee?

Mid-Century Cardboard Tile Table

Recently I saw a beautiful mid-century tile table at a high-end thrift store for a small fortune.  Well, not a small fortune, an ACTUAL fortune!  I decided to see if I could replicate it with some inexpensive materials, just for fun.  I used cardboard for the tiles and some simple hair pin legs instead of the tapered wood legs.  Once I poured the resin over the tiles I couldn't believe how much they looked like REAL tile.  It was a wonderful surprise.  Remember to always look for alternatives and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

I'm ready for a classic cocktail!

Not sure about the rug, but it matches!

Watch how to make it here!

STUFF I USED

Famowood Glaze Coat 2-part epoxy resin

Americana Decor Outdoor Living Paint

Americana Decor Metallics in Vintage Brass

3/4" plywood for the table top

Tacklife tools:  Jigsaw, Drill & Sander

Cardboard

16" Hairpin furniture legs

E-6000 Glue

Swing arm paper cutter

HERE'S HOW

1. Paint cardboard in several different colors

2.  Cut the cardboard in 1" x 1" tiles

3. Create your table shape in paper and then trace onto the plywood

4.  Cut out the shape with a jigsaw

5.  Paint the table top (I chose a battleship gray)

6.  Cut some of the tiles in half and glue them along the outer edge of the table with E-6000

7.  Glue tiles inward, row by row and adding some solid rows of gold and yellow toward the center

8.  Adhere 2" wide masking tape around the table to create a wall

*Make sure it's adhered all the way around the edge

9.  Press the tape under the table all the way around

10.  Follow the instructions for mixing the Glaze Coat and then pour it on the table

*I used 1 quart for this project

11.  Spread the resin evenly on the tiles with a sponge brush

12.  Pop the bubbles with a long arm lighter or small torch then cover and cure overnight

*Watch the table for about 30 minutes since air can get trapped inside the cardboard tiles

13.  Remove the tape and smooth out the rough edges with a sander

14.  Mix a small amount of Glaze Coat to cover the rough edges and let cure overnight

*This will make the sanded edges look like glass again

15.  If you want you can paint the edges with more Vintage Brass

16.  Screw the hairpin legs on the base and you're done!

The Glaze Coat is like Glass when it cures!

So happy with this!

Don Draper might have had one of these!