Ojibwa Bow Loom

Ojibwa Bow Loom

Weaving with beads, known as beadwork, is a relatively recent addition to the Ojibwa artistic heritage. Research suggests that early bead weavers used bones, shells and stone to make beads. The introduction of European glass beads by early North American explorers provided the beginning for Native beadwork, as we know it today. Early bead weavers used firm, pliable sticks; bent into a half circle called a bow loom. The warp threads were tied to both ends of the stick. Beads were woven across the warp thread. When the beadwork was completed it was cut from the bow loom. [SB] {KA}