How to Bead on a Mirrix Loom: Beginner to Professional by Yuliya Klochan

This is a post by one of Mirrix's 2026 Brand Ambassadors, Yuliya Klochan. Follow Yuliya  on Instagram @yuliyaklochan here.

Today is my 1-year anniversary of beading on the Mirrix 12” Little Guy Loom. I’ve also owned four other Mirrix Looms. It’s time to share what I’ve learned. 

First, an introduction: I am a Ukraine-born, Chicago-based beading artist using traditional Ukrainian loom beading for contemporary art. Many of my pieces focus on social justice. I also make Chicago- and folklore-themed works and accessories.

Liberty Leading the People,” woven with 11,413 beads on the 12” Little Guy Loom

I started beading in July 2023—and remembered that I’d learned it as a child, 20 years ago! In early 2024, as beadworks piled up, I started selling accessories at local artisan stores. By 2025, I was showing framed artworks in galleries. 70 exhibits and markets later, I just opened my first solo art show (if you’re in the Chicago area, you can still check it out until Aug. 8, 2026, at Art City in Lincoln Park.

Mirrix looms were pivotal in expanding my practice, starting in early 2025. Before, I was limited to 40 columns wide. Now, I’ve woven pieces up to 112 columns wide, with up to 15,000 beads! The vertical positioning helped reduce back pain, and the sturdy structure has prevented disasters, even with cats. 

“Building Blocks,” woven with 5,986 beads on the 12” Little Guy Loom (feat. Clunk the Cat)

*** 

Part 1. Beads

I currently weave on the 12” Little Guy Loom with Toho Aiko beads. These are considered “perfect cylinder” beads due to their superb consistency within each color. I highly recommend these: Loom-woven pieces come out looking particularly neat, and the color selection allows for more nuanced images compared to other beads. 

A modern take on Botticelli’s “Venus” woven with 11,956 Toho Aiko beads

Note that specific colors of Toho Aiko beads can be hard to procure due to production issues that started during the pandemic. They can also be more pricey than the more common Miyuki Delica 11/0 beads, unless you buy them wholesale in 50-gram bags (which contain about 8,000 beads).

Toho Aikos are listed as 11/0 beads (meaning that 11 of them fit side-by-side in an inch), but they tend to run larger than the Miyuki Delica 11/0 beads. I’ve seen Aikos described as 10.5/0 beads, though this difference isn’t particularly noticeable, and I’ve been able to mix Aikos with some Delica 11/0 colors.

Miyuki Delica 11/0 beads are much more commonly used by beaders, and they’re a great alternative that you can find at your local craft store or online. 

A reproduction of Munch’s “The Scream” made with Miyuki Delica 11/0 beads

Part 2. The Loom

I’ve set up my 12” Little Guy Loom for ease of warping, following the same warping method that I would on a small, store-bought beading loom. With this setup, I can prep the loom for a 100 bead-wide tapestry in under 10 minutes. I use the following components to weave with 11/0 Toho Aiko or Miyuki Delica beads: 

• 12” Little Guy Loom 

• Bottom Spring Kit with One 18 Dent Coil and Two 16 Dent Coils. 16 dent is recommended for wider pieces. 

• One additional 18 dent warp coil (aka spring) 

• 8 dent Shasta Combs: Because the dent of the Combs doesn’t match that of the Springs, you’ll need to wrap 4 columns of thread around each Comb dent (see image below).

With 18 dent coils and 8 dent Shasta Combs, I’ve been able to comfortably fit a tapestry of up to 112 11/0 beads wide, with up to 140 rows. 

“The Gayest Place on Earth,” woven with 13,552 Toho Aiko beads on the 12” Little Guy Loom

The 12” Loom is great for beaders who want to make wider and longer pieces, and may feel too bulky for beginners. If you’re just starting out with beading, you can use the same sizes of Shasta Combs and Springs on the 8” Lani Loom. Any Chloe Pocket Loom with 16 or 18 setts is also great: I recommend adding a stand for these so the loom (and you!) can remain upright.

Note also that all Mirrix looms can be used for tapestry weaving, so you can try a new medium with them too. 

“Buying Love,” woven on the 12” Lani Loom

Injustice,” woven on the 10” Chloe Pocket Loom

Part 3. Other Supplies

For the thread, I prefer Fireline fishing line. The 6lbs strength is thin enough to go through 11/0 beads multiple times. I use the crystal color—it is nearly invisible—but you can also purchase black Fireline. 

The polyethylene woven into Fireline is the strongest fiber, per diameter, ever created, and I’ve never had issues with it ripping midway through a piece. It even withstands cat attacks! Also, I use the “pull n’ pray” method of finishing beadwork, so I can easily reuse the excess Fireline thread for wefts later.

Note that Fireline is sometimes marketed as fishing line and other times as beading thread: Despite the different branding, it’s the same product. A tip: Fireline can wear down scissors or thread snips over a couple of months, so make sure you replace those tools regularly. 

For the needle, I recommend Tulip needles, which are particularly resistant to bending. I like the loom beading or #12 (long) needles. They’re thin enough to go through the 11/0 beads with multiple layers of Fireline. For wider pieces, I also use a non-branded 4.7” needle from Amazon. I’ve tried longer needles, too, but these tend to be too wobbly. 

I also recommend getting a craft bumper to lay out your bead colors. The soft, velvety padding makes it easier to pick up beads and prevents them from rolling around. The solid base makes the tray easy to put away. You can buy a bumper at your local craft store or hand-made from Etsy. Get a bead scoop, too, for ease of cleaning up. 

Lastly, to design patterns, I use Beadographer software. You can try the free version, and there’s also a paid one for $14.99/year. Beadographer has libraries for both Miyuki Delica 11/0 and Toho Aiko beads. 

Part 4. Final Notes

Whether you’re just starting loom beading or are a professional, I think you’ll like your Mirrix Loom! If you have any questions about beading supplies, methods, tools, etc, feel free to reach out to me via Instagram DM @yuliyaklochan or my website at www.yuliyaklochan.com/contact. I’m a big fan of beadwork and would love to make your beading journey easier! 

“Tired” (work in progress), woven on the 12” Little Guy Loom