Don Pierce is my father-in-law. He started beading after seeing some amazing work by an artist called Virginia Blakelock (http://www.beadcats.com/) in a gallery in Eugene, Oregon. The rest is, as they say, history. He started bead weaving and has created incredible works of art and written a couple of books.
One of his greatest achievements has been designing an amazing loom for bead weaving. About five years ago, my husband and I (Paul and Mary Pierce) started making the looms for Don. Paul is a journeyman machinist by trade, which of course means that everything has to be perfect!!
Earlier this year, Don asked us to take over the business and market the looms, not just manufacture them. His health has become a little more challenging and he was just not enjoying the ordering and shipping anymore.
We have made some upgrades to Don’s original website, renaming it http://larrytheloom.com/ .
Part of that work included adding secure ordering and payment abilities. I had made a Facebook page for Larry the Loom and this blog will publish to that as well. We also have a Pinterest page and have just opened an Etsy store.
My beading experience has been limited to belly dance costumes, which usually entailed beading directly on a costume with dental floss. I am going to take some classes, raid Don’s store of beads and supplies and start on my own journey of creation.
Needless to say, I already have a loom!