Well I was taught that before you start actually beading you weave about at least a quarter inch of thread through the strings, going back and forth. Then glue the weave to hold it with superglue. Once it's dry you start beading. Finnish it off the same way. Then when you stitch it down to whatever backing you tuck those ends in. The other way is weave thread about the same amount, then when you take it down off the loom braid the long ends. Alternatively I suppose you could do a macramé friendship bracelette type reduction to gather the strings in before knotting. Me I prefer the weaving and putting it on a backing. *shrugs* Keeps it more stable and less likely to fall apart.

I really like the feel of un-backed loomwork, its neat and fiddly. I think I'll try the weaving thing next time, I've seen that showcased on a couple of sites. I also might try my hand at making clamp fasteners, tho my metal skills are really limited, so I don't hold out much hope for that.

*nods* The other way you could try it is to fold the 'backing' around the edges you know like an open square or like taping the edges of paper. I've seen both.

Hmmm... I'll have to try. I find the actual looming so soothing... but starting and ending is just a big ball of annoyance.

*nods* What about applique ever tried that?

No... I thought that was fabric stuff?

Can be, with beads though instead of leaving the threads bare you put beads on.
Here's a really good instructional pdf.. sorry I couldn't find a shorter link, but the diagrams about halfway through the document are really good.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=applique%20beadwork&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CFoQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Foreida-bsa.org%2FOrderOfArrow%2Fpubs%2Fapplique_beading.pdf&ei=iRbhT56fOKbh0QHx5qyODg&usg=AFQjCNH1eZLO_pN_F2yDp-peckTVBCpHgw&cad=rja

Also the fun thing about applique style beadwork? You take a line drawing, pin it to the fabric on the side you want showing and then bead over the lines with your outline colour. Then you simply pull up the paper, the stitching will have perforated it just like stamps so it just rips right out, then you do your inside colours. One of the friends of the family has a fully beaded native hide outfit she did... sucker is heavy. (Different style than the kind of applique shown in the pdf, but same idea. Block instead of embroidery style.)

Ooo... I've always wanted to try that. Will keep you posted on results.

I've been playing videogames too long. I see a string of "Na"s, and all I think of is "Kat-ta-mari Da-ma-cy!"

But, came out very nice! Hehe, beaded loomwork, one of the earliest forms of pixel art.

Hmm, makes me want to dig out my Mom's old loom. Used to have a lot of fun with it.