Wonder Loom
Wonder Loom is a toy loom designed for children, used mainly as a way for them to create colourful bracelets and charms by weaving rubber bands together into Brunnian links.[citation needed] It was designed in 2013 by Choon's Designs LLC of Wixom, Michigan[1] and licensed to The Beadery Craft Products in Hope Valley, Rhode Island as the exclusive manufacturer.
Description
The Wonder Loom is a plastic pegboard style loom measuring 2.25 inches (57 mm) by 11.75 inches (298 mm) with 3 rows of 13 pegs each. Colourful elastics are placed on the pins and then looped using a hooked picking tool. This produces strings of interconnected loops called Brunnian links, which depending on the pattern used, forms jewelry, headbands, keychains, action figures[1] or other shapes when removed.
The Wonder Loom kit includes a loom, which features patented channels and flanges to make the looping easier, a picking tool, C-clip fasteners, and an assortment of 600 rubber bands.[2]
History
The Wonder Loom was created by Cheong Choon Ng, who is also the creator of the Rainbow Loom, when Walmart and other retailers requested a made-in-the-USA version of the toy.[3] After reworking the loom to simplify the design, Ng licensed the Wonder Loom to The Beadery Craft Products as the exclusive US manufacturer. The product became available for purchase at Wal-Mart stores on 8 November 2013 and shipped 150,000 units per week through the 2013 holiday season and into 2014.[4]
The Wonder Loom also inspired several instructional books to be published. These include:
Since its release, new products have been added to the line, including new band colours, assortments, beads, and charms to attach to the bracelets. The Beadery also announced a smaller handheld version called the HandyLoom and other new tools and accessories being revealed later in 2014.[2]
Gallery
Rose Bud Bracelets
Beaded Bracelet & Ring
References
- ^ a b Kavanaugh, Catherine (15 December 2013). "Rainbow Loom's creator weaves success from playtime inspiration". Crain's Detroit Business.
- ^ a b "The Beadery Buzz: Wonder Loom Products". The Beadery. March 2014.
- ^ Chesto, Jon (18 May 2014). "Here's how Wal-Mart helped a Mass. manufacturer add dozens of jobs". Boston Business Journal.
- ^ Kavanaugh, Catherine (17 December 2013). "Inventor brings US business into loop with Wonder Loom". Plastic News.
- ^ Wonder Loom: Bracelets and Things. Leisure Arts. 2013. ASIN B00H2XTYWS.
- ^ Rubber Band Loom Crafts. Leisure Arts. 14 January 2014. ISBN 9781464715495.
- ^ Wonder Loom: Beyond the Basics. Leisure Arts. 2014.