Kumihimo Beaded Braid Necklace with Linda Gettmann

Read Linda Gettmann's bio here!

Learn the art of making Kumihimo woven fiber braids and the endless possibilities for beautiful jewelry creations. You will make an 8-strand braid on the kumihimo disk and then use that braid to make a beaded necklace. Students will learn how to make round and flat braids in class. A demonstration of seed beaded braids will be given. Those lovely novelty yarns you’ve seen and don’t know what to do with---they may be perfect for kumihimo.

What is kumihimo? A Japanese braiding technique used for centuries, when the Buddhist religion spread in Japan and people began to use decorative cords in religious ceremonies. Later, people used brightly colored braids to decorate clothing, to hang banners, lace samurai armor together, and to hang knives. The literal translation of kumihimo means the "coming together (kumi) of threads (himo)". Although kumihimo is particular to Japan, other cultures in history have used similar braids including the sling braiders of the Andes. There are some similarities between kumihimo and the fingerloop braiding practiced in Western Europe since the sixteenth century. Some uses for kumihimo braids include: handles, laces, trim, jewelry, closures, or as purely decorative pieces for gifts. Traditionally, untwisted silk threads, in bundles of a certain number of threads or "ends", would be used in making kumihimo braids. You can buy prepared kumihimo silk. Cotton embroidery floss is a good substitute for the silk, and you can experiment with other fibers too. Many of the ribbon and novelty yarns now on the market make beautiful textured braids.

Materials Provided:

Materials to bring:

Additional yarns, beads, and pendants will be available for purchase at class as well as completed jewelry.

Skill level: None - No experience necessary. 

Material Fee: $20

Class size: 20 students

Spaces Available: 14

This class will be held: Friday, April 20th, 2011 Afternoon - 1pm - 4pm

Please read instructions carefully on the Workshop page before signing up!

 

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