Kumihimo

Learn the basics of kumihimo braiding and beading to create over 12 pieces of gorgeous jewellery. Kumihimo is a popular jewellery-making technique with origins in Japanese tradition. This colourful and informative beginner's guide to the craft explains how to use a circular kumihimo disc and a variety of braids and beads to create 12 stunning pieces of jewellery, plus colour and style variations, for any occasion. Kumihimo is a transportable craft so once you have mastered the basics of placing your braids over the disc in different formations to make a variety of patterns and motifs, you can create kumihimo jewellery wherever you go.

Kumihimo Basics & Beyond presents techniques for creating all-cord braids and beaded braids, then teaches beaders how to transform them into finished jewelry. Short demonstrations of the key techniques needed for each project are presented in easy-to-grasp portions, allowing beaders to learn and practice as they go. Rebecca Combs demystifies tricky “kumihimo math” by providing detailed supply lists for each project in the book, plus teaches beaders how to calculate the amount of fiber and how many beads they’ll need for their future kumihimo projects.

In ancient Japan, beautiful yet functional cords made with the traditional braiding art of kumihimo adorned everything from kimonos to samurai armor to prayer scrolls. In Kumihimo Wire Jewelry, innovative jewelry artist Giovanna Imperia offers a fresh twist on this time-honored technique, adapting it to create stunning wire jewelry. In addition to a concise history of kumihimo and an overview of its essential materials, tools, and techniques, readers will learn the basics of this braiding method, plus how to create 20 striking projects--stylish bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces--all supported with detailed, step-by-step instructions and illustrations. This comprehensive book, which also includes pieces by prominent kumihimo jewelry artists from around the world, will inspire jewelry makers, beaders, and wireworkers at all skill levels to take their craft in a vibrant new direction.

Elementary techniques of 12 maru-dai, 30 kaku-dai and 20 ayatake-dai are included.

A practical guide to the technique of kumihimo (Japanese braid making).

The renowned jewelry crafter teaches readers how to make beautiful creations using the traditional Japanese braiding technique of Kumihimo. Kumihimo is the centuries-old Japanese artform of creating elegant braids using intricate and beautiful patterns and designs. These braids are then fashioned into all kinds of objects, such as bracelets, necklaces and more. This illustrated guide features step-by-step diagrams and photographs to help you create your own Kumihimo jewelry projects at home. Written by expert jewelry crafter Dorothy Wood, The Beginner’s Guide to Kumihimo covers a range of techniques including flat braids, square braids, honeycomb braids, hollow braids, spiral braids, and braiding with beads. Readers will learn to use different cords and wire, as well as finishing techniques. This volume also features templates to make your own Kumihimo disk and plate, plus a handful of contemporary projects for jewelry and accessories so you can put your newfound braiding skills to use right away.

Discover the gorgeous jewelry that can only be created with kumihimo wirework! Whether new to kumihimo or looking to take your skill to the next level, Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy is the companion you need. Author Christina Larsen will show you how easy it can be to transition from traditional kumihimo materials to wirework with her expert guidance, comprehensive instruction, and inspiring designs. In this must-have resource, you'll find: • A complete guide to understanding wireworking tools and materials specific to kumihimo wirework. • Full step-by-step tutorials for 3 basic kumihimo braid structures perfect for wirework jewelry designs. • Project instructions for 20 inspiring kumihimo wirework designs including earrings, bracelets, and pendants. Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy has everything you need to bring the ancient art of traditional Japanese braiding to your modern jewelry designs.

Beaded Kumihimo Jewelry is a collection of projects made using the most common kumihimo braid: kongoh gumi. The book includes 20+ all-new projects using this popular technique all in a friendly, easy-to-follow format made using an inexpensive kumihimo disk incorporating all your favorite beads. As you go through her third book, Rebecca will show you how to use many different types of beads in a variety of sizes to make kumihimo jewelry effectively. One beneficial section of this book is Rebecca’s “trouble shooting” section, used to help explain some of the most problematic areas of a kumihimo braid making each project more manageable for beginners. There is also a helpful Kumihimo Math section used to calculate the proper length and materials of the braid. Along with a few more detailed instructions for the foam disk, and a discussion about using the marudai. Beaded Kumihimo Jewelry is a great addition to your beading library not only for the beautiful designs, but the detailed discussions of both kumihimo math and trouble shooting.