KUMIHIMO BRAIDS WITH BEAD COLLAGE PENDANTS

This is what keeps me up at night. It's very relaxing, has no limits to what you can choose to use, and it's wearable art! I am using ribbons and beads from my leftover projects.
There are tutorials on how to make the braids and the bead collage pendants on this blog. Just click KUMIHIMO on the right. Thanks for stopping by.

Kumihimo Braiding Tutorial and Samples

KUMIHIMO BRAIDS AND BEAD COLLAGE

HAPPY ST. PATRICK's DAY!

I have been learning something new. It is Japanese Braiding called KUMIHIMO. This is done on a small inexpensive loom and is very portable and very relaxing. You can google "Kumihimo" and will come up with ALL kinds of videos, kits, tutorials and gorgeous examples. My work so far has come mainly from Lytha Studios Kits. I am very satisfied with their materials. I created the braids below using the beginner kit and instructions. The first one I made to wear today for St. Patrick's Day! I got a lot of compliments on it!

The green beaded pendant is similar to one I purchased at a craft show years ago in Florida. I call mine a BEAD COLLAGE. My bead collages look quite different from what I purchased because I use a lot more beads and it is larger than the one I bought. I still want to give credit to the original lady who came up with the idea. This black and white kumihimo braid was made using nylon crochet cord that I had in my stash. I am trying to use what I have on hand. The pendant was purchased at a flea market and looks like silver and onyx, but who knows. I have had it for years. This braid gives it new life and brightens up a white T-Shirt.

This pink kumihimo braid and heart pendant came as a complete kit from Lytha Studios. It was a pleasure to make and I love the way it turned out. Maybe you might like to try kumihimo. Thanks for stopping by!