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Green Elegance

by Cathy Larsen.
(Toms River, New Jersey USA)

Kumihimo is the ancient art of Japanese braiding. Using Czech faceted beads, and seed beads, Kumihimo creates unusual yet beautiful bracelets and necklaces.

Incorporating any other types of beads, you can create some very unusual designs. I find this to be so relaxing and once you set up your disk, the braiding goes smoothly.

This one is created with Iris green Czech faceted beads and Iris green and gold seed beads.

I completed the pieces with gold plated findings.

Thank you.

Cathy Larsen
Jewelry Creations by Cathy

Comments:

Great colors
by: Rena

Very sleek and elegant – and I really like the bead colors you chose here!

Thank you for the interesting info on Kumihimo – it sounds like fun to create luscious, long strands with this technique.

Very Pretty
by: Michelle

This is so pretty and look like it would be very comfortable to wear, too.

Also, from someone who doesn’t use/work in seed beads, it looks complex and very advanced. 🙂

Thank you
by: Cathy

Thank you for your nice comments. I appreciate your feedback. Once you “thread” your beads and set up the disk, it is quite easy..and it goes fast. Google Becky Patellis. I use one of her patterns I found in a bead magazine.

A question
by: Anonymous

I haven’t tried this yet and have a question: do you string the seed beads first and then weave, or add the beads as you go? Your necklace is beautiful and I watched a youtube video–looks like I could do it! Gorgeous!

love this technique
by: Donna

Thank you for sharing your beautiful pieces. I’ve recently finished my first attempt at this technique and love the result. I’m trying other beads for different affects. Should be fun! I wasn’t sure how putting the beads on before weaving would work, but it’s very smooth and the repetitive movements are quite therapeutic. I am having trouble finding the bead cap/cones to finish the ends, though. Any suggestions?

answers
by: Cathy

To Anonymous: I string the beads first, then weave them on the disk. I use S-Lon cord for most beads, but have used fireline for beads with smaller holes.

To Donna: Try jewelrysupply.com for the cones/caps. They have a nice supply of them in different sizes and styles.

Thank you both for the lovely comments! 🙂

Glad you are pleased
by: Becky Patellis

I have so enjoyed Kumihimo, as have all my students. Cathy, yours looks great. Glad you contacted me for more information. Any time, any one.

Grandmother’s Attic

by Jackie Locantore.
(Bridgewater, Massachusetts USA)

The charms on this necklace are all items from my childhood in the 1950’s and 1960’s. My mom saved so many things from my childhood, and I love remembering the good times associated with these toys! A vintage 1950’s button and beads from old jewelry complete the necklace.

Jackie Locantore

Comments:

I remember some of these items
by: Leigh

Well not these exact items but similar pieces and this necklace brought a smile to my face immediately.

little troll!
by: Pauline

My eye went straight to the troll! I love this bracelet – it is adorable!

So fun!
by: Lynda

Retro has an appeal to so many because of the good memories they have about that time period in their lives. This necklace does just that.

The Troll
by: Jennifer

This piece is SO. MUCH. FUN.

You did a wonderful job of balancing the colors with your beads. My eye too immediately went to the Troll doll. You will surely get much pleasure from wearing this fun little necklace.

Jennifer Edwards
www.facebook.com/pages/blithe-ology/1467845720854724

thank you
by: Jackie Locantore

Thank you all for your kind comments. I did have loads of fun making this necklace! I have some more leftovers that I didn’t use here, so I will just have to make another!