Garnie Bethea (Atlanta, GA)

Garnie Bethea is one of the most enthusiastic Kumihimo people I have come across! She is one of my Internet Kumi-friends. Recently I saw this photo of her red satin &  silver seed bead necklace. I think it is beautiful and I immediately wrote to her and asked if she would be willing to let me share it in the newsletter. And here it is. 

And this is Garnie's story..." I knew nothing about Kumihimo until I was introduced to it by a friend in July 2011.  That day I did some research on the Internet, made a disk out of cardboard, and I've been totally hooked ever since.  I do my best to get my hands on as much Kumihimo information as I possibly can.  
  

I love teaching Kumihimo to anyone who shows an interest. I love the way colors mix and blend when I'm braiding.  And I love using a variety of cords and materials in my projects.  My favorite braids to make are round, using 8 to 16 cords".
  

"I made the pendent look (photo above) by sewing a few beads together from each side zipper style, bringing the center piece together".   

This necklace is an 8 strand braid using red satin cord and silver seed beads. The first part of the braid is satin cord only, followed by a section with seed beads placed on the "edges" followed by a concentration of beads in the center and the second half of the braid is the mirror image of the first half. You can determine how long you want each portion of the necklace to arrive at a length that you want.

Cord Length: Since you are using beads, multiply your desired finished length by 3 and add another 6". This may be long but it's better to have leftover thread than to come up short!
 

Depending on the desired finished length, you will add anywhere from 30 to 50 +  beads each to all 8 strands.

1.  Braid desired length without beads

2.  Drop a bead on the next 2 moves (left up, right down)

3.  Braid next 8 moves without beads.

4.  Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have dropped as many "edge" beads as you want. Make a note so you will do the same on the other half of the necklace.
 5.  Next drop beads from every strand , every sequence until you have the desired length for the  "concentrated" bead section (center).

6.  Repeat steps 2 and 3  until you have dropped as many "edge" beads as the first half of the necklace.

7.  Braid without beads; same as beginning.

8.  Finish off with end caps or closure of your choosing.

Thank you Garnie!

*Remember, the number of beads you will need depends on the length of the necklace that you make. Braid a swatch to determine your own "gauge". TAKE NOTES!

This is my version of Garnie's necklace. Her  instructions work beautifully. I used  Red "Petite" Satin, 16 grams of Cream Luster Toho Seed Beads and 6mm magnetic end caps. I started out making a 17" necklace but in the end shortened it to 16 1/2 inches, including end caps/magnetic closure, and I plan to wear it as a loose choker.

1. I cut my strands 50" each (I had excess).
2. I strung 30 beads on each string.
3. I braided an 1 1/2" without beads.
4. Then I dropped 28 edge beads (on each side). See Garnie's instruction above, steps 2 & 3.

5. Next I dropped a bead every strand, every movement for 3".

6. Then I finished the second half of the necklace like the first.

This was super fun and super fast! Just think of all the satin color combinations that would be stunning. I have 28 colors of "Petite" Satin and lots and lots of seed beads for you to choose from.

Who wants to be the first to try this technique with Cube Beads or Magatamas?