|
Where creativity & imagination go hand-in-hand... |
|
Monthly Newsletter June 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Knitters and Kumihimo Braiders,
| |
Hello, hello!
Life continues to be busy in Truckee. As soon as I had my suitcase unpacked from the trip to Spain it was time to dive headfirst into preparations for the CNCH Textile Games 2013 Conference.
I am thrilled to report back that the CNCH (Conference of Northern California Hand Weaver's) Textile Games 2013 was an absolute success. The conference planners did an exceptionally great job. From the Tailgate
 | CNCH Conference
Kumihimo Split Braid Class |
Market to the evening events, to the Olympic competitions the conference was perfectly choreographed. Whether you were a teacher or student the conference was excellent. The conference rolled out on Friday afternoon with a Tailgate Market. The What a Knit booth was very busy and a lot of new people learned about Kumihimo. Thank you Paula Rachuy for your help! I also had the honor and privilege of teaching 3 classes and I loved it. My students were fabulous, eager learners and the experience was rich and rewarding for me. I met a lot of very nice and very talented people. Can you tell, I loved it?
I also went to the Bead Show in Oakland earlier in the month and found some new things I will be sharing in the near future! Stay tuned.
For the local braiders, we will be having Kumihimo Night on Tuesday, June 18th at 6:30 PM at my house. Bring whatever you are working on and come over for some catching up and fun.
Happy Braiding,
Karen
|
|
|
|
| Kumihimo Community | |
As many of you know, I have been busy planning the "Makiko Tada / 2013 Kumihimo Workshop" to be held later this month (June 27, 28, 29, 30). Unfortunately, Makiko became ill and will not be able to come to the USA. Of course, when I read her husband's email a couple of days ago I was speechless. It was, quite simply, news I never expected. First and foremost I felt a lot of concern for Makiko and her family, and then there was the workshop to think about and I was also just sad. Those who know me, know that Makiko is on my "bucket list" of people that I want to meet.
The chain of events since I was notified a few days ago has been a heartwarming experience. People care so much about Makiko that they have reached out from everywhere to help. Janis at BraidersHand helped brainstorm ideas for substitute teachers and Rodrick Owen contacted Edna Gibson who called me from the UK to say she would be available. Incredible. Then I spoke with Carol Miller Franklin and she enthusiastically said that she could help. And it has been a whirlwind of gracious, giving people reaching out to lend support.
While she was driving from New Orleans to Gainesville, Florida Carol Franklin, without hesitation, agreed to come to California and in between areas of cell reception we dreamed up a class that we thought could suit most of the students signed up for the workshop. Because of the wonderful  response of the participants in the workshop, the Kumihimo Workshop will happen as planned - just with a different teacher. It is with heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the participants that, upon receiving my email of the change, responded back with a simple "I'm in". Thank you! I am confident that our Kumihimo Workshop will be great for all.
So, I was reminded that life takes little unexpected turns and it's what we do with it that gets us to the place we want to go.
Get well soon Makiko! We will be braiding and thinking about you.
|
|
10 New Colors! Kumihimo Braided Teardrop Necklace Kits
| Summer Fun!
 Petite satin cord teamed with sparkling handmade lamp worked glass teardrops make for a fun look. This is another fun thing to add to your Kumihimo "toolbox". This is a variation of the Edge Bead Necklace. Instead of beads on two sides, the Teardrop Necklace has the teardrop beads placed along one edge of the satin cord. Since the teardrop beads are larger than the seed beads and magatamas, the spacing is a little different. The necklace can be made as long as 24", I prefer about 17". You will Need: Kumihimo Disk, 8 Bobbins, Measuring Tape, Heavy Duty Thread, Needle, Glue (like WeldBond). You Should Know: Kumihimo Round Braid, how to "drop" beads.
Kit includes: - 10 yards Petite Satin Cord - 17 Handmade Lampworked Glass Teardrop Beads - 1 Set 6mm All-in-One End Caps - Instructions with Photos
Cost $23 Click here to order your Kumihimo Teardrop Necklace Kit!
The Kumihimo Braided Teardrop Necklace comes in 14 color ways.
From Top to Bottom:
Left Side: Coffee, Teal, Peach, Turquoise
Right Side: Black, Chocolate, Caramel, Black, Dark Olive
 
|
| Kumihimo Artist of the Month | |
Paula Rachuy - Truckee, CA
Paula recently shared her Edge Bead Bolo Tie Necklace. I think I is exquisite.
When I teach, I try to get my students to think about all the techniques they learn as tools they can put in their Kumihimo "toolbox". Once these tools or techniques are in your toolbox, you can pull them out, however you like, and combine them in different ways to get different end results.
Paula's necklace is a fantastic example of this. She took the "edge bead" technique and made the original Edge Bead Necklace - just a whole lot longer. Paula wears the necklace draped around her neck and then ties a loose knot in the front.
The Black & Galvanized Silver necklace measures about 52" from one end to the other with the beaded section about 42". This allows for tails about 5" long on each side.
To make the Black/ Silver necklace you will need:
24 yards of Petite Satin (about 2 1/2 pkgs)
30 - 34 grams 6/0 seed beads (4 pkgs beads - extra beads can be threaded on the tails).
Start by cutting 8 pieces of satin cord each 3 to 3 1/4 yards long, tie a knot where you would like the tails to start, position cords on disk, prepare satin ends for beading ( Kumihimo Tip #10) and then thread 52 - 54 beads on each cord. Braid using the "Edge Bead Technique" until you run out of beads. Remove from disk and tie a knot.
|
| They're Back! Glazed Donut Edge Bead Necklace Kits... |  This fun technique is another solution for attaching donut pendants to Kumihimo Braids. You will braid one side of the necklace at a time; your starting point will be the donut. I have provided enough material in the kit to make up to a 24" necklace; my preference is closer to 19". The instructions are written for the longest length (24") but you can adjust the size to any length simply by choosing where you want to finish and trim the end sections. From one end of the beaded section to the other is between 14" and 15". Your additional length will come from the braided tails (longer tails, longer necklace). You will Need: Kumihimo Disk, 8 Bobbins, Measuring Tape, Heavy Duty Thread, Needle, Glue (like WeldBond). You Should Know: Kumihimo Round Braid, how to "drop" beads ( check out Kumihimo Tip #14)
Kit includes:
- 12 yards Petite Satin Cord
- Glazed Donut Pendant 45 mm diameter
- 2 Large Hole Beads
- 6/0 Seed Beads
- 1 Set 6mm All-in-One End Caps
- Instructions with Photos
Kit Cost: $25 Check out the 2 new color ways: Slate Tortoise and Lily!
|
| Kumihimo + Kids = Summertime Fun |
 Kumihimo spans all age groups ... it's fun for parents to do with kids, it's great for grandparents to do with grandkids, it's a fun activity for kids to do with other kids. Kumihimo is also a great travel companion and it also makes a great gift! The "Kumi for Kids - Disk Kit" is perfect! Kids love this! The Disk is 4.25" in diameter - a perfect size for smaller hands. And with 8 skeins of Bonbons yarn - there is plenty of yarn for many projects! For kids that can read, the instructions will magically guide them through their first braids! The instructions are written to make braiding as easy as 1, 2, 3! Kit includes: - 4.25" Kumihimo Disk
- 8 EZ Bob Bobbins
- 8 Mini Skeins Bonbons Cotton Yarn (28 yards each skein)
- 4 Pages of Instructions with Step-by-Step photos
- 6 Color Coded Kumihimo Patterns
- Instructions for Kids First Project - Friendship Bracelet
|
|
Shopping |
I have 5 "Kumihimo Shops" to meet all of your Kumihimo needs. All orders are through PayPal (or use the credit card option) and I ship orders via USPS First Class Mail. This has been amazingly reliable and incredibly fast. Most orders are shipped the same day I receive them.
|
|
WHAT A KNIT ! Newsletter Archives
| |
For those of you that are new to What A Knit, you'll find some good info in the archived newsletters.
If you have any friends that might be interested in receiving this newsletter, make sure you forward them a copy. Click this link to
|
| Article Headline |
Include "How-to" articles or hints and tips on related subjects. Try a reader's poll. People love to give their opinion, and you can publish the results in your next newsletter. Drive traffic to your website by entering teaser text for the article with a link to your website for readers to view the full text.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
