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Where creativity & imagination go hand-in-hand... |
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Monthly Newsletter November 2013
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Dear Kumihimo Braiding Friends -
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Greetings,
Can you believe it's this time of the year already? Thanksgiving is right around the corner and then it's the parade of holiday festivities that follow. We've already had a few dustings of snow. Tis the season! Are you ready?
The Rodrick Owen Workshop in Fort Bragg was wonderful. For me it is a gift - I get five days to braid and braid and braid and I am surrounded by wonderful and talented people. Can't wait until next year! See more below and photos, too!
I have added some fun new things to my website. Many of you have asked for the Blended Beaded Necklace kit so here it is. I made one of these beauties last year at this time and now I have it for you in a kit in 15 different color combinations! I have also added a "Create Your Own Color" (CYOC) option where you can select your own colors!
I have also followed up with a little more "education" on 8/0 seed beads. They are so much fun - don't be afraid to try them.
 There will be NO Kumihimo night this month at my house. Sorry.
With much gratitude, I wish you a very
Happy Thanksgiving,
karen@whataknit.com
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Kumihimo Student of the Month - Me!
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This month I was the student. I spent one VERY wonderful week braiding in Jackie Wollenberg's Henhouse Studio, in Fort Bragg, CA, with teacher / braider, RODRICK OWEN. This is the second time I have had the opportunity to braid under Rodrick and I had a super fantastic time. There were 13 braiders plus our teacher. Rodrick comes from Oxford,England and we had classmates from Texas, Pennsylvania, California and one international braider from France. Four of the gals were beginners on the Marudai and I enjoyed watching them learn. There were also braiders on the Takadai, Ayatakadai and Kakudai.
 | | Beautiful Braids by Michael Hattori |
The photo to the right is just a small collection of some of Michael Hattori's fantastic braids. Gorgeous!
In this workshop we all worked on our own projects. Rodrick quietly challenged each of us and to my delight I had several significant "aha" moments. Rodrick would tell me that I could do something, I would think, "yep, sure???" and then low and behold the lesson was revealed and I indeed learned! I was not the only braider that had "aha" moments. We braided from, what seemed like, sun up to sun down. Sometimes the studio was alive and talkative and other times quiet with concentration. Consistently, there were smiles on everyone's faces and satisfaction in the air. It was a super workshop.
Jackie Wollenberg, responsible for coordinating the workshop, did a wonderful job and a big thanks to her for opening her home and heart to all of us There were many good laughs at the lunch table where Jackie surprised us each day with a new and delicious soup and other goodies! There was no shortage of food. Thank you!
 | | Michael, Jackie and Linda studying a braid. |
 | | Rodrick with Gin |
 | | Agnes on the Takadai. |
 | | Karen's 24 Strand Peruvian Braid |
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NEW! Blended Beaded Necklace Kit
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I love this necklace for the holidays.
Don't get me wrong though, this is a great everyday  necklace too. Depending on which colors you choose you can get a glitzy elegant look or you can just have fun! I have put together 15 color ways!
The Blended Beaded Necklace is actually my mom's (Irene York) creation. A couple of years ago she sketched out her idea for the blending or gradation of the colors and the Blended Beaded Necklace came to life. It's been in my gallery for quite some time and it was a class I taught at CNCH. The finished length of the beaded portion is right around 16" - 17" (depending on beads and braider). The necklace starts and ends with sections of C-Lon Tex 400 braid. You can easily adjust the size depending on where you want to finish and trim the C-Lon braided end sections (a longer necklace would have more braid showing and a shorter necklace would have less braid showing).
You will Need: Kumihimo Disk, 8 Bobbins, Measuring Tape, Heavy Duty Thread, Needle, Glue (like WeldBond), Fray Check (optional)
You Should Know: Kumihimo Round Braid, how to "drop" beads. If you aren't sure how to "drop" beads, it's very easy and you can check out Kumihimo Tip #14.
Kit includes:
- 1 Spool C-Lon Tex 400
- 6/0 Toho or Miyuki Seed Beads
- 5mm All-in-One Magnetic End Cap
- Instructions with Photos
Colors: 15 color combinations and an option to "Create Your Own Color" (CYOC)!
Cost $25 - $27
Click this link to see ALL Kumihimo Project Kits!
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FYI...More Info about 8/0 and 6/0 Seed Beads
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Side-by-Side & Mixing it up!
The picture to the RIGHT is an example showing the Painting with Beads Necklace Kit #4 in 8/0 seed beads and 6/0 seed beads. Remember, the larger the number, the smaller the bead. In this example, the necklace on the left (smaller beads) is made with 8/0 seed beads and the necklace to the right (larger beads) is made with 6/0 seed beads. I like both versions! Sometimes I like a heavier look and sometimes I prefer a lighter look!
You can also mix different sizes of beads. In the sample below I have mixed 6/0 seed beads and 8/0 seed beads and the effect is a "textured" looking braid.
Both 8/0 seed beads and 6/0 seed beads can be strung on the C-Lon Tex 400. The C-Lon Tex 400 has enough body that I use the threads a "self-needle".
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Back by Popular Demand - Glazed Donuts!
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Yummy Glazed Donuts. These are just gorgeous.
Use these to embellish your Kumihimo creations!
6 Colors: Sea Foam, Orange, Straw, Tortoise, Plum and Green Leopard.
42 mm with 10mm hole
$5 each
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Glazed Donut Edge Bead Necklace Kit
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Also back by popular demand! If you want me to put the colors together for you, here is the Glazed Donut Edge Bead Necklace Kit. You'll learn the Edge Bead technique which you can then use in other projects!
Kit includes:
-12 yards Petite Satin Cord
- Glazed Donut Pendant
- 2 Large Hole Beads
- 6/0 Seed Beads
- 1 Set 6mm All-in-One End Caps - Instructions with Photos
Colors: Tortoise with Chocolate, Sea Foam with Williamsburg Blue, Orange with Coffee, Straw with Teal, Leopard with Dk Olive, Plum with Navy.
Cost: $25
Click here to check out the Glazed Donut Edge Bead Necklace Kit
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Kumihimo Books Make Great Gifts!
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These books were a sensational hit last month. Order them now and have them in time for that very special holiday gift!
Braids: 250 Braids from Japan, Peru and Beyond by Rodrick Owen is one of the first books I purchased for my Kumihimo library.This book is packed with inspiration for braids created on a disk as well as the Marudai.
Cost: $19.95 
Beads & Braids by Jacqui Carey is another one of my all time favorites. This booked is packed full of endless ideas and inspiration for creativity. It's a little pricey but it is well worth every cent! I love this book. The longer I own it the more it speaks to me.
Cost: $39.95
This is a phenomenal price Beads & Braids.
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| It's Time! | |
It's time. No more warning you to "start" think about the holidays. The holidays will soon be on our doorstep. Now is the time to make your gift list, check it twice and then get started on your projects. You can do a few really nice Kumihimo related things for gifts:
2. For those that already know how to braid, give them a Kumihimo Project Kit. The kits are fun and easy and they come complete with everything needed for the project. Great instructions too!  3. Here's another option, you buy the kit and make the necklace for that special person. |
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Tis' the Season...
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Oh what fun it is to braid with beads....Galvanized Silver Magatamas, Opaque Red, Crystal Magatama, Red Magatamas, Green Magatamas, Opaque Green, Pomegranate, White, Silver Lined Red Magatamas, Silver Lined Green Magatamas ...just some starters for your Holiday fun! Click here to check out all of the beads!
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Shopping
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I have 6 "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.
Kumihimo Books
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WHAT A KNIT ! Newsletter Archives
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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
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