Live Online Demo Saturday, May 16 @ Noon on Facebook >> Seed 2 Runway
#seed2runway DIY Kumihimo 8-Strand Braiding With Beads
Tools Needed:
- Round Kumihimo Braiding Loom >> Jewelry Supply
- Weight >> Make my own using a large 2 1/2 metal washer, waxed linen and a clip
- Scissors
- Ruler or Yardstick
- Glue (Satellite City Hot Stuff Special T) >> My Supplies Source
- Big Eye Needle >> Beadaholique
Materials Suggested For Beginners
- S-Lon Beading Cord >> Etsy Stores have the largest collection.
- Japanese Seed Beads Size 6/0 | These are the “paint” of your braiding. Beads are uniform in size made with precision technology in durable colors. There are two brands Miyuki and Toho beads. Most of my beads are Miyuki, which I purchase in 20g tubes. When I started bead weaving, there was a bead outlet store in Smithfield and retail stores in Raleigh and Chapel Hill. The Smithfield and Raleigh stores are now out of business and I don’t recommend the Chapel Hill store. I order my beads online from the following places:
- Auntie’s Beads >> Sold as 25 grams. Great selection but often sold out.
- Beads Direct USA >> My Go-To Favorite. Good selection and prices. Beads sold in tubes of 20 grams.
- Caravan Beads >> Beads sold in 20, 125 and 250 gram lots.
NOTE: All of the beads I’m using for my quarantine beadwork are coming from my stash. This has caused me to be creative with designing my beading patterns. My goal is to work out design patterns in different ways so I’ll have necklaces in different lengths.
Clasps For Necklaces
To finish off a necklace you will need a clasp of some kind. Several options are available including 1) Glue in bell end caps with either lobster, toggle or slide lock clasps; and 2) Glue in magnetic clasps. I purchase my clasps from Beads Direct USA.
Fiber Art by Carola 