Rizo beads are a relatively new bead shape, designed for the bead weavers and embroiderers. However, it is a great shape for use in kumihimo and the colours and special finishes are amazing. I decided to try using them in my Sitting Pretty design. With a couple of modifications it has worked out really well and produced a lively, spiky …
There has been renewed interest in my other wire kumihimo designs, so I thought the time was right to publish this one. It first appeared in Beads & Beyond magazine in the summer and much to my delight it made it to the front cover. I have rewritten the tutorial to include much more detail than can be accommodated by …
I have recently become the proud owner of a set of Gator weights, aka Kumi weights. Up to now I have been using a tablecloth weight. It is a smooth stone attached to a clip and works pretty well. When I need something lighter I can use a tablecloth weight from a different set, which happens to be lighter. When …
I seem to be very busy with several different projects, which need to stay secret for the time being! I really wanted to find something to post, so I hunted through my old files and found this little darling. I made it for a challenge in 2011 for the now defunct Australian Beading Forum. It was for a challenge titled …
Lovely Jamie North has made these stunning bracelets with a definite Wow Factor, using my tutorial and some of her fabulous clasps. Using wire to make kumihimo braids opens up a whole new world of design possiblilites. Wire works in a completely different way to cord and yarn and some familiar braids can look unrecognizeable made with wire. A certain amount …
We may not have had any snow here in London yet, but I couldn’t wait any longer to post this frosty, snowflake bracelet. I made it for the Kumihimo Challenge group last month. The challenge is monthly and is great fun, so I would highly recommend it to anyone. The braid is made using one of my favourite ingredients, ribbon …
Happy New Year to all lovers of Kumihimo! This is the time of year when we can look back over the year and see what we have achieved, as well as looking forward to what we hope to accomplish in the coming year. I feel that I learnt a lot in 2013 about how to play with Kumihimo to achieve …
I have seen some gorgeous designs recently using hairy yarns, so I though it was time to dig out one of my own. I love to use textured yarns as they produce very individual braids. They can be a bit tickly to wear, so I like to wear them over clothing, such as a turtle neck top or a shirt …
This is the front page of my latest tutorial for Digital Beading. It is called Nautical Knots. The brief was to make something summery, so I went for a nautical theme and got the chance to use these adorable sea charms. Writing tutorials for a fully digital magazine is interesting because they do not have to work to the same …
I was really delighted to find my latest design for Beads & Beyond magazine splashed across the front cover. 2013 was a good year for seeing kumihimo in print and as this is the January 2014 issue I hope it is a good omen for next year! I believe that kumihimo can only continue to grow if the flow of …
