I am often asked what weighted bobbins are used for. Today I have been working on a sample braid for a workshop and as I needed to use the bobbins it seemed a good opportunity to write a blog about how I use them. A good kumihimo disk should be able to grip the cords sufficiently to maintain an even …
It is hard to believe that it has been a whole year since I had my screen test at Jewellery Maker. What a year it has been! Working with such a wide range of gemstones has often pushed me right out of my comfort zone and forced me to develop new techniques. It has been a two-way process. I would …
Here are the lovely, hardworking ladies who attended my Introduction to Kumihimo workshop, which was hosted by Spoilt Rotten Beads in the pretty village of Haddenham in Cambridgeshire. My aim was to introduce the basic skills of kumihimo braiding and to add to them the tricks and tips I have learnt along the way, which ensure consistent results. I wanted …
I have been working hard today on the handouts for a workshop due to be held in March. I was delighted to be asked to take part in the programme of workshops at Stitch’n’Craft in Dorset and I have given a lot of thought to the content of the workshops, especially the first one, which is an introduction to kumihimo. …
A great way to bring some interesting texture and individuality to kumihimo braiding is to explore novelty yarns. These are generally designed for knitting or crochet, but many of them can be used very successfully in braiding. For this blog post I want to concentrate on the hairy/fuzzy ones. A quick look around the shelves of a wool shop will …
So this is what I got up to on my last appearance on Jewellery Maker! This kit was ultra feminine with pretty pink and baby blue gemstones, but a huge collection of 7 reels of cord in brighter colours meant that the kit could be taken in different directions. I was in a bit of a pink place when I …
Here is a little peep at what I will be showing tomorrow on Jewellery Maker. It is a Christmas themed show, full of reds, greens and golds. Yes I know it seems rather early, but for anyone planning for craft shows or who plans to make lots of presents and decorations it is far from early to get started. …
The latest issue of Beads & Beyond magazine is now out in the shops and one of my tutorials has found its way between the covers! I thought it might be interesting to talk through the process of getting a design into print. I have been contributing to the magazine since 2010, so I have a good track record, but …
One of the great joys of designing jewellery is seeing what other people make with my designs. Everyone adds their own touch and the design takes on a life of its own. I am seeing this process go one step further with Jamie North’s wonderful Kissing Dragons bracelet. She has sourced some adorable dragon clasps, which not only add character …
I have just finished posting the brief instructions for the designs I showed on the afternoon show on Jewellery Maker on Tuesday. I was given two kits and I made 4 designs out of each kit. All the designs were shown on the show and two of them were demonstrated. When I unpack each kit I am pretty apprehensive because …
