Scenes from Kumihimo Class

I taught a Kumihimo Class this weekend... As usual, I forgot to take pics until there's only a few people left in class!

I always have my students learn the basic stitch on a large 2mm rattail or with curling ribbon. I encourage them to use 8 different colors so they can see just how random the Kumihimo is:

But one of my students wanted to mix the two. The curling ribbon is what created the nice ridges in this piece:

Then we move onto beaded kumihimo. Here's a finished bracelet;

This bracelet was made by a student who called herself "The Bling Queen." We're still working on the wire wrapped clasp here. I love how sparkly the metallic beads are!

Beaded Kumihimo Bracelets

I never can remember to take photos in class until most of the students are gone. As luck would have it, the last two in class made similar Kumihimo bracelets...but I do love the black and gray with gunmetal bead caps! Maybe I'll do better next time!

Kumihimo Class

I taught Kumihimo this week and finally realized I should be taking photos near the end of class. These are some of the rat tail samples I have the class practice on to learn the basic knot. The goal is not to make a pretty but to learn the knot and see how it lies. And to keep turning the loom in the same direction...

I took a few photos of the beaded versions but will get that up in another post. I'm still jamming on taxes!

Another Hectic Class Day!

Teaching on weekday has put yet another kink in my schedule... I just can't get used to this! I always forget I have to walk the dogs early in the morning... and by the time I remember, it's darn hot and miserable for all. And puts more kinks in my day. And now it's 5 and I need to leave for class and I need a shower(!!!) and I need to load the car and I haven't blogged.........

So.. There's even more kumihimo goodies on the glass bead site now... 8-D

Please check in tomorrow... I have something neat to show you!! I promise!! For reals...

Fresh Glass 8/10/11

It was most rewarding just torching for ME... At least I know my customer will like the beads! LOL!

I made two focals for jewelry projects I'm thinking of: a big lentil full of reactive silver glasses & dichroic with surface decoration of a sunflower wrapping around the side and a big circle of life scroll in blue aventurine.

The other is  BIG hole squished bead. I wanted it with a HUGE hole for a kumihimo project I want to demo. I wanted what amounts to a tiger bead with some brown and olive accents instead of straight topaz. I really like the way it came out.

Lastly, I played with my emerald press and realize... there's a learning curve to it. Still a lovely shape though!

Well Duh!

I had about a kajillion things I wanted to post here over the weekend... and now on Tuesday morning... I got NOTHING! Maybe it's the fog I'm watching roll in that has taken over my brain!

This kind of cool weather is unheard of here in the mountains east of the San Fernando Valley. And I plan to make the most of it. I'm going to try and torch today. Just for me... a few jewelry projects I have in mind. Something with no pressure; no consequences when it doesn't sell.

I'm trying out a different kind of tiger today:

Tiger Trio

I should mention, I spent the weekend busy on the glass bead website. My Kumihimo students had been asking me to get the products I sell in class up on the website and now, there is a whole Kumihimo / E bead section. I'm adding a few items every day so as not to overwhelm my fan page with posts!


So far, the prettiest thing there is thread! LOL!

I promise, tomorrow will be  more news worthy! Have a great Tuesday!