Shine Magazine

I opened my email today to see the latest issue of Shine Magazine which is an online issue by Beads Direct. And there's my Kumihimo wrap bracelet on the Lets Be Social Page. Thanks for featuring my bracelet I was so happy to see it.

And don't forget to vote for my necklace click here. There are only a few days left to vote. Thanks everyone who has voted so far.

Triple Wrap Kumihimo Bracelet

I had been wanting to make this bracelet for a while and finally got around to it this week. I used black and metallic silver embroidery thread and silver findings and worked a 16 strand Kumihimo weave on a round Kumihimo disc.

I'm going to try working the same design in a gold colouring next, I think it will be just as nice as the silver. There are so many colour options to try and I can't wait to try a  few more.

Flower Kumihimo Bracelet

I found this pattern to make this bracelet on Pinterest and thought I would try it out. I have only just started Kumihimo so this is the first pattern I have tried so far.  Its quite a simple pattern but looks lovely when its done. The pattern on Pinterest links back to friendship-bracelets.net who have so many great patterns for Kumihimo and other friendship bracelets!



So here is how my bracelet turned out. I changed the background colour to black for mine as I prefer it. I love the little pink flowers its so simple but has a great pattern. I'm hooked on Kumihimo now and can't wait to make a few more patterns!

More Kumihimo

I had been wanting to try a twisted style of a Kumihimo bracelet I had seen in a magazine a while ago but as I am still very new to this technique the written instructions had be a little confused so today I found a tutorial video on youtube which really helped!



And this is how it turned out. I'm really happy with it. Again I have used the fold over cord ends to finish this bracelet. Its just something I have and am comfortable using at the moment but will be hopefully getting a whole lot of new Kumihimo supplies soon now that I have grasped the basics and like it so much!








I can't wait to try even more colour styles and soon I'm going to even try a beaded Kumihimo bracelet! But for now I have added this onto the same clasp with a few of my other bracelets to wear together!








I have loved trying this new technique and can see myself continuing to use it in my jewellery making. If its something you haven't tried before I would recommend a try at it and see how you get on. There are plenty of youtube videos and instructions online to help you and once you grasp the basics your away! Let me know below if you have tried Kumihimo and weather its a technique you like or not!

Kumihimo

I bought a kumihimo braiding disc and plate a little while ago and just hadn't had the time to try it out until this weekend. It is a technique that I had wanted to try for ages and knew as soon as I did I would love it. I've been working on a lot of friendship and cord bracelets lately so this is just the next step.

I have only tried using the disc so far and made a simple bracelet just to see how I would get on. Its a great repetitive pattern so after no time at all I was trying to decide how to finish it off. When I ordered the disc and plate I forgot to order some kumihimo cord ends. So instead I used the fold over cord ends that I have been using in all of my friendship bracelets.

Im not entirely happy with the ending of the bracelet but I was more just trying to get the hang of making the braid which I did so all in all I think its been a success.

Hopefully I will have a whole heap of these hanging on my arms over the summer in all different colours and patterns. I think its become another of my favourite techniques!





I decided I wanted to wear it with my diamond patterned friendship bracelet so I have attached the two bracelets onto the same toggle clasp. I prefer to attach bracelets like this onto one clasp. I just don't like having a whole heap of clasps on my arm so I try keep it as minimal as possible.

I've Been Shopping

I have wanted to pick up a few new things for the last while but I just hadn't gotten around to ordering them until last week and they finally arrived on Friday so I thought I would share what I had bought!

First I bought a Kumihimo Plate and Mini Kumihimo Disk. This is a technique I have been wanting to try for a long time but have never learned. I have been working with a lot of cords and threads for bracelets lately so this seemed like a natural thing to move onto.

I also bought myself Basics of Chain Maille and Advanced Chain Maille both by Lauren Andersen. I have been working with Chain Maille quite a bit over the last while as well but thought it would be good to get the books and see the other weaves that are possible. I love the layout of these books are they are so well explained.

Check back with me over the next while and I will be posting my progress using the Kumihimo supplies and the Chain Maille books.

As always if you have any questions or requests for things to be featured on the blog let me know in the comments below. Feel free to just leave a comment as well. I love getting comments and feedback from readers!