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Working Out of the Stash

On April 27, 2013 · Leave a Comment · In 16 Tama, Beginner, Braids with Beads

Back in my weaving days, I always admired weavers who could pull together amazing combinations of colors from their “stash”, or collection of fibers left over from other projects or purchased without a specific project in mind. I had the opportunity to try again to develop that skill with this necklace. Although the holes in [...]

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Adventures with a Hair Work Braid, Part 1

On April 17, 2013 · Leave a Comment · In 16 Tama, Intermediate, Maru Dai, Skill Level

Recently several members of the “Kumihimo Braiders International” group on Facebook began experimenting with a particular braid from Mark Campbell’s Art of Hair Work, an instructional book published in 1867. The book, which is available free of charge at Project Gutenberg, was a “Self-Instructor in the art of Hair Work, dressing hair, making curls, [...]

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Adventures with a Hair Work Braid, Part 2

On April 17, 2013 · Leave a Comment · In 16 Tama, Intermediate, Maru Dai, Skill Level

One of the ways to add interest to a braid is to alternate sections of different braid structures, either consistently along the length of the braid or in more random placement. The smoothest transitions between structures occur when the initial tama and color placement is the same in both braids. While I was braiding the [...]

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Sea Shell Inspiration

On April 16, 2013 · Leave a Comment · In 16 Tama, Intermediate, Maru Dai, Skill Level

When I chose the colors for this braid, I had sea shells in mind. Actually, I was trying to create an appropriate braid for a different pendant than is shown here, but once the braid was complete, I decided that it was not the best braid for that pendant. The braid still made me think [...]

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← Previous Entries
  • This Week In My Workroom

    Welcome!
    Sometimes I work on specific projects, other times I'm just experimenting, but I am
    always learning.
    Here's what's going on this week.

  • Artist’s Statement

    I enjoy kumihimo precisely because it is not a mindless activity – it demands my focus and attention, engaging the problem-solving part of my brain. Whether the structure is one that I am braiding for the first time or a familiar one, I am required to concentrate on the way the threads work together to form that particular braid. It forces me to pay close attention to the process instead of hurrying or looking ahead. The individual moves lead one to another predictably, and the structure, once understood, tells me what should come next. This peaceful, rhythmic flow added to the pleasure of the color interactions and handling the silk is the joy of kumihimo for me.
  • Recent Posts

    • Working Out of the Stash
    • Adventures with a Hair Work Braid, Part 1
    • Adventures with a Hair Work Braid, Part 2
    • Sea Shell Inspiration
    • Trying My Hand at Karakumi Braiding
  • Project Categories

    • 16 Tama
    • 8 Tama
    • Beginner
    • Braids 2012
    • Braids with Beads
    • Disc and Plate
    • Equipment
    • Experienced
    • Intermediate
    • Karakumidai
    • Maru Dai
    • More than 16
    • Skill Level
  • Archives

    • April 2013
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    • October 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • December 2011
    • November 2011
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    • September 2011
    • August 2011
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