Introduction
Materials
Essential Techniques
The Projects:
Basic eight-braid bracelet
Eight-braid beaded bracelet
'Inside-out' bracelet
Infinity Knot necklace
Four-colour stripe bracelet
Flower motif bracelet
Beaded popper charm bracelet
Crystal kumihimo necklace
Eight-braid cuff
Simple seven-braid bracelet
Eight-braid square cord bracelet
Twelve-braid raised cord bracelet
Index
Donna McKean-Smith founded Riverside Beads and Crafts in 2002.
Riverside has grown to be a household name in the jewellery-making
and craft industry, bringing a wonderful range of craft and beading
materials both to Donna's own shop and online at
www.riversidebeads.co.uk
Donna is a regular contributor to jewellery-making magazines, and
has self-published her first guide to kumihimo: 'Bead-Braid-Twist'.
Donna is a regular guest on Create and Craft, and can be found at
craft shows around the UK. She lives in Market Deeping near
Peterborough, UK, with her husband and three sons.
A nice introduction to Kumihimo, the book includes information on
materials, tools and essential techniques. All of the projects are
well explained and each is accompanied by bright, well
photographed, pictures and colour diagrams. Donna includes lots of
tip boxes throughout the book. All in all a great introduction to
Kumihimo.
*Bead Society of Great Britain, Journal 130 (Spring/Summer
2019)*
Even at first glance the book is filled with clear, colourful and
informative images printed on good quality, glossy paper which
offers the reader a seemingly more expensive book than the RRP
would suggest. The initial section on materials and essential
techniques is detailed and concise, and offers both written and
step-by-step picture instructions. There are clear directions to
get you started on a two-coloured, eight-braid bracelet with a
further eleven projects, plus braiding idea options. The book
offers exactly what the title suggests. It is good value for money,
the quality of printing and construction exceeds its price tag and
I would buy this book as a beginner's reference guide or as a gift
for a crafting friend.
*The Journal for Weavers, Spinners & Dyers (March 2019)*
This stunning art of braiding to make wonderful pieces of jewellery
is simple and unique. You will learn basic techniques to braid and
bead, which will give a beautiful finished piece of jewellery that
will be wearable and stylish. To make the projects you will need a
Kumihimo disc or plate, I would have liked to have seen one
included with this book, but you can pick them up for a couple of
pounds quite easily, and you will need some cord. The instructions
are easy to follow and what I liked is that picture demonstration
is included along with special hints and tips to give your work
that professional finish. Each piece is stunning, the beadwork is
amazing and for a 'Magpie' like me I was drawn to the shiny and
sparkle of the embellishments. This is a book perfect for
beginners, it really is a one to one craft class. 12 projects are
showcased and each one is gorgeous and appealing.
*Postcard Reviews*
This wonderful Kumihimo beginner's guide (or, to give the book it’s
proper title:’ A Beginner’s Guide to Kumihimo’) is by Donna McKean
Smith. Published by Search Press, it will come as no surprise for
me to tell you that the book is beautifully laid out and
illustrated. If you’re someone who enjoys making beaded ropes,
then I’m going to tell you why you need this. As the cover
advertises, this Kumihimo beginner's guide gives you 12 projects to
get you started. It also gives you a wealth of information about
the tools and materials you need. Plus, in learning these projects,
you are learning general Kumihimo techniques. So, you’ll end up
with the skill set to go on and make loads more Kumihimo projects
all on your own. In case you’re wondering, Kumihimo is actually an
ancient Japanese craft. It is basically braiding. You will get to
learn a number of different braid combinations. Each creates a
different texture and look. You will start by learning how to braid
with ribbon. Then, learn how to add in beads. Both these looks are
beautiful. The projects in the book will give you necklaces and
bracelets. If you want to try your own thing, then Kumihimo ropes
also make fabulous necklaces for hanging a special pendant or
cabochon. Donna McKean Smith has been running Riverside crafts for
many years. She is an expert teacher and this comes across in the
book. She guides you through everything from a beginner’s
perspective. So, you don’t need to know anything before you start.
Kumihimo is a very therapeutic craft. So, I can guarantee that with
Donna’s expert tuition, you will soon be relaxed and enjoying it
for yourself.
*www.myworldofbeads.com*
Make your own beautiful jewellery with the ancient Japanese craft
of kumihimo. This traditional method of producing braids has
been updated for the modern crafter with inexpensive disks and
bobbins and is surprisingly easy to do. I have been using my
marudai to make kumihimo braids for several years; basic fibre
braids can be used for so many things. This book does not
require any of the larger, more expensive items but if you have
them you can use them to make these beaded braids. If you
don’t, the disks and other items you require are easy and
inexpensive to obtain and you can use any cords or threads plus a
wide range of beads and findings. This is a well laid out,
user friendly guide for either a total beginner, or somebody like
myself who has made plain braids and wants to add beads and make
jewellery. A few pages are given to showing what you need and
explaining why you need it; if you already make jewellery you will
already own most of it. Start making your first braid without
the beads and learn the basics of kumihimo in the next
chapter. This includes working out how much thread you need,
setting up the disk, the braiding sequence and finishing off.
Wisely this first piece is not just a cord but made into a bracelet
which, even without beads, is a beautiful and wearable piece.
The rest of the book shows you how to add beads, make a variety of
different cord types and fill your jewellery box with some gorgeous
bracelets, cuffs and necklaces. If you want to see them all
at a glance there is a double page at the front with a gallery of
the finished pieces. Each project teaches you something new
and has some very clear photographs and diagrams showing how to set
up the disk, use different types of bead and achieve various
effects. There is a list of what you need, useful tips, and
sometimes ideas and patterns for variations. I would
recommend this book to anybody who wants to try kumihimo and make
their own jewellery.
*myshelf.com*
I found this book very interesting, as I have tried Kumhimo before,
but not with beads. It has 12 projects that are clearly set out
with photos, detailed instructions and tips. In the projects
sections you get a "shopping list" of supplies which takes the
guess work out of lengths and quantities required. I intend to try
a project soon, but the hardest thing now is to choose which one to
try first.
*Amazon*
Fantastic guide to Kumihimo, 12 beautiful, colourful projects
designed to teach the technique in an easy to follow guide. I love
that the photography matches the instructions perfectly and don't
confuse the reader the way that other craft guides do. I look
forward to making the projects from the book and starting a new
crafting love affair, a very well written and inspirational
book.
*Amazon*
The book contains 12 projects to make bracelets and necklaces. Each
project is explained with great clarity along with detailed
diagrams and excellent photographs of every stage of making. All
materials and equipment are listed and explained and can be
purchased from the author's website which is noted on the inside
front cover but not thrust at you on every page. Alternative
colourways are suggested and shown for each project. As someone who
has done some kumihimo before I was familiar with most of the
patterns, but I have never used beads with my braiding before. To
be honest I've always been a bit scared of working out how many
beads I'd need and the length of thread to use. The book tells you
exactly what you require to make an item of a certain size then
gives information on how to adapt to be larger or smaller. Whether
you are a complete novice or have prior experience of kumihimo or
beading you are sure to find this book beneficial and inspirational
and with the quality paper you expect of Search Press publications
it's a lovely book to browse through and stroke (crafters will know
what I mean!).
*Amazon*
I have been intrigued by the technique of Kumihimo for a while and
as an avid fan of jewellery - making as a hobby, really wanted to
learn this fascinating new skill as I had seen the beautiful braids
that can be made using it. As a complete beginner to Kumihimo, I
was looking for an instructional book with projects suitable for
starters like me and was not disappointed by this lovely book.
Although at first glance the technique looked a bit complicated,
thanks to the great detailed, step by step instructions in this
book, accompanied by clear pictures - a bit of perseverance and
time was all that was needed to get me started on braiding. This
book contains detailed sections on techniques, the tools needed to
make a start, as well as instructions on 'finishing off' (essential
to getting a nice professional look) - then twelve projects
including bracelets and necklaces. I am really pleased with this
book, and look forward trying many of the projects within, once I
have perfected the technique further and I'm sure my friends and
family will love getting these braided bracelets as gifts.
*Amazon*
I really enjoyed reading the paperback version of this book. It’s
the perfect resource for either a beginner or a more advanced
Kumihimo braider. Everything you need to know to start Kumihimo
braiding is clearly explained and the whole book is
well-illustrated. There is an explanation of the materials required
and the techniques needed to start braiding and information on how
to finish the braids attractively. The book also explains how to
progress making Kumihimo braids using beads. There are 12 twelve
gorgeous projects to follow which are explained with great clarity
aided by clear photography. The projects enable a variety of
different techniques to be learned including beading from a
centrepiece outwards (in the case of the Jade bracelet); making an
eight-braid cuff (Maxine – which is created from two beaded
Kumihimo braides); creating a seven-braid bracelet (Jodie bracelet)
and making a square cord bracelet (Katie). I’ve fancied learning
how to do Kumihimo braiding for a while and after reading this
great book I am inspired to start braiding as soon as I can gather
the supplies together!
*Amazon*
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
