Two Faced Square Braid on the Marudai by Yuko Yoshida
Sunday, August 27, 9:30 – 5:00
Marudai
Have fun learning to create this square braid with Yuko. The front has one pattern and the side a different one; this creates different wearing options especially when you have multiple necklaces of different lengths.
Class Description: The square braid has different patterns on the front and side. The floral pattern appears on the front and the dot pattern appears on the side. Creating two necklaces of different lengths, you can enjoy four different atmospheres with combination of patterns. In the class, students will learn how to braid two-faced square braid and finish it into a necklace.
Kits: Kits cost $30. Kits will be purchased directly from the instructor at the In PersonGathering AND MUST BE PAID FOR IN CASH. Kits will contain two colors of Japanese precut silk threads and magnetic clasps. Students can choose their own colors.
Student Equipment: Marudai, 12 tama with cotton leader threads, counter weight (about 40% counter weight of total tama weight), and a chopstick.
Experience Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: Students should be experienced and comfortable working with Japanese precut fibers.
Yuko Yoshida is a kumihimo artist and teacher. Kumihimo attracted her at first encounter in 2009. Since 2012, she studied with Makiko Tada. While mainly making Obijime for Kimono with traditional patterns, she also focuses on creative works. She favors Maru-dai, Taka-dai, and creating original braids by adding small changes to traditional techniques.
When asked about Yuko, Makiko responded “Yuko is a smart, creative braider who is very talented as is reflected in her beautiful work. She has developed incredible skills over many years of studying and practice. For that she has received the title of Takumi (master craft person) from Tokusaburo Hirosawa — who was in charge of kumihimo in Iga last year. Yuko also received her PhD from Kyoto Institute of Technology.”
Beaded Button Necklace by Jacqui Carey
Sunday, August 27, 9:30 – 5:00
Marudai
Using a beautiful, vintage button as a special feature, create an elegant, tassled necklace using a flat braid made of silk and beads.
Class Description: Repurpose a vintage button to create a central feature on an elegant necklace. Students will learn how to prepare a beaded pure silk warp and how to make a fine flat braid with a beautiful drape that lends itself to this project. Finishing instructions will also be given, detailing tasseled ends and assembly with a jewelry clasp.
Buttons and colour options will vary.
Kits: Jacqui will contact students directly regarding purchasing kits for the Beaded Button Necklace. Kits will contain the Feature button, Japanese silk, Rocaille beads, small bell caps, clasp and beading needle. Note buttons and colour options will vary.
Student Equipment: Marudai with eight bobbins, counterbalance weights, chopstick, s-hook and a warping post.
Experience Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Prerequisites: Students need to have some experience in working with 8 bobbins.
Jacqui is a maker, teacher, author and researcher of braids, having specialized in the subject since graduating from a BA (Hons) degree in woven textiles in 1985. Her work as a practicing craftsperson is known worldwide, and her knowledge shared through teaching and numerous publications.
While studying for her degree in textiles, Jacqui discovered that weaving and other related subjects — such as braiding — combined her love of mathematics and art. Through the study of complex weaving structures she was able to unravel the mysteries of kumihimo. While her work in this area stems from the traditional, it is the creative possibilities that inspire most of her braids. The joy of making braids is enhanced by exploring a wide range of materials and playing with structure, color and patterns.
Jacqui has written many important books in the field of kumihimo as well as other textile areas — from “Creative Kumihimo” where she introduced the grid system to help analyze braid structures, to “Beads and Braids” — the first and perhaps most comprehensive book on incorporating beads in braiding — to “The Book of Braids” where she introduced a new approach to creating kumihimo braids based on her analysis of the basic movements on the Marudai, to “Chinese Braid Embroidery” which documents this unique Chinese Miao textile tradition of using braids to create incredibly intricate designs used to embellish a variety of garments.
Visit Jacqui’s store at: https://www.careycompany.com/
Class Description: Students will learn how to alternate warps to change the braid direction and form a 3D braid resembling a cascading waterfall. This Kumihimo braid has a very playful rhythm, and once mastered, is very fun to braid.
Kits: Kits cost $36. Kits will be purchased directly from the instructor at the In Person Gathering AND MUST BE PAID FOR IN CASH. Kits will contain one package of Japanese precut metallic threads. Students can choose their own colors.
Student Equipment: Marudai, 24 tama with cotton leader threads, counter weight (about 40% counter weight of total tama weight), and a chopstick.
Student Supplies: Painter’s tape
Experience Level: Advanced
Prerequisites: Students should be experienced and comfortable braiding 24 tama braids on the marudai and working with Japanese precut fibers.
Japan’s Makiko Tada is largely responsible for the growing international interest in the art of Kumihimo braiding. She creates designs from both traditional patterns and from her own original designs and is an expert on the long history of kumihimo. After restoring ancient national treasure braids from the Kyoto National Museum, she dedicated them to Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Hayatama Shrine.
Makiko Tada conducts research and lectures in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia and authored the seven-volume “Comprehensive Treatise of Braids”. While completing her Doctorate of Engineering at Kyoto Institute of Technology she received funding from the Japanese government to invent a new braiding machine for composite materials. This machine will be vital for making components for the construction and aerospace industries.
Dr. Makiko Tada’s 40 years of research, artistry, authorship, and invention assure the art of Kumihimo braiding will touch and enrich many lives across the world.
A Looped Start for 16 Element Braiding by Rosalie Neilson
Sunday, August 27, 9:30 – 5:00
Marudai
This is a technique class intended for braiders wishing to expand their repertoire from 8-tama to 16- tama braid structures. Rosalie will also teach you how to make a looped start which is great to know.
Class Description: This workshop explores a series of different 16-tama braid structures. The workshop is designed for participants familiar with 8-element braid structures who wish to expand their repertoire into 16-tama structures. Using two colors of silk or synthetic silk, braiders will begin the sampler by making an 8-element braid halfway into the braiding elements. The 8-element braid can be round, flat, or square. The eight non-active elements are placed in a plastic bag until ready to use. When the 8-element braid is the desired length, the remaining eight tama are attached. The beginning and the ending of the braid are joined to continue braiding with sixteen tama. The braid structures in the study include Kongō Gumi, Naiki, Oimatsu, Tsukushi, Mitake Gumi, Shinonome, Hira Genji, Ishidatami, Chidori, and Sasanami. Different color arrangements and instruction variations will yield further design possibilities for future research. The sampler will be approximately 32” in length.
This is a Technique Class intended for braiders wishing to expand their repertoire from 8-tama to 16- tama braid structures. Learning how to start a braid with a loop is useful for linking shorter braids together to form longer cords.
Materials: Fee cost $40. Materials will be purchased directly from the instructor at the In Person Gathering. Braiders will receive two coil-bound handouts: a 21-page instruction booklet documenting 8-tama braid structures and a 19-page booklet documenting 16-tama braids. The instructor will provide incidental supplies such as tapestry needles and cotton yarn for knots and cord around braid.
Student Equipment: Marudai, bag with counter weight equal to 45% of 16 tama (be sure the weights can be divided by two). For the 8-tama braid, put half the weight in bag; for the 16-tama braid, use the full weight. Example: Sixteen 100-gram tama (3.5 ounces each) weigh 56 ounces. 56 ounces x 45% = 25 ounces. Use half weight 12.5 ounces for 8-tama braid; full weight 25 ounces for 16-tama braid. Chopstick, S-hook for attaching bag to braid, scissors and tape measure.
Student Supplies: Two different colors of silk or synthetic silk (4 elements Color A and 4 elements of Color B).
Pre-packaged silk and synthetic silk are available online at various websites. If you have silk on cones, and want to make your own braiding elements, be sure the length is 108 inches. You will need four elements of Color A and four elements of Color B for a total of 8 elements. The loop will be a two-color 8-tama braid. When the additional tama are added, and the loop brought together, there will be a total of sixteen tama.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Note: Examples of various Kumihimo interlacements can be seen on my website.
Rosalie Neilson has been making kumihimo braids for more than 35 years. In 1980, she visited a Tokyo kimono factory, became enamored with kumi braids, took a private class, and came home with a marudai, kakudai, and two instruction books written in Japanese. Throughout the years she has developed into a true master of the art with exquisite designs using both color and geometry.
“My love of color comes from being raised in Oregon. During the majority of the year, nature appears in shades of green, blue, and grey. In this softly lit environment of neutrals, bright colors stand out in sharp contrast.” And so they do in her braids.
Her love of color doesn’t stop there. She was intrigued by the number of ways a braider could use two colors with the Hira Kara Gumi braid and began exploring each one. In 1998, after 18 years of exploration with this braid structure, Rosalie, with the help of her mathematically inclined brother, documented and published the Thirty-Seven Interlacements of Hira Kara Gumi. This was followed by the Twenty-Four Interlacements of Edo-Yatsu Gumu. A third book Kongo Gumi – A Cacophony of Spots – Coisl – Zags – Lines was published in 2013 and documents all 1,157 variations of the 16-strand Edo-Yatsu using just two colors. These are true labors of passion and kumihimo love!
Visit Rosalie’s store at https://www.rosalieneilson.com/
Class Description: Fun with color and texture. Using the same braiding technique create three different braids. All three braids will include tin thread along with choices of flat and/or round leather, copper thread or gold thread. Twist the braids together and add a silver plated clasp for a fun necklace.
Class Materials: $60. All materials will be provided by the instructor and purchased at the In Person Gathering. Students do not need to supply anything.
Experience Level: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
Katherine has a degree in studio art from Macalester College. She enjoys many fiber-related arts, including weaving, spinning, ply-split braiding, and braiding with Sami tin thread. Whether it is spinning the yellow pages, computer tape, or adding telephone wire to weavings and braids, she likes finding something different and fun to do with her art. She is not afraid to break the rules and try something new and encourages others to do the same. Katherine has taught Sami-inspired bracelets at The Weavers Guild of Minnesota, Midwest Weavers Conference, Minnesota Federation of Weavers and Spinners, and other venues in the Midwest. After teaching hundreds of students, she is still having fun sharing this Sami-inspired craft with others.
Shimmering Wire Necklace by Giovanna Imperia
Sunday, August 27, 9:30 – 5:00
Marudai or Disc
In this workshop you will create a one-of-a-kind, stunning necklace using wire or wire and fiber. Giovanna will share a technique which offers infinite possibilities
Class Description: In order to create a stunning shapeable necklace, students will learn to braid around a temporary core using two contrasting colors of wire, or wire and fiber.
A temporary core is a core that is used while braiding and it is then removed after the braid is completed and no longer under tension on the Marudai or a disk. This technique executed in wire offers almost infinite creative possibilities: no two pieces will look alike — depending on what core is used and how the finished braid is manipulated.
During the workshop students will measure their own wire and set up their equipment. In the process, a variety of tips and tricks will be discussed.
Class Fees: $45 which include instructions, enough wire for the project. Fees will be paid directly to the instructor at the In Person Gathering.
Per Giovanna: “Wire will be provided in class as part of the class fee. But students are also welcome to bring some fiber of their choice or wire of their choice. If students want to bring their own wire, these are the specs: two complementary colors of 32 gauge, approximately 100 feet each.
The best wire source is parawire.com. They have the widest range of currently available colors in 30 and 32 gauge. Please note, manufacturers tend to discontinue colors — particularly matte ones — without notice. So, make sure you have enough in your stash. If you choose their uncoated wires, keep in mind that they will tarnish over time if not treated or cleaned regularly. My suggestion is that the whole necklace should be uncoated wire to make future cleaning easier.
Another wire source is firemountaingems.com. They carry some wire from parawire, but also have their own line called Zebra wire. I have not worked with that specific brand, but I suspect it can be mixed and with parawire.”
Student Equipment: Marudai, 16 tama — weight: 70 gr, or 85gr, or 100 gr, chopstick, appropriate counterweight in a bag, S hook, warping pegs or C clamps and inexpensive scissors.
OR
Hamanaka foam disk, 16 EZ bobs, small weight such as 2 oz fishing weight or washer, warping pegs or C clamps and inexpensive scissors.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Students should be comfortable braiding at least 8-strands braids on the Marudai or the disk. They should also have some basic knowledge of how to work with wire.
Recommended reading: “ Kumihimo Wire Jewelry” by Giovanna Imperia.
Giovanna Imperia is the author of Kumihimo Wire Jewelry and many articles on braiding and weaving. Her work has been exhibited and is included in private and museum collections throughout the United States and internationally. Giovanna’s work focuses on the exploration of tactile and organic nature of fiber while pushing the boundaries of the expected definition of body adornment and 3D objects. This is accomplished by actively involving the user through the concept of “transformation” – the idea of actively engaging the user in shaping and transforming the art piece.
Giovanna is President of the American Kumihimo Society.
Ombre Bracelet by Adrienne Gaskell
Sunday, August 27, 9:30 – 5:00
Marudai or Disc
Make an easy, triple ombre patterned bracelet that is fun to wear and even more fun to make. If you get frustrated with counted bead patterns then this is the perfect project for you!
Class Description: Make an easy, triple ombre patterned bracelet that is fun to wear and even more fun to make. If you get frustrated with counted bead patterns then this is the perfect project for you! You will learn Adrienne’s ‘Ombre for Dummies’ technique that makes the process of blending colors in a beaded Kongoh much easier and faster than the counted methods, you can even use a bead spinner! Students will also learn how to make the ombre beaded magnetic clasp.
Kits: Kits cost $50. Kits will be purchased directly from the instructor at the In Person Gathering. Kits will contain Toho 11º seed beads and Aiko beads. Size #11 beading needle, beading thread, braiding cords, big-eye needle, and glue-in magnetic clasp.
Student Equipment: This project can be made on either a foam disk with 8 plastic bobbins or a marudai, 8 weighted tama and 25% counterweight. Bead mat, scissors, measuring tape. Optional: Bead spinner and needle, task light, magnifiers.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Student should be proficient braiding and setting up a beaded Kongoh Gumi on the disk or marudai and have a basic knowledge of flat peyote stitch.
Adrienne Gaskell’s innovations explore the ancient Japanese art of kumihimo. Her jewelry incorporates gemstones, pearls, and beads and has been featured in “Showcase 500 Art Necklaces” by Lark Books, Bead&Button’s Bead Dreams competition, and the Toho Design Challenge. She exhibits at juried art shows and galleries across the county. Her teaching resume includes Braids 2012 in Manchester England, Braids 2016 in Tacoma, WA, Bead & Button show since 2006, Japanese Kumihimo Society and Toho Bead Company in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Hiroshima Japan. Adrienne’s popular DVDs, Beaded Kumihimo on the Marudai, and More Beaded Kumihimo on the Marudai were the first instructional videos for braiding with beads on the marudai.