In just a few weeks, beading enthusiasts from around the world will gather in Milwaukee, WI for the 2016 Bead & Button Show. This year instructors will be teaching 15 Kumihimo classes, including a 4 day Master Class taught by Adrienne Gaskell.
Saturday June 4 – Tuesday June 7
Kumihimo Master Class – Textured Beaded Braids
Instructor: Adrienne Gaskell
Description: Your kumihimo braids become your jewelry canvas limited only by your imagination. Sculptural beaded layers and three dimensional elements take shape simultaneously as you braid, using the 2-drop kongoh (round braid), both eight and twelve warp, and continuous beaded braids. When your braid is complete, so is your unique and original piece of jewelry.
Students will learn how to add dimensional elements during braiding to give braids an embellished look without requiring additional time after braiding; how to braid around flexible cores and rigid armatures; basic design principles to help you in planning your own unique jewelry.
Prerequisites: Students should have experience using a marudai. The program will benefit students who have a desire to advance their skills to a professional level.
Textured Beaded Braids
Photo by Carl Israel
Sunday June 5th
Kumihimo Double Edge Branch Necklace
Instructor: Yin Guang
Description: Create this beautiful kumihimo braided necklace on a foam disk. The piece sparkles with 6/0 seed beads on one edge and magatama beads on the other edge.
Students will learn many techniques and tips for working with round foam disks.
Kumihimo Double Edge Branch
Photo by Yin Guang
Instructor: Janna Lehmer
Description: Using leather and a few beads, we will bulk up kumihimo to give this braided necklace a nice, pronounced look. Students will learn how to braid with leather, incorporate beads, and finish with a glue-in acrylic magnetic clasp.
Renaissance Leather Braid
Photo by Jenna Lehmer
Monday June 6
Instructor: Yin Guang
(This class is also being taught on Tuesday 6/7)
Description: Make a beautiful kumihimo braid using a foam disk. This bracelet is made with 8/0 seed beads on colorful S-Lon cords. Students will learn many techniques and tips for working on a round foam disk.
Kumihimo Hook Braid
Photo by Yin Guang
Tuesday June 7
Instructor: Jann Lehmer
Description: By switching one element, you will create a one-of-a-kind focal component taking kumihimo to a whole new level. Students will learn how to manage long lengths of wire while braiding, unique finishing technique.
Prerequisites: Working knowledge of round kumihimo.
Fantasy Wire Kuihimo
Photo by Janna Lehmer
Instructor: Yin Guang
See Monday June 6th for description
Wednesday June 8
Instructor: Linda Richman
Description: This pretty silver bracelet is one of the most wearable pieces you will ever make! The pewter flowers do not go all the way around the braid, which gives the piece a nice feel on the wrist. Students will make this braid on the disk, but will not finish in class.
Students will learn the formula for this pattern and many tips, techniques, and variations.
Prerequisites: Experience with the Yatsu Kongoh (2-drop) braid.
Kumihimo Bracelet Formula
Photo by Linda Richman
Thursday June 9
Instructor: Adrienne Gaskell
Description: Make this unique kumihimo tassel necklace while learning to braid around a core support. Emphasis will be placed on marudai braiding techniques while maintaining consistent tension when using different sizes of beads in a braid. Students will learn how make beaded tassels with an ombre color blend, this great technique can be used for other jewelry projects. Also, how to create beaded accents mid-braid without the difficulty of counting beads.
TOHO Presents: Desert Sunset
Photo by Robert Diamante
Friday June 10
Instructor: Adrienne Gaskell
Description: These elegant kumihimo bangle bracelets are designed to be stacked together for added drama and are also great worn individually. You will design your own styles, colors, and embellishments. Kit includes materials for three bracelets. Students will learn how to make kumihimo bracelets with a seamless join using a marudai (Japanese braiding table); how to create a creative connection using easy techniques that require no advanced skills.
Prerequisites: Two of the embellishments require right-angle weave experience. However, students will have plenty to choose from that do not require any advanced training.
Beluga Bangles
Photo by Robert Diamante
Tierra Cast Presents: Check Me Out: 16 Warp Hollow Basket Weave Kumihimo
Instructor: Rebecca Combs
Description: You’ll add several new skills to your kumihimo repertoire in this fast-paced intermediate class. Students will warm up with a basic 8-warp basket weave braid (Edo Yatsu) and then quickly move on to the 16-warp hollow braid. Pendants will vary in color and style. Students will learn the 8-warp and 16-warp hollow basket weave kumihimo braiding techniques; how to incorporate a core to stabilize your braid; how to prepare the foam kumihimo disk for braiding, including calculating cord length, determining core size, when and why to use weights, and bobbin management.
Prerequisites: Previous kumihimo experience required. Students should be proficient in the basic round braid (kongoh gumi) on the disk.
Tierra Cast Presents: Check Me Out: 16 Warp Hollow Basket Weave Kumihimo
Photo by Rebecca Combs
Instructor: Monica Han
Description: Elevate the basic kumihimo technique with pearls and metallic accents for a bracelet that looks magnificently elegant. Make a pair of fun earrings and a pendant to match.
Students will learn Kumihimo braiding with different sizes of beads; how to add an additional layer with seed beads.
Royal Treatment
Photo by Monica Han
Instructor: Monica Han
Description:
Weave this multicolored pearl bracelet with a kumihimo braid — the bangle will be sturdy and bubbly. Students will learn basics of kumihimo braiding with and without beads on a round disk.
Bubble Bangle
Photo by Monica Han
Beginner Kumihimo: 2-Drop Braid on the Marudai
Instructor: Linda Richman
Description: Make this bracelet while learning all the basics of working on the marudai. After this beginner class, students will have all the information needed to make beautiful beaded braids in many sizes and designs on their own. Students will learn braiding on the marudai, ending techniques, and more.
Beginner Kumihimo: 2-Drop Braid on the Marudai
Photo by Linda Richman
Kumihimo on the Marudai: Beginner Continuous Beaded Braid
Instructor: Linda Richman
Description: Make beautiful continuous beaded braids on the marudai. If you love kumihimo and want to expand your design options, or are new to the art, this is the class. (These braids can not be done on the disk.) Students will learn all techniques used for consistent results, including tools, tips, and design ideas. All the basic skills taught in this class can be applied to many traditional and non-traditional kumihimo braids.
Kumihimo on the Marudai: Beginner Continuous Beaded Braid
Photo by Linda Richman
Saturday June 11
The Show Stopper: Beaded Kumihimo Necklace
Instructor: Rebecca Combs
Description: Learn beaded kumihimo as you make this dramatic necklace featuring Unicorne Beads teardrop borosilicate beads. This all-levels class will cover both kumihimo fundamentals as well as advanced design concepts. Kits will be available in several colorways.
Students will learn how to prepare the foam kumihimo disk for braiding including: calculating cord length, estimating number of beads, when and why to use weights, and bobbin management. Students will also learn the 8-warp round kumihimo braiding technique (kongoh gumi) and how to lock beads in place; finishing techniques including binding, cutting, and gluing.
The Show Stopper: Beaded Kumihimo Necklace
Photo by Rebecca Combs
For more information go to http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/