Member Spotlight: Beth Hardy
Beth Hardy is truly a traveling kumista. After serving 21 years in the US Navy and a second career working as a horticulturist, Beth and her husband bought an Airstream Travel Trailer, gave up their permanent address, and started an adventure that many of us only dream of. That was 8 years ago. Her hobbies […]
Member Spotlight: Giovanna Imperia
Giovanna Imperia is a self-taught kumista. She began braiding in the early 90’s after she purchased a book written by Rodrick Owen. That led her to more books written by Makiko Tada and Jacqui Carey, a book on how to use the ayatakedai by Makiko’s mother and then to actual workshops with the braiding greats […]
Member Spotlight: Jane Peterson
Jane Peterson began beading in 1996 and discovered Kumihimo braiding in 2010 when she took a Marudai Basics class with Adrienne Gaskell. As a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner since 1988, she found she needed a creative outlet to balance her work life. The endless possibilities of braid structures along with bead stitches and techniques fascinates […]
Member Spotlight: Carolyn Haushalter
Carolyn is a well regarded kumihimo teacher and has been very gracious with her time teaching online classes for AKS members. Her most recent class featured her favorite braid, edo yatsu. Visit her website, www.topcenter.typepad.com, to find information on threads, beads, and kumihimo topics of interest such as, kongoh gumi Z spiral vs. S spiral.
Member Spotlight: Rosalie Neilson
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 […]
Member Spotlight: Lyn Christiansen
Lyn Christiansen is an artist based in Boston, Massachusetts. Her kumihimo based artworks combines braids using a wide range of materials in wall hangings, 3D compositions, and wearables. In 2016, she curated and exhibited in “Twisted Again: The New Kumihimo”, an international group show at Lasell College in Newton, MA, featuring innovators using Kumihimo techniques. […]