Videos for Viewing Classes and …
If you are registered for either The Odyssey of Kongo and Naiki by Rosalie Neilson or 3D Explorations on Takadai by Giovanna Imperia, both sessions are available for your viewing. See below for information on Accessing Your Classes.
Many of the Live Lecture and Interactive class videos are posted. Additionally, the prerecorded Becharmed Beaded Braids is posted.
Happy Braiding.
Accessing Your Classes
*** To Access Your Classes:
• In the upper right hand corner of the AKS web page select My AKS
• The second item down is your Virtual Gathering Classes
• When you select a class you will see more information about your upcoming class. Instructions, Zoom links (where appropriate) and videos
REMINDER: You must have a Zoom account and password to log in to AKS classes. Free Zoom accounts are available.
News – Class Formats have Changed:
Instructors will offer their classes in different formats.
Interactive ($90) – Students will work along with the instructor via Zoom and get real time feedback. The class size is limited to 20 students. After the live class students will have access to the class recording and will be able to message the instructor with additional questions.
Viewing Only ($30) – Classes that are offered in an Interactive format will be available for a reduced fee to students who only want viewing access of the Interactive Class recording. The recording will be available within 72 hours of the interactive class. Students will have the opportunity to message the instructor with questions and comments.
Live Lecture ($45) – Class will be presented live on Zoom. Students will be able to ask questions via chat. After the live class students will have the opportunity to message the instructor with questions and comments. Each class will be recorded, edited and posted in the class information. Posting the video generally takes between 48 and 72 hours.
Prerecorded ($45) – The class video will be provided by the instructor. The video will take the students from concept and setup to completion of the project. The step by step format is geared for different levels of experience and includes instructor demonstrations. The instructor may also provide additional support videos in addition to the class video. Students will have the opportunity to message the instructor with questions and comments.
Instructions and Detailed Supply Lists – Will be available on the website one week prior to class.
Questions? Contact [email protected]
April Virtual Gathering Classes
3D Explorations on the Takadai by Giovanna Imperia
$30.00 – $90.00
Interactive (20 spaces) $90 (for class formats descriptions CLICK FOR MORE INFO)
Viewing only $30
Instructor: Giovanna Imperia
Saturday, April 2 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Eastern and Sunday, April 3 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Eastern
Since the last intro classes for the Baby Takadai and the Takadai, you may have many opportunities to explore interesting designs with color and textures. Now is time to take your exploration a step further by experimenting with 3D designs.
What are 3D designs you may ask? How about folds, pockets, twists and turns? And much more?
Full Description
Since the last intro classes for the Baby Takadai and the Takadai, you may have many opportunities to explore interesting designs with color and textures. Now is time to take your exploration a step further by experimenting with 3D designs.
What are 3D designs you may ask? How about folds, pockets, twists and turns? And much more?
This concept is based on the assumption that on the Takadai (Baby or Regular) you have a series of bundles on the left and the right arms which are independent from each other. Since the bundles are independent from each other, they can be moved around the Takadai causing the braid to twist or fold. In this class you will learn the basic mechanics of how to move bundles around the Takadai to achieve your own 3D designs. Specifically, you will work on three techniques:
• Split braids • Fold-overs • Pods
While we will be working with Mercerized cotton, there are even more creative opportunities with wire, thermoplastic or a combination of traditional and non- traditional materials.
Note: this is an exploratory class designed to expand your creativity. At the end of the class you will have a sampler but no finished piece of jewelry.
Day 1: Students with interactive spots are encouraged to set up their Takadai prior to class so that they can braid along with the Instructor and get real-time feedback including tips and tricks specific to each design.
Day 2: The second session will be the next day to give time to the interactive students to continue experimenting with their own designs. The Instructor will offer real time feedback and discuss challenges students may have encountered.
Instructor: Giovanna Imperia
Giovanna 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.
Saturday, April 2 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Eastern and Sunday, April 3 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Eastern
Class Format
This class is offered in two formats: Interactive and Viewing:
Interactive consists of two 2-hour session presented via Zoom, one on Saturday and the next on Sunday. The interactive students will braid along with the instructor and get feedback from the instructor. There is a maximum enrollment of twenty (20) Interactive students. Interactive students will also have access to the class videos.
Viewing offers students the two sessions as videos between 48 and 72 hours after the live class. The videos will be available for two months after the second class. There is an unlimited student enrollment for Viewing students.
Basic Equipment and Materials
Either a Baby Takadai or a full size Takadai.
Mercerized cotton from Lunatic Fringe, Size: 10-2, One color of your choice
Experience Level:
You must know how to set up your Baby Takadai or regular Takadai. Starting with a point is helpful but not critical. You must know how to braid at least Anda Gumi (plain weave) on either equipment. Videos on how to braid on the Baby Takadai from a previous class will be available to registered students to review. The Instructor will not be able to use any class time to review the basics.
Making a Statement with Braids and Cords by Robyn Spady
$45.00
Live Lecture (for class format description CLICK FOR MORE INFO)
Instructor: Robyn Spady
Saturday, April 2 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Eastern
Statement jewelry is bold and unique. Plus, it’s perfect for incorporating your braids, cords, trim, and other items into something expressing to the world your personality and who you are as a fiber artist. In this class, Robyn will demonstrate techniques for transforming braids, cords, and more into wearable pieces of jewelry .
Full Description
Statement jewelry is bold and unique. Plus, it’s perfect for incorporating your braids, cords, trim, and other items into something expressing to the world your personality and who you are as a fiber artist. In this class, Robyn will demonstrate techniques for transforming braids, cords, and more into wearable pieces of jewelry . . . from a pair of earrings made from a braid as short as 6” to a show piece incorporating multiple braids and cords that co-mingle together. Special attention will be made in the selection and use of commercial clasps and other findings as a way of finishing pieces to wear. And a couple of techniques for making your own clasps will also be shared.
Instructor: Robyn Spady
Robyn Spady is a weaver with over 50 years of experience. She also has a passion for passementerie techniques, including sennit braiding. Robyn is fascinated by the infinite possibilities of crossing threads and loves coming up with new ideas to create braids and trim and transform them into something new and exciting.
Saturday, April 2 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Eastern
Class Format
Standard Format is used for this class and consists of one 2-hour session presented via Zoom during which the instructor will share design ideas and techniques for you to use going forward. Students will be able to ask questions using the Zoom chat function.
Class Materials
Braids, cords, and other decorative items.
Experience Level
No experience is required
The Odyssey from Kongo to Naiki by Rosalie Neilson
$30.00 – $90.00
Interactive (20 spaces) $90 (for class formats descriptions CLICK FOR MORE INFO)
Viewing only $30
Instructor: Rosalie Nielson
Saturday, April 2 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Eastern and Sunday, April 3 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Eastern
The layout of 16-element Kongō Gumi changes four times before returning to its original starting position. Using any of these four layouts as the starting position yields the exact same design in Kongō. However, if you change the Kongōinterlacement to that of Naiki, a surprise occurs: two different designs can be created depending on which Kongō Gumi layout is used. Likewise, if the clockwise and counterclockwise steps are repeated twice in each direction, a third and fourth design occurs.
Learn which layouts create the two distinctive Naiki designs and how to change from one to the other within the same braid.
Full Description
The Odyssey consists of two sessions of braiding where different layouts of Kongō Gumi inform the patterns of Naiki, and vice versa, where different layouts of Naiki inform the patterns of Kongō Gumi. We will be using 16 elements for each sampler, eight elements of Color A and eight elements of Color B.
Day One Sampler: Kongō as the Guide for Naiki
There are four movements in Kongō Gumi before the Tama return to their original starting positions. Using the color layout for Kongō Gumi as the initial starting point, learn how to develop two unique designs for Naiki. The designs are determined by which of the four Kongō layouts is used as the starting point. We will alternate lengths of Kongō with lengths of Naiki. Handout will include several design options for homework.
Day Two Sampler: Naiki as the Guide for Kongō
There are eight movements in Naiki Gumi before the Tama return to their original starting positions. Using one of the Naiki Gumi layouts discovered in Day One, learn how to develop up to four different designs for Kongō. The designs are determined by which of the eight Naiki layouts is used as the starting point. We will alternate lengths of Naiki with lengths of Kongō. Handout will include several design options for homework.
Instructor: 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 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/
Saturday, April 2 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Eastern and Sunday, April 3 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Eastern
Class Format
This class is offered in two formats: Interactive and Viewing:
Interactive consists of two 2-hour session presented via Zoom, one on Saturday and the next on Sunday. The interactive students will braid along with the instructor and get feedback from the instructor. There is a maximum enrollment of twenty (20) Interactive students. Interactive students will also have access to the class videos.
Viewing offers students the two sessions as videos between 48 and 72 hours after the live class. The videos will be available for two months after the second class. There is an unlimited student enrollment for Viewing students.
Note: Rosalie will provide a class preparation assignment for setting up your Marudai prior to the first class.
Basic Equipment and Supplies
Marudai
2 ropes each of 2 colors of Japanese pre-cut silk , artificial silk or cotton weaving thread. This will be used to create 8 tama (elements) of color A and 8 tama of color B.
Experience Level
This class is for advanced marudai braiders who are proficient with Kongō Gumi and Naiki, allowing them to switch back and forth easily between these two braid structures. In addition, you should be able to set up your marudai before class as described in homework section.
Chained Shells by Makiko Tada
$45.00
Live Lecture (for class format description CLICK FOR MORE INFO)
Instructor: Makiko Tada
Saturday, April 2 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Eastern
Students will learn how to make a new braid that was created by Japanese kumihimo artist Ikuyo Nishi. The name of the braid reflects the look of repeating connected seashells. In addition to learning this unique braid structure students will also learn how to place decorative accents beads in different positions on the braid. This braid can be used to create beautiful jewelry pieces, trimmings or decorative cords.
Full Description
Students will learn how to make a new braid that was created by Japanese kumihimo artist Ikuyo Nishi. The name of the braid reflects the look of repeating connected seashells. In addition to learning this unique braid structure students will also learn how to place decorative accents beads in different positions on the braid. This braid can be used to create beautiful jewelry pieces, trimmings or decorative cords.
Instructor: Makiko Tada
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.
Saturday, April 2 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Eastern
Class Format:
Standard Format is used for this class and consists of one 2-hour session presented via Zoom during which the instructor will share design ideas and techniques for you to use going forward. Students will be able to ask questions using the Zoom chat function.
Basic Equipment and Materials:
Round disk or Marudai.
Sixteen strands of rattail are required for the round disk while 16 warps of pre-cut Japanese silk or metallic fibers are needed for the Marudai. The beads on the samples are 4-5 mm.
Experience Level:
Heart Sasanami by Masumi Tada
$45.00
Live Lecture (for class format description CLICK FOR MORE INFO)
Instructor: Masumi Tada
Sunday, April 3 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Eastern Time
The “Heart Sasanami” braid is a 24-strand, flat, braid created by Sumie Kiyosawa with a variation by Masumi Tada. It can be made on a marudai or on the square plate. A simple twist in the Sasanami structure allows for an elegant beauty heart design that is embedded in the braid. It is perfect for a bracelet, necklace or for a cord to hold eyeglasses.
Full Description
The “Heart Sasanami” braid is a 24-strand, flat, braid made on either a marudai or on square plate. A simple twist in the Sasanami structure allows for an elegant and beautiful heart design that is embedded in the braid. It is perfect for a bracelet, necklace or for a cord to hold eyeglasses. As with any braid, changing color, textures and fibers will change the look from cool and fanciful to chic and sophisticated.
Don’t let “24-strand” frighten you. Masumi makes it easy and takes your braiding to a new level!
Sumie Kiyosawa designed the Heart Sasanami braid and presented it at workshops to the Japan Kumihimo Society in 2019 in Tokyo and Kyoto. Masumi is teaching the design with the permission of the designer.
Instructor: Masumi Tada
We first met Masumi Tada in October 2020 at the inaugural Virtual Gathering when she wowed us all with her octo plate designs and braiding Masumi has studied kumihimo braiding techniques for more than 20 years and was awarded a doctoral degree in the replication of ancient historic Japanese braids, thus contributing to Japanese national treasure restorations. Her studies have included techniques of marudai, takadai, ayatakadai, disk, plate, and Kute-uchi loop braiding, which she sees as the core technique from which many other Japanese braiding techniques evolved. And, of course, Masumi along with her mother-in-law, the acclaimed Makiko Tada is our Octo Plate expert.
Sunday, April 3 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Eastern
Class Format
Standard Format is used for this class and consists of one 2-hour session presented via Zoom during which the instructor will share design ideas and techniques for you to use going forward. Students will be able to ask questions using the Zoom chat function.
Basic Equipment and Materials
Square plate or Marudai
The braid requires two colors. You will need 12 sections of silk, 6 of each color folded in half. Or you may use satin cord.
Experience Required
Project is appropriate for braiders who have some experience braiding on a square plate, disk or marudai.
A short video tutorial on how to set up the elements on the square plate will be available to registered students.
Becharmed Beaded Braid by Adrienne Gaskell
$45.00
Instructor: Adrienne Gaskell
Prerecorded Class (for class format description CLICK FOR MORE INFO)
Available Saturday, April 2nd after 12:00 noon
This versatile project elevates beaded braids into the realm of jewelry design. With some slight pattern changes the Becharmed Beaded Braid can be made into a necklace or bracelet. Students will learn an innovative method for incorporating jewelry components while braiding.
Full Description
This versatile project elevates beaded braids into the realm of jewelry design. With some slight pattern changes the Becharmed Beaded Braid can be made into a necklace or bracelet. Students will learn an innovative method for incorporating jewelry components while braiding. Charms and heirloom trinkets as well as gemstones and pearls can be used to create a piece of jewelry as unique as the maker.
Instructor: Adrienne Gaskell
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 BeadDreams 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.
Class Format
This class is prerecorded. The instructor will have multiple videos of demonstrations coordinated with the class instructions.
Techniques Taught in Class
- Adrienne’s easy technique for ensuring evenly spaced charms
- Braiding around a wire core
- How to secure beading wire in a braid
- Perfect wire wrapped loops to attach charms
- How to open and close a jump rings properly
Basic Supplies and Equipment
- The beads used for the beaded braid are size 8º seed beads or a similar size bead that can be strung onto CLon or SLon Bead Cord (Tex 210 or #18).
- The charms can vary in size and shape. They can be stacked and varied or all be the same. Many examples and different methods of attachment will be part of the class.
- The Becharmed Supply list.
- Disk or Marudai
Experience Required
Project is appropriate for braiders who are experienced working making a 8-strand beaded kongoh braid on a disk or marudai, including setting up the disk or marudai for braiding.