SOCIAL MEDIA

8/13/13

Prima Bead's August Bead Blogger Project: Kumihimo!

As Prima Bead Blog Team members, each month the team and I will have a product or product line to highlight in our designs. August's highlighted product line is "Kumihimo". Kumihimo is a technique that involves intricately braiding multiple strands of fiber, with the option of adding beads into the design. Here's a picture of the items I was sent to play with:


Here's a little bit of background on Kumihimo from Wikipedia:

Kumihimo cord was first created by a form of finger-loop braiding. Later tools such as the marudai and the takadai were employed to make more complex braids in shorter time. The most prominent historical use of the cords was by samurai as both a functional and decorative way to lace their lamellar armour and their horses' armor (barding). Kumihimo cords are now used as ties on haori jackets and obijimes, which are used for tying on an obi (kimono sash).

A modern kumihimo disk made of firm but flexible foam plastic with notches can also be used as a portable marudai. The disks have 32 notches that create the tension that is usually created by tama on a marudai. The disks are convenient but are not as versatile as the marudai. On a marudai, any thickness or amount of string can be used, but on a disk only 32 or fewer strand braids can be made from thin cord. Also, marudai can make many types of braids, such as flat, four sided, and hollow. There are also rectangular foam cards, especially suitable for making flat braids.

The foam kumihimo disk is lightweight, portable, and significantly more affordable than the traditional marudai. Braiders can create complex braids up to 24 bobbins and incorporate beads. There are many sizes and shapes of foam disks available. Look for a disk that is sturdy and doesn't bend easily, otherwise the braider will experience uneven tension.
I've been playing around with my kit, and will show you what I made coming up later this week!

Necessary Legal Stuff: I am honestly reviewing the products above which I have received free of charge from Prima Beads, and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to them.
Kerrie Slade said...

Can't wait to see what you make Molly!

Kerrie :-)

Krafty Max Originals said...

Very excited to see what you make!! ~KM

Diwakar said...

Hello, Molly Alexander. So good to know you through your profile on the blogger. I am glad to stop by your blog "Beautifully Broken" and your thoughts on God "Grateful living" Thank you for your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and your sharing sense of peace and hope. I am blessed by your sharing. Well I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 33 yrs in the great city of Mumbai, India a city with great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with love of Christ to bring healing to the broken hearted and to give them new life, hope, future and purpose. We also encourage young people as well as adults from the West to come on a short term missions trip to work with us. We would love to have you come with your family to work with us by being hands and feet of Jesus Christ to bring healing to the broken hearted. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. I will be writing to you on your email id too.