How to Make 50 Fabulous Kumihimo Braids: A Beginner's Guide to Making Flat Braids for Beautiful Cord Jewelry and Fashion Accessories

by Beth Kemp

Overview

From the best-selling author of Twist, Turn & Tie 50 Japanese Kumihimo Braids comes the must-have craft guide for anyone looking to learn the ancient art of Japanese braiding

Whether you love working with your hands, making jewelry, tying knots, or mindful activities, kumihimo—the Japanese art of cord braiding—is worthwhile. Learn how to make stunning kumihimo braided friendship bracelets, jewelry, and fashion accessories with a simple square loom (included with this kit)! In this beginner's guide to braiding, you'll find:

• 50 flat braiding projects, from simple braids to complex pieces, including friendship bracelets, shoelaces, bag handles, jewelry, watch straps and more
• A square braiding loom to remove and practice on
• Specially-drawn graphics, detailed instructions, tools, and materials needed for success
• Clear, annotated illustrations and photographs of the completed project
• Projects that start out simple and increase in complexity, offering beginners and more advanced braiders the chance to broaden their skills and creativity

Crafters will also find creative jewelry making ideas and plenty of ways to experiment with colors and textures, finish projects with clasps, decorative loops, tassels, and more. It's a must-have craft book for tweens, teens, and adults who want to try braiding their own handcrafted jewelry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764167997
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	02/01/2016
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	635,796
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

After a decade in the prestige jewelry industry, Beth Kemp's love of textiles and beading led her to the art of kumihimo. Today, she shares her knowledge of the art form through articles, books, classes, and her online store, Braid and Bead Studio.

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2016
In her second book, Kemp (Twist, Turn, & Tie 50 Japanese Kumihimo Braids) explores flat braids using a kumihimo plate. The plate, which is square and contains slots in which the thread is placed, enables the creation of a flat braid, similar to the traditional friendship bracelets that children make. The introduction provides a pictorial guide to using the kumihimo plate, selecting fibers for braiding, managing the threads, and starting and finishing the braid with knots, beads, and findings. The focus of the book is the projects, which are graded by skill level and feature numerous beginner-level designs as well as some for intermediate and experienced braiders. The pages have a consistent presentation, with braiding diagrams and instructions along the bottom, and supplies, tips, and techniques at the top. Ample color photographs, both close-up and full-view, show the detail and construction of each braid. Though bracelets are the first use that comes to mind for braids, Kemp explores a variety of uses for kumihimo, employing the finished braids as a basis for necklaces, bookmarks, and even shoelaces. A cardboard kumihimo plate is included with the book, allowing crafters to explore braiding with a square plate without investing in a separate foam tool. A template for constructing a square plate is also included—a nice backup for when the cardboard one is separated from the book. VERDICT This user-friendly introduction to kumihimo using a plate is an excellent companion to Kemp's previous book.

Library Journal