Beading Kits - Other Techniques

Vintage Rope Necklace

This project is made on a Marudai braiding table. With this kit you will learn both how to set up the Marudai and how to do the actual braiding. Your efforts will result in a charming vintage style rope lariet necklace. The incredible Paula Radke beads really make this project sing. Making the Kumihimo necklace is so very fast that you will no doubt want to make lots of them for yourself or for gifts. Easy matching earrings finish off this ensemble.

Additional Supplies Required: Small sharp scissors, tape measure, New super glue or Hypo glue, marudai braiding table, eight 85 gram tama (bobbins), small drawstring bag, weights for the bag equaling about 340 grams, including ½ roll of quarters, utility “S” hook, chop stick.

Australian Springtime Necklace

Australia’s national flower is the Wattle. It is the very first sign of spring and blooms around August and September. It is everywhere on the highways and makes for sensational viewing. This necklace commemorates this seasonal change. The base of the necklace is netting. After the base is made the Wattle flowers and special Wattle leaf clusters are added. While Wattle is bright yellow, if you choose shades of purple you’ll have an equally realistic arrangement of Lilacs.

Additional Supplies Required: Small sharp scissors, Bee’s wax, Clear nail polish

Seafoam Necklace

This project is made on a Japanese Marudai braiding table. The literal translation for Marudai is “round table” and that exactly what it is—a round table about three feet high with a small hole in its center. With this kit, you will learn both how to set up the Marudai and how to do the actual braiding. You can complete this necklace in just a few hours. Making the Kumihimo necklace is so very fast that you will no doubt want to make lots of them. The braid used to make the Sea Foam Necklace is a most unique and inventive kumihimo braid. When completed, it will seem as though strands of interior beads are caged inside of an exterior braid. And you can see that the color way is reversed for the second side of the necklace to achieve a complete color transformation. The video below was provided for my class at the Bead and Button Show. I hope you find it helpful.

Additional Supplies Required: Small sharp scissors ,tape measure, New super glue or Hypo glue, wire cutter, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, marudai braiding table, twelve 85 gram tama (bobbins), small drawstring bag, weights for the bag equaling about 510 grams, ½ roll of quarters, utility “S” hook, chop stick.

Spring Bouquet

As taught at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee. This class was sold out at Bead and Button but now you can buy the kit. The fantastic stitch is Mosaic Stitch. This stitch is most unique and quick. There are ribbon embellishments that finish off this beautiful bracelet.

Additional Supplies Required: Small sharp scissors, E6000 glue, clear nail polish, toothpick

Gold and Sliver Classic Band Bracelet (Pattern Only)

A delicate, intricately woven band of Sterling Silver wire may best be described as…a classic. Simple and yet at once exquisite, it is the single piece that is most often chosen by the world's leading designers and upper end shops for their displays. It says style and taste, luxury and bearing. Now there is a way to make this timeless hallmark of elegance in kumihimo on your marudai. Using wire to make a flat braid, you can then combine it with a fancy bugle bead mum over the clasp. This one is sure to become one of your lasting favorites. This project is made on a traditional marudai with 13 weighted tama.

Show It Off Kumihimo Necklace

This project looks a lot like a crocheted rope, but instead of taking days to make it will only take a few hours. It is made on a Japanese Marudai braiding table. You will learn both how to set up the Marudai and how to do the actual braiding. Making the Kumihimo necklace is so very fast that you will no doubt want to make lots of them. Learning this technique and the use of the Marudai will then allow you to continue with many more advanced projects. The video below was prepared for my class at the Bead and Button Show. I do hope you find it helpful.

Additional Supplies Required: Small sharp scissors, tape measure, New super glue or Hypo glue, marudai braiding table, eight 85 gram tama (bobbins), small drawstring bag, weights for the bag equaling about 270 grams, ½ roll of quarters, utility “S” hook, chop stick.

Twist, Counter Twist Necklace

Twist & Counter Twist is a most unique and inventive kumihimo braid. When properly completed, it will seem as though strands of interior beads are caged inside of an exterior braid. Using this ancient Japanese braiding technique, you will easily be able to complete the braided portion of your necklace in just a few hours. You will then learn how to add some Coraling and Frothy Fringing for a super fringe effect.

Additional Supplies Required: Small sharp scissors, tape measure, New super glue or Hypo glue, marudai braiding table, twelve 85 gram tama (bobbins), small drawstring bag, weights for the bag equaling about 510 grams, ½ roll of quarters, utility “S” hook, chop stick.

Garden Walk Bracelet

Many people believe that there are only two ways to insure 4 straight sides in beadwork, looming and square stitch. This is simply not true. Here is another way that will be a great stitch to add to your repertoire. This stitch is called Mosaic Stitch and since the holes will be going opposite of the previously mentioned techniques you will find this to a very useful stitch, indeed. What I present here is a new way of working that will produce not only straighter rows but a more stable result overall and the end result will be a fabulous bracelet which includes an interesting spiky flower, as well.

Additional Supplies Required: Small sharp scissors, Bee's wax, Clear nail polish, Chain nose pliers

Chata Cabochon

This is an easy way to bead a cab. The cab in your kit may not look exactly as the one in the photo. No prior beading skills are required.

Additional Supplies Required: E-6000 jewelers glue, bee's wax.

Hearts and Flowers Amulet Bag

The Silk is by Australian Artist Jenny Haskins. The pansies are hand painted and photo transferred onto the silk. The backing for the silk and the back of the purse are suede. This project is very easy.

Additional Supplies Required: FabricTac bonding agent.

Here Fishy

I love art glass! It is all so beautiful. When I buy a piece I cannot wait to make a great piece of jewelry so that I can wear it and have others admire it as well. This tribute project is made on a Japanese Marudai braiding table. The literal translation for Marudai is “round table” and that exactly what it is—a round table about three feet high with a small hole in its center. While making this project you will learn both how to set up the Marudai and how to do the actual braiding. Your efforts will result in a charming round beaded rope upon which you can show off the special fish and bubble bead set. Making the Kumihimo necklace is so very fast that you will no doubt want to make lots of them. Also, learning this technique and the use of the Marudai will then allow you to continue with many more advanced projects.

Additional Supplies Required: Small sharp scissors, tape measure, New super glue or Hypo glue, marudai braiding table, eight 85 gram tama (bobbins), small drawstring bag, weights for the bag equaling about 270 grams, ½ roll of quarters, utility “S” hook, chop stick.

Lacy Vintage Necklace

This is a very simple and easy technique. The piece in the photo is about eighty years old, but you can duplicate it almost exactly. You will have fun making this one.

Additional Supplies Required: Bee's wax, small sharp scissors

Crystal Choker

This is a beautiful crystal choker made with Austrian crystals. No prior beading experience is required.

Additional Supplies Required: Flat nose pliers, wire cutter.

Double Twist with Flower Connector

This is a most unique twisting stitch which yields an extremely stable thick rope using nothing but a beading needle, beads and thread. This project requires neither prior beading skills nor any special equipment.

Additional Supplies Required: Small sharp scissors, bee's wax, clear nail polish