Friday, March 14 : : How to End Kumihimo Braid and Make Clasps Kumihimo cords present a unique challenge to finish. What to do with all the ends of cords/thread... How to integrate a clasp if no metal tubular findings are desired... We will learn how to end the braid by wrapping them and how to cover and hide the ends. Several ways of making clasps with fiber techniques will be explored in this class: knotted loops, as button holes, knotted buttons done with the Chinese Button Knot or with gemstones donuts, bead , toggle and loops. Kumihimo will not be taught in this class. Bring your kumihimo cords to finish or you will be provided with a braid to finish at the class. This class is a technique only class. No actual finished piece will be made.
Saturday & Sunday, April 12-13 :: The Cabochon Setting in Fiber with Overlay Design Note :: New Date A two-day workshop where you create your own piece, a brooch or an amulet, setting a gemstone cabochon with silk and nylon threads and adding free-form knotted leaves, stems, flowers and leaflets.
Purchase of a cabochon set is required, price starts at $6.00.
Good knowledge of the double half hitch knot is required. Please print the tutorial prior to class to review the double half-hitch and prepare for the class. Use Nylon #18/C-Lon or Tuff Bead Cord for the tutorial. If you do not have any on hand, ask for a tutorial kit prior to class. Bring finished tutorial to class!
Print the tutorial as a pdf document or view it as an html page
Material for the classes such as nylon and silk thread, glues, T-pins, and needles is included. Gemstones and beads are not included.
A material list with tools to bring for each workshop will be sent upon registration, but since the workshop takes place in my studio, all you are required to bring is a lunch as I have extra tools on hand. Gemstone and beads will be available for purchase, as well as tools, thread to take home for our own use after the class.
Basic written material with charts and instructions is included in all the classes. Some classes include written step by step instructions.
Discount :: Sign-up for 3 classes or more and get $10.00 off each class! Discount will be given on balance due at class.
Deposit to Reserve :: $50 per class/day. Cabochon Class deposit is $100. Balance due at the class.
Call 650.722.1160 to reserve and pay by check or by credit card. Checks and credit card payment by phone will be deposited/charged when minimum attendance is met.
Payment made by Paypal will be refunded if the class is cancelled.
Create your own amulet, brooch or earrings with a silk fan and bead edging around a gemstone donut or pie.
We will explore several methods with the use of charts and hands-on demonstration.
This class is appropriate for various levels of experience.
No prior experience is necessary!
Topics to be covered:
1. Design
2. Bead edging around the donut/pie
3. Beaded tassel
4. Methods for attaching various elements
5. Square knot braid loop
6. Cordmaking, 2 and 3 ply
7. Finishing ends and glue primer
We will explore several methods to create cording: rope making and braiding with a limited use of tools.
With charts and hands-on demonstration we will make various types of cording and discuss their possible uses. This class is appropriate for various levels of experience.
No prior experience is necessary!
Topics to be covered:
1. cords 2 ply
2. cords 3 ply
3. Kumihimo, Peruvian Braids
4. Finishing the cords and glue primer
5. Material & Use
6. Various method for attaching elements, suggestions & ideas
The Turk's Head is a beautiful ornamental knot made with one thread/cord only, similar to a braid. It is used extensively in Chinese Knotting, Japanese and Celtic designs and for tassels. Historically on ships it was used on hand railing, around stanchions or on a hammer handle to secure a firmer grip.
It is made around a larger object such as a larger cord or tube, to add a contrasting color or to join several cords. It can also be used as a covering.
The golden Turk's Head shown here is joining the two kumihimo braid together.
This particular one is a Five-Strand Turk's Head with 5 passes.
This class includes:
A color chart with 7 illustrations
An actual sample showing the main 5 steps of this knot
No experience necessary!
Braided Kumihimo Neckpiece
Create a neckpiece using a simplified kumihimo braid that can be made without the use of a maru dai, saving yourself the hassle and the expense of purchasing it. Sterling silver clasps for finishing the cording will be available for purchase.
This class is appropriate for various levels of experience.
No prior experience is necessary!
Topics to be covered:
1. Kumihimo braid (Peruvian braids), Spiral braid
2. Square knot braid loop
3. Anchoring beads tassel
4. Finishing the ends and glue primer
5. Material & Use
6. Various method for attaching elements, suggestions & ideas
How to End Kumihimo Braids and Make Clasps!
Kumihimo cords present unique challenges to finish.
What to do with all the ends of cords/thread...
How to integrate a clasp if no metal tubular findings are desired... Learn how to secure the threads at the ends of the braid by wrapping them and a good method to cover the ends.
Several ways of making clasps with fiber techniques will be explored in this class:
• Loops
• Buttons: knotted or with stone shapes and beads
• Coverings
Students will choose one set solution to make during the class depending on their level on experience with knots, such as the Chinese Button Knot and Turk's Head.
Written and illustrated directions for all the techniques shown in the class will be given.
knotted loops, as button holes, knotted buttons done with the Chinese Button Knot or with gemstones donuts, bead , toggle and loops. Kumihimo will not be taught in this class. Bring your kumihimo cords to finish or you will be provided with a braid to finish at the class. This class is a technique only class. No actual finished piece will be made.
A Chinese Diamond Knot Amulet with Bead Edging
Create your own amulet around a gemstone donut or pie.
Explore several techniques with the use of charts and hands-on demonstrations.
We will make a 3 ply cord, learn how to wrap the donut with lark heads knots and master the beautiful Chinese button knot.
This knot or rather perfectly symmetrical braid is used extensively in Chinese designs.
It makes a fabulous button as well.
This class is appropriate for various levels of experience.
No prior experience is necessary!
Topics to be covered:
1. Design
2. Cordmaking
3. The Chinese Button Knot
4. Lark Heads around Donut
5. Alternating Half Hitch Braid
6. Finishing Techniques
Creating woven style patterns with solidly knotted double half hitches:
In this micro-macrame class we will explore the many ways of creating patterns in a solidly woven style piece using only double half hitches knots.
Patterns vary from the simple to the complex, with the use of horizontal, vertical and 'reverse' double half-hitches.
Adding and removing thread to add complexity (or if you running out of thread) will be shown and practiced.
'Brocade Style' Cavandoli knotting, creating relief and wire armatures will be discussed and explored.
We will knot a sampler with the various ways described above and then we will start a piece with a wire armature to be finished after the class into a brooch, or incorporated into a neckpiece or medallion.
Prior knowledge of the double half hitch is useful, but not mandatory!
The example of Cavandoli knotting shown above use the complex 'Brocade Style' Cavandoli with nylon and silk thread, and the addition of cabochon set stones and beads.
Cabochon setting will not be taught in this class.
To see the neckpieces fully click on picture.
Cabochon Micro-Macrame Fiber Setting, a 'Master's Workshop'
Create your own piece, a brooch or an amulet, setting a gemstone cabochon with silk and nylon threads and adding free-form knotted leaves, stems, flowers and leaflets
This 2 days class is appropriate for participant with knotting experience of the double half-hitch. Please print tutorial prior to class to review double half-hitch and be prepared for the class. Print as a pdf document or view as an html page
A prior workshop with Marion is helpful!
Topics to be covered:
First day:
1. Cabochon setting theory
2. Design
3. Cabochon setting construction
Second day :
4. Leaflets & Leaf over the cabochon
5. Cording or beading as needed
6. Finishing the piece