{"id":15671,"date":"2012-06-21T06:06:07","date_gmt":"2012-06-21T13:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=15671"},"modified":"2015-07-28T19:59:32","modified_gmt":"2015-07-29T02:59:32","slug":"kumihimo-cord-jewelry-projects-polymer-clay-tutorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/kumihimo-cord-jewelry-projects-polymer-clay-tutorial\/15671\/","title":{"rendered":"Kumihimo Cord | Jewelry Projects | Polymer Clay Tutorial"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" style=\"margin: 0px; border: 0pt none;\" src=\"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/images\/blog\/2012-06\/21-kumihimo-cord-90261-049-4.jpg\" alt=\"Kumihimo Cord - Polymer Clay Tutor\" width=\"255\" height=\"188\" \/><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808080;\">Video #261:<\/span> &#8220;The Japanese braids look like they\u2019d pair perfectly with polymer pendants.&#8221; <span style=\"color: #808080;\">~Phaedrakat<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Once you have learned to make some beautiful polymer clay pendants and beads, you&#8217;re going to have to put them on something, right? Why not make your own custom braided cording, Japanese style!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese Braiding technique, traditionally done on beautiful round wooden stands that are used while sitting on the floor. There are many different styles and patterns of Kumihimo Braids, typically created using fine silk cording or thread.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As with many traditional handcrafts, modern supplies and materials can make it possible for the average person to do these ancient crafts. Here is a YouTube video that introduces the Kumihimo equipment used for higher volume production:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Zb5vy8egtQQ?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"575\" height=\"431\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You may have started to see foam Kumihimo Disks and Plates, as well as books, findings, cords and other braiding supplies, popping up in your local craft shops and bead stores. These new braiding &#8216;looms&#8217; have made it possible to learn how to make Kumihimo Cords quickly, easily and very inexpensively. Plus, with the amazing variety of patterns and possible fibers\/materials that you can use in Kumihimo cords, the possibilities are astounding!<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\">The Japanese braids look like they\u2019d pair perfectly with polymer pendants. Have you been doing that? Seems like you could match your clay to your fibers, and end up with some gorgeous pieces! Even a very simple pendant would look spectacular on one of those braided chokers. You know, I love fibers and things, too. I\u2019ve never tried anything like Japanese braiding, but I bet I would love it. I learned to sew at a young age, and always \u201ccollected\u201d bits of fabric, yarns, strings &#8211; anything that felt nice that I thought I could do something with. Does it take a long time to learn? It looks like it takes SKILLS!<\/span> <span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">~Phaedrakat<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Now I have only been making these cords for a short while, so I am not claiming to be an expert in Kumihimo techniques. But since I had a heck of a time figuring out the instructions that were printed on the card that came with my Kumihimo Foam Disks, I thought you may appreciate learning the shortcuts and techniques I figured out, during my learning curve on the subject.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><em>So&#8230;<\/em> without further ado, coming up tomorrow (Friday, June 22, 2012) <\/span><span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">in the Vol-049-4 members video at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.beadvideos.com\/back-issues\/\" class=\"external external_icon\" target=\"_blank\">Polymer Clay Tutor Library<\/a>, I will teach all of you how to make gorgeous Kumihimo cords that you can use to further customize your polymer clay beads, pendants and other polymer clay jewelry projects.<\/span><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>***********************************************************************************************<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[wp_ad_camp_1]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">&#8230;<\/span><strong> Please Note:<\/strong><\/span> A general prerequisite for all of my weekly tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends or Teardrop Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my <a href=\"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/crse\/01-more.html\">Polymer Clay Beginners Course<\/a> will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.<\/span><br \/>\n<script charset=\"utf-8\" type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"http:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ID=V20070822\/US\/hubp0da1-20\/8001\/665d546e-46e1-4c32-add0-ed05a3d7c730\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n\n\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><noscript><A HREF=\"http:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&#038;MarketPlace=US&#038;ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fhubp0da1-20%2F8001%2F665d546e-46e1-4c32-add0-ed05a3d7c730&#038;Operation=NoScript\">Amazon.com Widgets<\/A><\/noscript><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span>Other Supplies &amp; Tools:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">An alternative to purchasing a Kumihimo disc would be to make your own from foam or cardboard, though it may not have the same durability or functionality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Fiber of your choice. In the tutorial I show examples of Yarn, Ribbon, Leather, Satin Rattail Cord, Lace, Hemp, Waxed Linen, Embroidery Floss and other fibers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Heavy Charm. This will make sense when you see the tutorial.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ruler (optional).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Scissors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Lighter or Glue. It will make sense when you see the tutorial.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/cm?t=hubp0da1-20&amp;o=1&amp;p=13&amp;l=ur1&amp;category=gift_certificates&amp;banner=180TQ0K9X17QCCZQS4R2&amp;f=ifr\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" width=\"468\" height=\"60\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #808080;\">By the way, many of the <em>&#8220;shopping&#8221;<\/em> links I provide for the various tools and supplies used in my tutorials, are <em>&#8220;affiliate&#8221;<\/em> resources. That means companies like Amazon and the other suppliers I refer, pay me a small commission if you click on the links <em>and<\/em> end up making a purchase at their site. It&#8217;s not a lot, but every little bit helps in keeping the cost of my tutorials so low&#8230; at only $3.32 per month. And, the prices for products that you may purchase through my links, are exactly the same as what you would normally pay. So please do feel free to click away whenever you need to pick up a few things for your studio. Thanks so much for supporting this site :-)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong> Here&#8217;s a sneak peak of this week&#8217;s tutorial&#8230;<\/strong><\/span><a name=\"video\"><\/a><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/94086162?title=0&#038;byline=0&#038;portrait=0\" width=\"575\" height=\"323\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The full version of the <strong>&#8220;Kumihimo Cord&#8221;<\/strong> preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.beadvideos.com\/back-issues-03#vol-049\" class=\"external external_icon\" target=\"_blank\">Polymer Clay Library<\/a> in the <strong>Vol-049 Back Issue Package.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: large; color: #808080;\">Customer Feedback About Membership Value:<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Thanks Cindy for another beautifully clear tute. It&#8217;s precisely that clearness that makes your site the best of all. Friday mornings are always a treat!!!! <\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">~Lesley-S<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">So much to learn&#8230; In a nut shell &#8211; I think this is the ONLY site I will ever use!!! YEAH LIETZ TEAM! For those of you lurking &#8211; come join us. The price is right &#8211; $3.32 a month &#8211; can you believe that? You will so love it here. Peeps are great and the info is so rewarding. Hop on the bandwagon &#8211; you will not regret it! <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">~Patt-W<br \/>\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">We are extremely lucky to have talented people like Cindy and Doug who are willing to share their enormous knowledge about polymer clay for such a nominal fee. No where else is it possible to make friends with similar interests and caring hearts&#8230; your personal help for me has been greatly appreciated. I have taken all your suggestions and have I proved success in my polymer clay work. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: large; color: #000000;\"><strong>~Natalie-H<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The following topics are included in this week&#8217;s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, <strong><em>Kumihimo Cord <\/em><\/strong>video tutorial:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">See examples of Kumihimo Cords done in a variety of unique and different materials, as well as used in a variety of different jewelry projects.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Learn the reasons why you will need to use a heavy charm to keep the proper tension on your fibers as you are braiding your cord.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Find a cool way to make your jewelry designs stand out from the crowd, with your own fiber materials, textures and color combinations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity, there are many ways to come up with other unique designs of your own.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The full version of the <strong>&#8220;Kumihimo Cord&#8221;<\/strong> preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.beadvideos.com\/back-issues-03#vol-049\" class=\"external external_icon\" target=\"_blank\">Polymer Clay Library<\/a> in the <strong>Vol-049 Back Issue Package.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 575px;\" border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 200px;\"><\/td>\n<td align=\"right\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/images\/blog\/cindy-sig.jpg\" alt=\"Cindy Lietz Signature\" width=\"114\" height=\"99\" align=\"right\" border=\"0\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/images\/blog\/polymer-clay-tutor.jpg\" alt=\"Polymer Clay Tutor\" width=\"200\" height=\"26\" align=\"right\" border=\"0\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wire-sculpture.com\/517-0-1-5.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wire-sculpture.com\/affiliates\/banners\/468x60_set2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"468\" height=\"60\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Video #261: &#8220;The Japanese braids look like they\u2019d pair perfectly with polymer pendants.&#8221; ~Phaedrakat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[2383,2676,2382,2379,1059],"class_list":["post-15671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bead-projects","tag-braiding","tag-jewelry-findings","tag-japanese","tag-kumihimo","tag-member-vids"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15671\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}