Accent Bead Design!, Beaded Ornament Cover Books and Kits, Jewelry

For those of you who are interested in Braiding With Crystals we have a new instruction book for the Top and Bottom Tango Braid. This braid teaches you a new round braid and shows you now to evenly space crystals or beads along the top and bottom edge of the braid. This is an extremely versatile braid.

Satin cord was used for this example. The leaves were CZs but we have a wide variety of custom coat crystals, including octagons and cosmic shapes that would lend themselves nicely to this braid.

We also have another new braiding pattern called the Color Tipped Wave. This is a 12 bobbin braid that undulates like waves in the ocean. Both of the new braids are made on the round kumihimo disk.

This book harkens back to olde time England. If you ever look at the portraits of Henry VIII or Elizabeth I they had some great jewelry. If you had status you wore a "Chain of Office" to let everyone know. It was encrusted with gems. The Queen's jewelry was especially splendid. At the time, a necklace was called a carcenet. This book has several Carcanets that sparkle with Swarovski. For those who loved the Tiffany, we now have the Queen's Garden. Lacey flowers worked in herringbone. Rank and file will love the Medieval. A new take on netting that is easy and gorgeous! Pictures of the ornaments can be found under "Bead Kits."

Custom Color Swarovski: I have to admit I caved on this one. One look at the sparkle in these after market finishes just did me in. Most custom coats sparkle in at least 3 different colors. It makes regular color Swarovski seem almost dull. One of my new favorites is the 2mm round which sparkles so sweetly and really adds to an ornament. Who'd have guessed something so small could add so much. I also have rivoli's in standard and custom colors. Octagons, biolettes and baroques are packaged in multiples so its easy to make a spectacular set of earrings. No matter how hard we try, pictures will never do them justice.

For those who want to special order: You love the design but it has to be in purple...or blue...or both! Special order kits are available for $15.00 (above and beyond the price of the original kit). Call me and we'll take care of your special request.

Trying to save money? Consider the multi-book special. When you buy more than one book you can save. But you have to order a special to get the special price. See "Book Specials" under categories on the left of this page. The Regency Collection is not part of any special and won't be until the next book is released.

Happy Beading Everyone! I hope you like the new book!

Necklace Book: For all those people who asked "How did you make that?" the answer is now here! This book provides step by step photographs showing you how to make the braid and turn it into a beautiful necklace. It includes directions for 10 necklaces, including braiding with beads. For those who love the kumihimo disk and really want to put it through it's paces, this book is for you. Those of you who have enjoyed the Kumihimo To Go kit will love this book! It is written in easy to understand English and has projects for all skill levels and all ages. $21.95.

Don't forget, I stand behind everything I sell. If you have any questions, just go to the Contact Us portion of this website (see left column) and ask. I will respond.

What is Kumihimo To Go? Kumihimo To Go is an inexpensive introduction to japanese braiding. The kit includes everything you need to make your first necklace. A kumihimo disc, bobbins, cord, end caps and clasp....and those all important instructions in English!. This is braiding by the numbers. Step by step photographs teach you the simple moves that create a uniform round braid. And best of all, you can take it anywhere!

On a plane, at the office, in a car, on the phone, while you wait, watching television. Anywhere! The disc is light and the patterns are repetitive so they are easy to remember.

Kumihimo To Go is an easy way to show off focal beads. Rather than stress over the many stringing components needed to show off that special bead, try making a perfectly color coordinated cord using inexpensive fibers. But don't limit yourself to yarns, make a leather bracelet for a man using strips of suede. How about custom tie-backs for curtains or shade pulls? Handles for purses or bags? Headbands? Edging for quilts and clothing? Embellishment for stamped cards and hand crafted books?

The disc and bobbins are reusable so that you can make an unlimited number of items.

Radically different looks can be had just by changing the type of cord used. Try chenille yarn or embroidery floss. Check out the Kumihimo Gallery to see what is possible using the Kumihimo to Go kit. There are additional instructions available for other braid shapes and patterns.

Traditionally Kumihimo braids were made using a marudai which is a wooden stool with a hole in the center. Today's marudais are generally crafted in beautiful woods and can be very expensive. The bobbins, also made out of wood, are filled with lead to very exact weights...and again, very expensive. A marudai and 8 bobbins might run as high as $250.00. Yikes! And while they are beautiful, they are also big and heavy. Certainly not something you can take on a plane or tuck in a purse. That is why Kumihimo To Go is so great! You have the joy of making something truly beautiful without breaking the bank or your back!

Happy Braiding!