Tactile Sparkle, Mental Spark
Kumihimo: Cords and Beaded Work in Progress
So… This past week I re-immersed myself in writing on the new Firekeeper story. I’d taken some time away from prose to double-check details and suchlike, but last week I dove back into writing. The story is developing nicely, although I still am doing a lot of meditating, both pen in hand and while most of my brain is busy doing other things.
As part of that meditation, I’m teaching myself a new craft technique. It’s an expansion of Japanese kumihimo – a sort of fancy way of braiding cords. I’ve done sixteen strand round cords before, but this variation involves adding beads. Beading – as many of you know – has been a weakness of mine since my mom taught me to sew beads and sequins on felt when I was quite young.
During my college years (in which I’ll include grad school), I taught myself both loom weaving and brick stitch. Somewhere along the line, I learned how to do counted cross stitch with beads. I have fond memories of sitting on the sofa while Roger Zelazny read to me and I made little counted cross stitch beaded thingies, including some silver roses. These eventually became either gifts or Christmas ornaments. It’s funny, but while I never really got into embroidery, add beads and I became addicted.
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Beaded Dolls: Storm and Rainbow
I moved from counted cross stitch to peyote stitch (both odd and even count). Later, I taught myself how to sew beads onto figures. Jim set two of my figures in a lovely mirrored shadowbox so it’s possible to see them in the round. I also beaded the toes of a pair of moccasins… Beading on leather is tough!
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Peyote Stitch Bracelets
I’ve also done a variety of stringing projects, although I will admit that working with crimp beads (which you need to do to attach most findings to wire) continues to be something I find really difficult. One of the reasons I enjoy working in polymer clay is that I can make my own beads…
Now I’m off to write down some of what I’ve been thinking about. Then maybe I’ll pick up the kumihimo disk and add a few beads onto the cord while my backbrain adds elements to the story.
