Oh my!

Oh wow!  I hadn't realized that it had been quite so long since I've been here and posted!  (color me embarrassed!)   I have been very busy this last year, making jewelry and other things for the local Farmers Market and Craft Shows.  I'm currently getting ready for the upcoming season for the Farmers Market...it starts on April 27th.  Can you believe we have snow on the ground again though?  :-O

I have a new love to share with you all!  I recently discovered Kumihimo (Japaneses Braiding). 

I started out with a Kumi Loom, but really didn't like the lack of tension control.  I wanted to go all out and get a Marudai, but the ones online START at $105! Not....so, I was going to have my brother (who loves working in wood) make me one when one of the ladies over at InTatters mentioned that she made one with a wooden stool purchased at WalMart.  So...I went to WalMart, got a 24" tall stool for under $20, ordered 24 wooden thread spools from Ebay and then went to Home Depot with my digital scales and bought washers and bolts to make the Tama (weighted spools).

Here are some photos of my Marudai, Tama and Counterweights

24" wooden stool....much less expensive but just as effective!

Yeup, I know the hole isn't in the center...had to let my friend help me...lol



3 washers, the bolt and a bit of calk to hold it all together and the Tama weighs exaclty 70gm!



Using Fishing Weights as the Counterweight and a 1-1/2" clip on a Medium Ez-bob to hold the cord in progress.

 

Here is the beginnings of this cord going onto the Ez-bob

 

I add a length of string to the spool to hold my working thread so I can use as much of the thread a possible.



When I get to the end, I just tie together the two threads that are worked together.





After doing the second set, I take the counterweight off and continue tieing off.



Finished!

  As you can see, I'm having a blast!  You may ask what I will do with so much cord...well, I'm taking it to the Markets with me and making neck cords, friendship bracelets and key rings....also have plans to tat directly onto one of the neck cords I made with beads...yeup, you can add beads as you are making the cord too!

Can't promise to post every week, but I WILL try to post a lot more frequently than every 12 months....lol