Friday, Saturday, Sunday
May 1 - 3, 2026
at Museum of Beadwork in Portland, Maine
The Mysteries Unlocked Kumihimo Design Retreat is an amazing exploration of design theory and color. You'll learn what you need to design your own original kumihimo jewelry! You'll know how to customize a beaded pattern to your exact size requirements and desired color palette. Leave with the practical skills to take an idea from concept to written pattern to finished necklace!
Explore color theory as it applies to glass beads (all those different finishes complicate things) and confidently select beads that you KNOW will look great together?
Join me, Rebecca Ann Combs, for this three-day design experience that will open up a whole new world of creative opportunities! Invest in yourself and get on the fast track to design mastery. This intimate gathering allows tons of one-on-one time with me as I distill my years of experience into accessible information you can use now.
What's included?
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An amazing exploration of design theory and color. You'll learn what you need to design your own original kumihimo patterns. You'll know how to customize a beaded pattern to your exact size requirements and desired color palette. Leave with the practical skills to take an idea from concept to written pattern to finished necklace!
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The 100+ page design text book by Rebecca Ann Combs.
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Lunch on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
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Wine & cheese during First Friday reception at Museum of Beadwork Friday evening
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Farewell lobster dinner Sunday evening. (You can’t come to Maine and not have a lobster!)
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Tea & snacky snacks during class.
What's not included?
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Lodging. There are lots of great hotels, bed & breakfasts, and AirBnBs a short drive from the museum.
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Transportation
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breakfast
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dinner on Friday or Saturday
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beads & supplies for your project. You’re encouraged to bring special beads and focal pieces from your stash. You’ll also have access to amazing bead shopping at Caravan Beads. (Caravan Beads and Museum of Beadwork are in the same building.)
How much is it?
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$999 per person when you register by September 15th
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Early bird bonus! When you register by September 30th you also get an 8×8 memory book with all of the best pictures from the retreat. Photo books will be ready approximately 8-12 weeks after the retreat.
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Here are the answers to a few of the most commonly asked question...
Will we be working on the disk or the marudai?
The skills you learn can be applied to braids on either the disk or marudai. I encourage you to bring whichever equipment you usually work with at home.
What are we going to make?
You're going to write your own kumihimo pattern! Unlike most classes this isn't about us all making a specific, predetermined design chosen by the teacher. You're here to unlock your design talents and to learn HOW to come up with your own designs.
What are the prerequisites in terms of kumihimo skills?
So long as you are comfortable doing beaded kumihimo (dropping beads into an 8-warp round braid) you have all the technical skills needed.
What about all that math? You can do it even if you don't consider yourself a "math person." The math is just addition, subtraction, multiplication & division. No algebra! I encourage you to use a calculator and I break everything down for you into a straightforward step-by-step process.
Why Portland, Maine? Portland is an awesome artsy town and is the home of the incredible Museum of Beadwork!
What is the cancelation policy?
We know that life can be unpredictable and that is why we highly recommend that you purchase cancellation and travel insurance just as you would for any other vacation package. Because so many moving parts have to work in harmony for an event like this to be a success, once you register we are counting on your attendance. We reserve the venue, catering, and other professional services on your behalf.
Fifty percent of your registration fee will be refunded for cancellations at least 60 days prior to the start of the retreat. There will be no refunds, store credits, or transfers to other events for cancellations less than 60 days prior to the retreat.