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Onward kits are on PRE-ORDER. They will be ready to ship by May 29th. If you have in-stock and pre-order items together in the same transaction, everything will ship together when the pre-orders are ready.
Beaded kumihimo is an incredibly versatile technique. Once you've learned the basic braiding moves and how to lock beads in place, you can create endless variations by changing up the colors and types of beads and their placements.
Whenever I'm demonstrating kumihimo I hear two types of comments: either, "I love kumihimo!" or "I could never do that." The difference between these two groups is whether or not they've tried it.
I get it. Kumihimo can be intimidating. Eight different cords. All those beads. What goes where?
I've been teaching kumihimo for almost 17 years now and I know from all that experience that you CAN learn beaded kumihimo. All you have to do, it take a deep breath and give it a try.
I've designed our new Onward necklace kits with the brand new braider in mind. The kit includes pre-cut and knotted cords in four different colors to make it easier to see the braid structure and to help you notice ASAP if something is out of place.
You'll be working with a mix of easy-to-string size 8 Japanese seed beads. Using a bead soup mix means that you don't have to worry about miscounts. Have an extra bead on one warp at the end of the braid? Don't worry about it. Just take it off. Short a bead? No problem. Just string another.
Unlike most of our other beaded kumihimo necklaces, Onward starts and finishes with a long section that's braided without beads. This long lead gives you a chance to warm up to the braid and get the feel for the movements before you have to start thinking about the beads.
To finish off the Onward necklace, we're doing something a little bit different: wire wrapping the ends and making our own wire s-hook clasp! Wire wrapping gives the Onward necklace a warm, organic feeling that's playful and relaxed, exactly how I hope you feel when making and wearing your new necklace. This finishing technique can be used in lots of different ways and is another great jewelry making skill to have in your toolbox.
I know that trying something new is more fun and less scary when you do it with friends and that's why I'm demoing how to make the Onward necklace at a live beading party at Soft Flex Company! I hope you'll tune in and join us live on Wednesday, June 11th. You can join the live stream on either Facebook or YouTube and ask your questions in the comments. These parties are always lots of fun!
If you miss the live party, don't worry! You can always watch the replay later.
We're taking pre-orders now for the Onward necklace kits. We expect they'll be ready to ship by May 29th so you'll get them in plenty of time to bead along with us during the live beading party with Sara Oheler from Soft Flex on Wednesday, June 11th.
Each Onward kit includes:
- detailed step-by-step written instructions
- big-eye needle
- size 18 Superlon braiding cord
- size 8 Japanese seed beads
- 26" Soft Flex craft wire
- 18ga Soft Flex craft wire
The kit makes one necklace up to 28″ long.
Techniques used: beaded kumihimo (beginner) and wire wrapping (beginner)
You’ll need the following tools (not included) to complete the project:
- foam kumihimo disk (regular 1/2″ thickness)
- 8 weighted bobbins (~23g each)
- clip-on center weight (~45g)
- scissors
- binding thread
- wire cutter
- round nose pliers
- hammer & nylon bench block or nylon jaw pliers (optional)
Save the date! Join Rebecca Combs from Design & Sara Oehler from Soft Flex Company for a Live Beading Party on Facebook & YouTube on Wednesday, June 11th where Rebecca will demo how to make the Onward necklace!
This is an original design by Rebecca Ann Combs of Design & Adorn.
This kit and the included pattern are offered for sale for your personal use only. This pattern may not be copied, transmitted or taught without the express, written permission of Design & Adorn.