The Pip Cluster Bead Necklace Kit was a real hit last month so I have added more colors this month. They are all beautiful.   This mixture of techniques, from some of my past kits, combines braiding with beads and the Cluster Bead Necklace (2011). 
This adjustable length necklace is made with 8/0 seed beads and 5 "clusters" of Pip beads. The beaded portion measures right around 16" with 6" of braided tails on either end. The necklace slips over your head and you can adjust the length of the necklace depending on what you are wearing. I like this flexibility.

Cost:  $30 - $34

C-Lon Bead Cord

8/0 Toho and /or Miyuki Seed Beads

Pip Beads

Barrel Bead for Adjustable Closure

Wide Eye Needle

Instructions with Photos

Colors (from left to right): Metallic Bronze & Hematite, Nebula & Galvanized Silver
New Colors: Sea Foam Crystal & Blue Rainbow, Gladiola and Crystal Rainbow, Picasso Turquoise & Travertine 

In Japan, Carolyn really took to braiding on the square plate creating flowers inspired by Makiko Tada. The flower pictured is made with Japanese Metallic Threads and a Pearl accent. Exquisite!

"Starting in the Middle"  This is a fabulous technique to have in your Kumihimo "tool box". When you want to use a focal bead, whether you are making a beaded necklace or a cord only necklace, sometimes the hole in the focal bead is too small to pass the finished braid. With this technique, you actually start with your focal bead in the middle and braid from the middle and work your way out to each end. You'll be braiding half the necklace at a time!  As long as the unbraided cords will pass through the middle of your focal bead, you can use this technique.  This technique works for single focal beads as well as multiple focal beads. In the photo above, I threaded 8 strands of C-lon Bead Cord through my focal bead. Then I situated the focal bead in the middle of the 8 cords and tied a knot on one side of the focal bead so it would not slide off. I dropped the tails, the knot and the focal bead (in that order) through the center of the disk. Next I placed the cords in the appropriate slots on the disk, loaded my beads and braided. When I was done with the 1st half , I simply took everything off the disk, untied the knot near the focal bead and then put the completed half of the braid through the center of the disk. Repeat just like the first half of the braid...load beads, braid and you've done it!

Try a Square Braid. Here it is in 10 simple steps on the foam disk. (It would be 4 steps on a Marudai)! When I am practicing a new braid, I cut the number of lengths I need by 1 yard each and braid up a sample. For the braid in the diagram below, choose two colors. Cut 6 of Color A and 2 of Color B. Place on disk in positions shown in step one. (Pairs of cords straddle the N (32,1), S (16,17), E (8,9), W (24,25)  "dots"). These numbers correspond to the numbers on the Hamanaka, BeadSmith 6" and BeadSmith Mini Disks and most others! Braid each of the steps as shown. You will not rotate the disk! The numbers are only there to help in the beginning. I urge you to try to recognize and internalize the braiding sequence in your mind so you don't need to use the pattern. Sounds hard at first, but it is really very easy and it is a great goal. Later, you can experiment with more colors and you can place the colors anywhere you like. When you come up with a combination you like, make sure you take NOTES. Notes are great to refer back to when you might want to duplicate a braid again! Kumihimo Tip #5 (2011)  Have fun!
Curious? Give it a try and send your pictures to me at  [email protected]. Enjoy!

Metallic Iris Green/Brown

Topaz/Mint Julep Lined
Aqua/Opaque Yellow Lined

S/L Milky Amethyst