Just when I thought there could be nothing more new with kumihimo when along comes another inspired instructor and designer with another innovation!
Cindy Grayson is a seasoned kumihimo jewelry instructor who came up with a way to help users visually layout their beads and create unique graduated bead patterns of their own!
I recently received her first book, independently published, Bead Runway Technique Pattern Series Volume 1 for review. It is smaller than the usual jewelry making book. Kumihimo projects are highly portable so it makes sense to be able to pop this book into the bag!
The book is colorful which is not surprising as Cindy is a graphic designer by trade. It is different from many book designs which have a lot more white space. So I found reading it harder going. But on the other hand, it meant that I read more carefully! That really helps as Cindy packed a lot of information in the book.
For example, the Appendix has charts for cording sizes and what kind of beads they fit as well as one for the number of beads per warp for 1 inch of finished braided length. Helpful info for any kumihimo enthusiast.
You can also see a flip through of the book here.
How the beads are visually arranged prior to stringing to the typical 8 warp disc method is achieved by using 8 lines of beads. The focal beads are laid down first. The other graduating size beads are then follow in multiples of 8. These graduate down in size as you progress out both ways.
Cindy developed her Bead Runway (patent pending) tool to specifically help with the layout. This tool is only available for US deliveries via Cindy's shop. As you can see below, it consists of two concertina style sections, each of which has 4 channels. A helpful ruler is on one side. The Bead Runway is also very portable!
You do not absolutely need this tool to do the visual layout. But it is handy to keep beads in place and in order. You know what I mean - 8 lines of beads on a bead board can shift very easily!
A basic layout pattern is included in the Technique section of the book which will allow anyone to begin using their own beads. But there are also projects with specific beads to follow and learn from. Once the layout technique is tried out and understood, beaders can go on to design their own necklaces and bracelets.
The project section includes instruction on how to work with different kinds of beads, how to plan a pendant placement and how to work in segments.
I particularly like the use of beaded extensions which are the sections around the back of the neck. Cindy's idea of making them interchangeable with magnetic glue on end caps is brilliant! These lengthen otherwise short necklaces, complete necklaces if the focal beads are limited and so forth. As she mentioned, if the length is suitable, these extenders can also be used as bracelets.
Shown below are examples of simple extender but in the book, there are also braided extenders to inspire.
Cindy teaches kumihimo classes both locally and on tour - the Bead and Button show in Milwaukee in June and then in Philly in August, 2019. But she is working on web classes. She is also developing teacher training to allow other instructors to teach the Bead Runway technique in their local areas.
This book suits kumihimo fans who are tired of doing the same old thing and want to create their own graduated kumihimo designs.
Giveaway
If you'd like to win this giveaway for a copy of Bead Runway Technique Pattern Series Volume 1 (book only), please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is for US, Canada and Europe only.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, May 20, 2019. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Before You Go:
- Book and Disk Review - The Prumihimo Disk
- Book Review - Kumihimo Wire Jewelry Made Easy
- Book Review - Kumihimo Basics and Beyond
Disclosure
This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
Wow! Those are beautiful! Thank you for the opportunity to win! I am a blog subscriber and FB follower.
ReplyDeleteKatrina Peebles
Katrina@katrinapeebles.com
Bead Runway? Sounds interesting. Although I already love making Kumihimo jewelry, I have only scratched the surface of what is possible. Doing a ‘double drop’ is already a technique I use...but oh, how I could use new inspiration to pique my creativity.
ReplyDeletethis looks like what I've been wanting! I want to create my own designs, but don't know how. Experimenting wastes a lot of time and material.
ReplyDeleteCarolineMFisher.com I've blogged about the giveaway on this site.
macfish47@cableone.net
Hi Caroline, I plan to launch web classes in October, to get updates, you can follow my kumihimo blog at www.beadrunway.com/blog
DeleteThis would be great to have. Will buy it if I’m not lucky enough to win it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!
DeleteI love kumhimo and would love this book! karla schafer karlaschafer68@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteWow! I would love to have this book. I’m just getting started with kumihimo but love the endless patterns and bead combinations. Thanks for reviewing and for the chance to own this book!
ReplyDeleteBead Runway...what a clever idea! via FB
ReplyDeleteLooks interesting. 😊 via FB
ReplyDeleteThanks you so much for reviewing my book Pearl! I am overjoyed!! Just in time for my classes at Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee in June and for Beadfest Philly in August.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. It is great to see how much more we can do with kumihimo. I have updated the post to add in your Milwaukee class.
DeleteTerry and I loved Cindy's class in Palm Coast, FL. She was so patient with anyone who was a little slower than others.
DeleteHi Theresa! Miss you guys. Hope you both are doing well
DeleteThe book is packed with details and information. The extender ideas add some great possibilities with each piece.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you find it valuable!
Deletelove kumihimo and this book looks fabulous! ty for this chance! blog follower at auravisionrose@peoplepc.com
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteThis looks very interesting and helpful. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks very interesting
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book. I have not yet tried kumihimo but would love to. Lynn @ pelletierbeads@gmail.com Thanks Pearl
ReplyDeleteI will be doing web classes for a beginner in October! Subscribe to my blog at www.beadrunway.com/blog to get updates
DeleteI love books that don't just give a pattern to follow, but teach how to develop patterns of your own. Thank you Pearl for reviewing this book and the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteLorraine Gonda
lorgonda@gmail.com
The book and took look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeletePlease note I just amended the post as the giveaway is also for Europe besides US and Canada.
ReplyDeleteA method to help designing beaded braids ... so helpful
ReplyDeleteThis book looks AWESOME I would love to win to try out the patterns thanks for the chance to win it!
ReplyDeletesally0630@yahoo.com
Good luck!
DeleteI'm an email subscriber
ReplyDeletesally0630@yahoo.com
pinterest.com/sally0630
This could be awesome
ReplyDeleteThis book looks so interesting. I am beginning to try my own designs and would love to have a guide like this. tobie.lurie at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWeb class series plan to launch in October. To get notified of updates, follow my Kumihimo blog at www.beadrunway.com/blog .also, if you have a local bead shop where you take classes your teacher can be part of the teacher training program in 2020. That way they can bring the class series to you. This also gives them the opportunity to be chosen to have an original design published in my upcoming book volumes.
ReplyDeleteI love Kumihimo and very interested in using your bead runaway for new designs. My email is mlsepanski@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSweet~Love to try new things!
ReplyDeleteThe book looks fantastic. I would love to have one. Bev
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI'm very excited about attending your class at bead and button coming up in June. I have already purchased the book but if I win I will give it to a student in the class. I have taken a few classes in kumihimo but there's always more to learn and this sounds like a new exciting technique, so I'm looking very forward to it.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait! So excited to meet everyone
DeleteEven after teaching kumihimo for 10 years, I'm always delighted to see and then learn new techniques. I haven't been doing kumihimo lately because after 10 years, it was becoming tiresome to come up with something different. I want to add a suggestion that one of my students came up with - she beaded 2 different bracelets with magnetic clasps. She would attach them together and wear them as a choker with one color in fron or one in back and then change that for different outfits. Please enter me in the giveaway. Maybe I will get bak in the mood todo more and finally use up all of the supplies I've built up over the years. I'm also a blog subscriber.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. The available patterns become monotonous. I love realizing the moment when these new concepts click in my students heads. I literally see the light bulb turn on. Their creativity grows leaps and bounds.
DeleteI'm in serious love with Kumi and this book looks great. New technique, woo-hoo
ReplyDeleteWould really love to learn more about Kumihimo
ReplyDeleteI haven't done any kumihimo for awhile now. It sure would be nice to learn these new designs as in the book. Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteWow! What beautiful designs! I hope that I am lucky enough to win a book. If not, my birthday is coming up in July.........
ReplyDeleteCarmen Bray
kayz992011@hotmail.com
Books are always useful, even if you think you know everything already. But if the book promises new information, then it's a must! And what I see from the pictures is very promising, I'd love to win it!
ReplyDeleteSusanna Crevatin from Italy
esseci54@gmail.com
Looks like some neat designs. I have done a little Kumihimo an would love to win this book to explore more patterns.
ReplyDeleteLovely giveaway!
ReplyDeleteInteresting concept and beautiful designs. To win this giveaway would make my day! It's so helpful to have a book for reference. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThis book looks amazing and I have wanted to try this technique for a long time.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an awesome book and I love the tool designed to work with the book. I would love to win this book!
ReplyDeleteSo proud of Cindy and this technique is very COOL! So happy to have met you and look forward to taking another class next year
ReplyDeleteAlways excited to learn new techniques to make beautiful things with kumihimo.
ReplyDelete