lacemaking, kumihimo, braiding and haberdashery
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New scissor kits - We're all mad here

Alice bag charm beads braid braiding charm kit kumihimo scissor scissor keeper

New scissor kits - We're all mad here

Alice may have thought that but it doesn't stop us here at EC HQ creating more scissor keepers. This is our Queen of Hearts design which will be offered with a variety of charms to enhance the pattern.

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Simple effects in kumihimo

bag charm braid braiding charm crafting japanese lady kit kumihimo Purple scissor scissor keeper sparkly

Simple effects in kumihimo

Inspiration is everywhere but if you are going to design complicated kits it's always good to remember that beginners want to make pretty things too.  Here at EC HQ we are working a series of scossor keepers / bag charm patterns and kits.  So inspired by these lovely Japanese lady beads (after all, kumihimo is Japanese braiding) we made up a simple scissor keeper design using black cord and sparkly purple thread.  The braid seems to have a spiral texture to it, boing in and out.  This is a really simple effect to achieve - the cord is 1.5mm but...

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Braiding with thin cord - SLon and beads

beads braid braiding kumihimo

Braiding with thin cord - SLon and beads

Yesterday I decided to try out some new beaded Kumihimo braids that to be basis of our new kits. This has reminded me of two of the key things you need to remember when working with thinner threads and beads and kumihimo disks Keep a spare disk If you have been using cord to make your braids, the slots in your disk will start to get bigger to match your cord.  Even if you use thinner 1mm or 1.5mm, moving to SLon cord is a much thinner cord and the slots may not grip as well. One of the things that...

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It's Saturday, get your crafting on

crafting saturday trends update

It's Saturday, get your crafting on

It's Saturday and time to get your crafting on. Here is our weekly round up of trending on the web. Make yourself or someone you care for a lovely little pouch with SewKateSew's free buy + diy nail polish pouch. It's sparkly. We like sparkly. Easter is early this year and John Lewis have some great suggestions but what struck us was the colours that they are using - all pale lemons and pastel greens. Ooohhh arhhhh me hearties. We love pirates. We are once again great aunt and uncle here at EC HQ so we are looking at pirate...

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etui coterie goes on the road

braid braiding fair kumihimo makit

etui coterie goes on the road

Want to learn more about Japanese braiding; kumihimo? Why not come along to the Makit LQ&N fair on 8th May and meet Liz in person. Let Liz introduce you to the ancient craft of Kumihimo or Japanese braiding. Liz is passionate about all fibre arts; she will inspire you to make the same cord that laced up and decorated the Samurai’s armour and use it to make cords, beaded jewellery and incorporate into your crafting. Liz will be in the Craft Haven offering free drop in sessions to learn more about this wonderful craft.

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