You can make a Friendship Band in 15 minutes or less, in super fast time.
Here’s how : Kumihimo Kumiloom Braiding Instructions - Video demo.

I came across this video demo from YouTube and tried my hand at it. Looks like a very traditional Japanese Art in simplified form. I succeeded in making a wrist band.
Amazing! It turned out to be a great way to braid a friendship band.

Making A Friendship Band For My Best Friend.

For my first try, I used a small paper plate as the kumiloom.
And it works fine for this simple design.

1. Using a color marker, mark the edge of the paper plate like a compass, North, South, East, and West. There! You have 4 quarters.
2. Then, divide again till you get another 4 segments in each quarter. Altogether you will have 16 segments. fine for this easy to follow video demo.
3. Make a hole in the middle of the paper plate.
4. Next, cut 2cm slits on all the markings around the edge.  The paper kumiloom is ready for use.

I used 2 colors for a start and quite happy with the completed friendship band.

By changing the colors and the number of strings, I would probably get very interesting results. 
You can see that I have added a large focal bead to make it more attractive. Actually, I had trouble finding a large bead with large hole, so I made my own focal bead using 4mm crystal beads. It turned out quite nicely.

So What is Kumihimo?

Interesting answer from Wikipedia :
“Kumihimo is a Japanese form of braid-making. Cords and ribbons are made by interlacing strands.

Kumihimo cord was first created by a form of finger-loop braiding. Later tools such as the Marudai and the Takadai were employed to make more complex braids in shorter time. The most prominent historical use of the cords were by Samurai as both a functional and decorative way to lace their lamellar armor, and that of their horses’ armor (barding). Kumihimo cords are now used as ties on haori jackets and obijimes, which are used for tying on an obi (kimono sash).”.
 

“Butterflies” is another great source of inspiration from Nature.  From ColorLovers.com,
a beautiful presentation of color palettes inspired by the natural beauty of butterflies.  Great inspiration for Fashion Designers as well as Beaded Jewelry Artists. Awesome!

I have to thank NHBeadLady at “Create Your Style” Community for this link. www.ColorLovers.com

From the same source of Nature, the inspiration for naming your creation comes naturally too.  Are you curious to know how popular is this naming convention? 
I googled for Beaded Jewelry and Butterflies, and Voila! (vwa LAH!) There were at least 400,000 results from these 2 keywords.

My imagination could not have been more vivid until I stumbled on this jewelry site.
This particular creation by Cathy Dailey is very a beautiful interpretation of a butterfly. She had given it a name that very aptly captures my imagination. This is truly a great inspiration from Nature that gives more than life to a creation in color, shape and texture.

I can feel the mood and an influence of culture in the making of a trademark that could be so unique to each individual.

Enchanted Butterflies created by Cathy Dailey

5 Great DIY Jewelry Sites : Tips and Tricks to Handmade Beaded Jewelry.
5 Great Treats for all Beginners in Handmade Beaded Jewelry, fantastic web sites to visit.

Treat No: 1
Jewelry Making at About.com  
Great articles by Tammy Powley.  Free tutorials for beginners, large database of resources.  Free Jewelry Making E-course emailed weekly.

Treat No: 2
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads  is America’s Favorite Beading and Jewelry Supply Company. For more advanced designs, beautiful free catalog, how to, free tutorials and Design Gallery.  Huge traffic volume can be frustrating, just got to be patient and take a little longer to load the site.

Treat No: 3
Auntie’s Beads
Great instruction videos, basic technicques and interesting projects on video.
You can also find these videos on Youtube too. 

Treat No: 4
This beautiful project is from Wig Jig University.

Wiring techniques, choosing the right tools, how to use the jig, beginners instructions and many great projects.

Treat No: 5
Bead Online
Basic Jewelry Making techniques.  Graphics to show the steps to beautiful free projects.

Have a wonderful time! Happy Beading!

When I first joined the Swarovski “Create Your Style” Community, there was a contest running.  Though not prepared,  but for the sake of participation, I submitted 2 designs.

Jade Forever Bracelet and Pearl Bling were submitted for the January 2008 Contest. 

Jade Forever created by Evelyn Lim of Amethyst Crystal.

Jade Forever Bracelet is a free-style concept, re-designed from a simple single strand of oval-shaped select, beautiful green Jade beads.  

At my sister-in-law’s request, I transformed the beautiful single strand of Jade Beads of classic beauty into something more contemporary.  In creating Jade Forever, I added emerald green Swarovski crystals and some copper beads to create a more casual style so that it looks great for any occasion.

I used the stringing method, weaving 3 nylon cords of 0.3mm thickness.  4mm Emerald Green Swarovski Crystals to compliment the jade.  The string of copper beads is inter-twined around the main strand for a final touch. 

Pearl Bling created by Evelyn Lim of Amethyst Crystal.

Pearl Bling Bracelet is also a recreation from a treasured momento of hers.  It was previously an elegant 0-0-0 formation.  I was fortunate to be given this opportunity to re-design it and give it a fresh look.  Metal findings, metal beads and crystal beads were added to enhance the string of pearls and gold tubular links. 

If you are a beginner, you will find this site at Swarovski Create Your Style very informative. Look for Beading Techniques.
Have fun making your own handmade beaded jewelry!

I have been spending time looking for jewelry creations that has appeal, something that grabs my attention at first sight.  It is just a way of drawing inspiration from the artistic geniuses who created them. Most of them got their inspiration from Nature itself.  It is the way to go, and in Spring, go for the Colors of Spring in Your Beaded Jewelry Creations.

From Color Palette and Inspirational Images
[Image courtesy of the contributers of Morguefile]

Focusing on certain themes helps a great deal.  When the inspiration comes, imagination runs wild.  The great challenge comes when you start to choose combinations of shapes and colors to mix it on your very own palette.

I am not very good at choosing colors for my Beaded Jewelry projects.  Most of the time, I would prefer to stay with monochromes to be on the safe side.  Purple is my pick and it turns out to be most appealing to my friends too.  Different shades of purple is monochromatic.  However, after some time, the color becomes a little boring.  Then it’s time to be more adventurous to try the complementary colors that are opposite colors, and analogous colors that are adjacent colors found on the Color Wheel.

I was checking out the Colors of Spring.  Photos of the flowers found in the garden at my condominium.  Spring brings bright and cheerful colors.  The flowers are so beautiful, so close that you can see, smell or touch.  How I wish I could see the beautiful flowers in your garden too.  A great inspiration to start a new day, whether the roses, orchids, lilies or tulips that are carefully arranged in a vase, or put on canvas or refined accessories.

Flowers for Inspiration in Beaded Jewelry is a wonderful excuse to get back to nature and away from the workshop and computer for a pleasant break. 

Did a lot a amatuer photography with my faithful Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-P73.
It was a lot of fun time with friends and family with just point and shoot no-brainer effort.

When I had to get down to photograph my beaded jewelry, I started to appreciate the macro function icon represented by a little tulip.  Digital photography is fun.  It is certainly a luxury to be able to shoot and delete. When I get lucky,  I get a few good shots.

We get fresh air in the early morning while sparing a few minutes to listen to the birds singing in the garden. I craned my neck to look for the birds singing the same song.

I was there looking for some refreshing background pictures and got a few quick compositions right from the garden below. 

It is Show Time!
Actually it is high time to show a few more pictures of my handmade beaded jewelry.
Here are a few presentable photographs I have taken recently, three sets of long dangling earrings are made with simple wire-work method. Nothing elaborate but simple and sweet.

If you have seen the designs at “Create Your Style” Community, you know what it means being “a class of their own”. They are awesome! “Create Your Style” Community was launched by Swarovski in October 2007. I was very excited to be among the privileged 300 members, the first batch for Beta Closed Pilot Program. For the past 6 months, we have been actively engaged in the private forum and contest organised exclusively for the Community.

Beading Design Artists and Jewelry Designers come together from all the world. The representation is amazing. There are award winners from Jewelry Shows in Europe, America and etc. There are also people like me who are there because we all share the same passion and attraction to Swarovski Crystals and handmade jewelry designing.

The second phase of registration is now open.  Membership to this community is by invitation only. If you are a beading enthusiast and keen to join, I could help send you an invitation in the capacity as an existing member.  Just leave me a note in comment.

Bead It Forward was a project started by Jeanette Shanigan, Design Artist. “The 2007 theme was ‘Butterflies’, symbolizing being metamorphosed through the battle with breast cancer.”  She invited others to join her in donating small beaded squares that she put together into 10 x 10 inch quilts and framed them in shadow boxes.  They were donated to the Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer (BAABC) Auction which raised over US$20,000 at the Bead and Button show 2007.

Extract from a section of a 2007 Butterfly Theme Beaded Quilt.

Jeanette, also a teacher and author of many beading books, was moved by the encouraging response from beading enthusiasts all over the world.  Fire Mountain Gems and Beads is also supporting the cause. This project was featured recently in their weekly online newsletter, making a call to all interested in submitting a square for the beaded quilts.

Just a glimpse of a section of a 2008 Rose Theme Beaded Quilt.

The theme for 2008 is ‘Roses’. The full article can be found at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads website.  Any kind of beadwork or technique can be used but the motif must be a Rose of any kind. The specified size and ground rules and instructions can be obtained in a PDF file from Jean’s website at shanigansbeadshenanigans.com. All completed squares must be submitted by 1 April, 2008.

I see this as a great opportunity for beginners to make a contribution for a good cause.  Some free rose patterns and tutorials on how to get started are already available on the site. The entries received to date are displayed online and I think they are really awesome!  Very inspiring and beautiful works from budding artists and beading artists around the world.  Indeed it is a very innovative way of raising awareness and raising funds to fight against cancer.   

Another way of looking at it, it is a program to help cancer patients learn a new hobby to ease some pain in their struggle to their recovery.  It is a very rewarding past time, making little gifts for your loved ones. An excellent form of therapy and literally takes stress away from your mind and fill it with a little cheer.  And for the impatient, you see what you can accomplish in the shortest time. It’s delightful!

In a concerted effort, the legacy lives on, and each year a different theme will be chosen to celebrate each woman’s struggle with breast cancer. Cheers!

View display of Rose squares already submitted for the 2008 Beaded Quilt at
Jeanette Shanigan’s website at shanigansbeadshenanigans.com

Beading your favorite car logo? How about that? I am an Aries, the Ram. Not surprising to find myself fascinated with anything associated with the ram. I am a proud owner of a glass ram that I bought from bargain store. Collectibles associated with the ram are few. Maybe I should make a beaded accessory of the Dodge Logo. But then, if I have a million dollars to invest in collectibles, or a choice car, I would like choose a Dodge. The Dodge emblem is a Ram! Even found the embroidered emblem of the ram among the Dodge Charger accessories.
Yeah, I would like to bead that Dodge Logo.

We don’t have any Dodge cars in Singapore. Strange, I don’t think we have Dodge imports here. The Dodger Charger is reputed to be the American muscle car and the latest design is something you must see. Even the US State Police has a fleet of these coveted autos. In Singapore, we have BMW Police cars, how about a Dodger Charger on the highway?

Anyway, if you are still interested in car logos, search this site for your favorite logo: www.cartype.com/page.cfm?id=799&alph=ALL . There is rich database of all car logos and company history behind those famous logos too.
Car Logo credit : www. cartype.com