Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since
this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.
A special note before you begin. You will be following a video on how to make a beaded kumihimo bracelet but instead of braiding about 1/4 inch without beads at the start and end of your braid, you will want to only braid very little beyond your knot, about 1/16th of an inch. You will do the same amount, about 1/16th of an inch without beads when you end your braid as well.
- To make the main braid, cut 8 pieces of cord, 30 inches long each. Next, please watch the video: How to Braid Beaded Kumihimo and Make a Bracelet. This video will show you everything you need to know to make the braid portion (including adding the beads). Please pay attention to the special note about only braiding 1/16th of an inch without beads on either side of the bracelet. The clasp set/cord ends that will be created in the next couple steps will add approximately 1 and 1/4" to the overall length of the design. Make the braid as long as you wish to fit your wrist, paying attention to the amount of space the clasp set/cord ends will add.
- To create your cord ends out of the bead caps used in this project, you will place a bead cap on a head pin so that the bead cap is facing down and the ball of the head pin is in the well of the bead cap. Create a wrapped wire loop where the head pin exits on the outside of the bead cap. Trim off excess wire and tuck your end. Repeat this with your other bead cap to make a total of two cord ends.
- Open an oval jump ring and connect it to one of the bead cap/cord ends you created above and also one half of the toggle clasp. Close the jump ring. Repeat with your other bead cap/cord end and other half of the toggle clasp.
- Now take your braid and trim off any excess cords so that you just have the knot remaining on each end (and the braid of course). Before going onto the next step, test your braid ends to make sure they will fit neatly into your cord ends. If not, please watch the video: Troubleshooting: How to Shorten the End of a Kumihimo Braid to Fit into a Cord End.
- Using a toothpick or small piece of wire as an applicator, smear E6000 glue over your knot and place down into one of your bead caps/cord ends. Let dry and then repeat with the other side. Let your bracelet fully dry and then enjoy wearing!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: (scroll down for purchase options)
- FCL-9360 - TierraCast Pewter Toggle Clasps, Flower 16.5mm, Antiqued Silver Plated (1 Set)
Project uses 1 set. You will need 1 package(s).
- GRD-148 - Bead Cap, Small Tulip Flower 6mm, Enameled Brass Teal Green, by Gardanne Beads (1 Piece)
Project uses 2 piece(s). You will need 2 package(s).
- FJR-3906 - Silver Plated Open Jump Rings Oval 4x6mm 20 Gauge (50 pcs)
Project uses 2 piece(s). You will need 1 package(s).
- FHP-1262 - Nunn Design Head Pin, with Ball Head 2 Inches Long and 20 Gauge Thick Antiqued Silver (10 Pieces)
Project uses 2 piece(s). You will need 1 package(s).
- XCR-1CVB - Toho Amiet Polyester Beading Thread, Carmine, 0.5mm (20 Meters/22 Yards)
Project uses 240 inches. You will need 1 package(s).
- JSH-0415 - Toho Seed Beads, Round 8/0 Semi Glazed, Rainbow Clover (8 Gram Tube)
Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package(s).
- JSB-8768 - Toho Seed Beads, 8/0 #768 Rainbow Frosted Red (1 Tube)
Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package(s).
- XTL-1054 - E6000 Industrial Strength Glue Adhesive (0.18 fl oz)
Project uses 1 piece(s). You will need 1 package(s).
RECOMMENDED TOOLS:
- XTL-5032 - The Beadsmith Wire Looping Pliers - Concave And Round Nose
- XTL-5450 - Xuron Jeweler's Super Fine Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose
- XTL-5600 - Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - For Cutting Beading Wire (1 Piece)
- XTL-0020 - Baby Wubbers Quality Fine Chain Nose Jeweller's Pliers
- XTL-6195 - The Beadsmith Lightweight Kumihimo Round Disc Disk For Japanese Braiding and Cording
- XTL-6103 - The Beadsmith No Tangle Flexible Plastic Thread Bobbins For Kumihimo Or Macrame 1 7/8 Inch (8 Pack)
- XTL-6063 - Gator Weight For Kumihimo Braiding - 1.6 Ounces (1 pcs)
- XTL-5700 - Fiskars 5 Scissors for Beading Cord
For closed captions/subtitles, click the CC icon on the video player after starting the video.
Earn Reward Points with your purchase of project components or tools.
