B9: Aquamarine, Faceted and Matte with pure silver terminations and Silver Hanger  23"         

$1,895                Earrings Included

RETURN POLICY: You can return your purchases within 10 days of receipt if not 100% satisfied. The item must be in original condition and original packaging. 

KUMIHIMO

B1: Glass Magatama Blue Topaz with pure silver terminations and Silver Ball Hanger - 18"         

$498          Earrings Included

Please email us at abiond@att.net

if you have any questions.

BL2: Onyx (matte & faceted) with pure silver & 18Kt terminations & Black Onyx Hanger  - 18"         $298        Earrings Included

G4: Emeralds, Tourmalines, Peridots, Green Goldstones, Onyx & Tourmalines with pure silver terminations and Black Onyx Hanger - 18"               $1,595         Earrings Included

B8: Aquamarine, Apatite, and Swarovski Crystals with pure silver terminations and Blue Topaz Hanger  17"         

$895                 Earrings Included

G2: Peridot, Freshwater Pearls and Hematite with pure silver terminations and Silver Ball Hanger   18"            

$895                 Earrings Included

KUMIHIMO is the Japanese art of braiding. It means “the gathering of threads.” Kumihimo is thousands of years old. Interestingly enough, it is not unique to the Japanese. In Peru at roughly the same time, they developed braiding techniques very similar to the Japanese. As centuries passed, the Peruvians used braiding for very practical purposes such as water carriers and ropes to lash packs to animals. On the other hand the Japanese turned it into an art form using it for personal adornment such as ties worn with kimonos. This all started around 8000 BC. Neither civilization had sea faring vessels to transport men and ideas around the globe. Necessity was the mother of invention. Two great civilizations, two different paths. Braiders today are lucky because we benefit from both cultures.

The ancient Japanese art of Kumihimo combined function and beauty when the braids were used by the Samurai warriors to attach swords to their sashes and to decorate the handles of their weapons. Braids were also used in temples, shrines and tombs as edging for Buddhist flags and as attachments and ties for scrolls.

Much of the information on how to make braids and the equipment used was kept secret by the family businesses and only recently have schools been opened in Japan and other parts of the world to teach this beautiful and useful Art.

Traditionally, Kumihimo is made on a round-topped loom using bobbins, a silk warp (the strands) counterweighted by a bag with lead weights calculated on the total weight of the bobbins. I typically weave using 8 strands of beads ranging from tiny seed beads up to 4mm. Each necklace is unique and never duplicated.

Many different colors, bead sizes, and lengths can be custom woven. Just contact me.

R1: Rubies, Freshwater Pearls, Swarovski Crystals, & Hematite Beads with pure silver decorated terminations  with Rubies & Pure Silver Decorated Hanger with Rubies on both sides 19"           

$1,895                   Earrings Included

B7: Turquoise, Pearls, Apatite, and Swarovski Crystals with pure silver terminations and Apatite & Turquoise Hanger     18.5"             $895                 Earrings Included