Bouquet from the Heart of Japan

My second Japanese Embroidery piece, Bouquet from the Heart of Japan is finished. It wasn't a design I would have chosen to do but I have grown quite fond of it over the 9 months I have spent stitching it.

As it is a phase 1 design there were quite a few techniques I had already learned on Hanazume. and there were plenty of new techniques as well.

 

My next piece is Sensu and I'm looking forward to getting started on it.

Midnight Necklace

 

I made this necklace for my friend Steph's birthday. The design is Midnight from Japanese Beadwork with  Sonoko Nozue and it's understated elegance appealed to me. Also it was an opportunity to use chevron stitch. It uses 2mm Swarovski crystal rounds in jet and size 15 beads in gold and silver. The finished rope was very thin and it was a challenge to source small scale findings. It was a nice pattern to work and is one I might try again.

Two Bracelets

 

I bought 2 kits from Riverside Beads at the Farnborough Make-It Show earlier this year. The first  was a macramé bracelet using shamballa style beads. I have been curious about these bracelets for a while and wanted to try making one myself. It was very quick to make and my curiosity is now satisfied.

 

The second kit was beaded kumihimo bracelet. I had a failed attempt at beaded kumihimo last year. The problem was that the beads and cord I'd used were not a good size match and the result was very loose. The kit from Riverside Beads used size 8 beads and fine macramé cord and I was pleased with the result this time. The bracelet is actually a bit long and I doubt I'll ever wear it but it has got me started. Since finishing the bracelet I have made a necklace also using size 8 beads and for the next project I'm planning to try size 11 beads for a finer rope.