Adventures in Kumihimo

I've been feeling guilty about not writing blog posts in a more timely fashion. My excuse this month, however, allows me to feel a tad less delinquent:  I've been learning Kumihimo using a Marudai. What great fun! Many of you may be familiar with kumihimo but I'd like to offer a brief introduction for those of you who are not.

Kumihimo is the ancient art of cord braiding. Though the techniques were used by many cultures worldwide, the word has largely come to represent the textile traditions of Japan.

Historically, Kumihimo began around 645 A.D. But it wasn't until Buddhism (and the influence of other Chinese religions) was at its height during the Heian period (794 - 1185 A.D.) that cord braiding was elevated to its current functional status. Monks produced fine braids as a form of meditation. Their work was used extensively for temple interior decorations.

During the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (1185 - 1573 A.D.) kumihimo demand soared. It was used to enhance armor for Samurai warriors and their horses. Braided ribbons were employed to wrap sword handles and to join leather and iron plates.

As the art form grew, so did the methods to produce it. Braiding stands became increasingly popular throughout the Orient. The equipment allowed for increased efficiency in the creation of more complex braids.

Braiding stands remain popular today in many parts of the world. The Marudai, in particular, is a favorite, among crafts people. It was introduced in the West during the 20th century.

The Marudai has a "stool-like" appearance. The Japanese version is made with solid wood (typically, hard maple). The top plate (kagami, or mirror) is velvety smooth and has a central hole where the finished braids are suspended with counterweights. The mirror is supported by 4 legs and a matching base plate.

My Western-style 26" (66 cm) Marudai

To create a braid, cords are wrapped around weighted bobbin's, or tama which hang freely around the mirror in specific locations. Quantity of tama and their positions on the mirror determine the type and complexity of the braid achieved.

70 gram Tama for the Marudai

It is said, Kumihimo takes a lifetime of practice and dedication. Why? Patterns worked on the Marudai require good technique and focused attention. Confidence and skill grow with practice.

Providing my eyesight doesn't fail me in old age, I look forward to a lifetime of continued practice and dedication using the Marudai.

Beaded Kumihimo by Anne Gregory

*Additional braiding stand photos can be found at Braid Society.

Does Color Matter?

Every year during New York Fashion Week, color experts from Pantone determine the hottest color trends for the up and coming fall jewelry season. And for the very first time, the range of tones identified for fall 2015, have a bona fide gender-neutral appeal. September will usher in a plethora of natural, bold, earthy hues that can be worn across men's and women's fashions. Some of the shades already being integrated into fall jewelry collections include:  sage, oak, cashmere, marsala, cadmium and amethyst, among others.

So I ask the question, "Does color matter?" In a word, yes! Color, as I wrote in a previous post, is integral to the human experience. It informs many of the choices we make daily. Our clothes and the jewelry we wear to embellish them make our bodies appear interesting and sexually attractive. Without proper color combining, jewelry especially would lack in vitality and be tremendously uninspiring. Color selection affects our minds and behaviors so it will, of necessity, make our lives more or less meaningful.

Attention to color trends was not my priority as a young adult. But with age (and what some would call fashion-sense maturity), color consideration has became increasingly important.
Recently, I made an unexpected visit to a satellite salon of a reputable national hair company. While I was receiving a brow wax, I was persuaded to stay for a much needed hair makeover.

The anticipated outcome was a return to my blonde roots but the gal mistakenly treated my hair a dark chocolate brown. Then (with my approval), she tried to lift the brown and ended up turning my hair a shockingly brilliant orange!

Three more attempts were made at blonde toning, but 9.5 hours later, I drove home in the dark with coppery orange/red hair.

Now let me say unequivocally, color consideration became paramount the next morning! What clothes do I wear? Are my purple-soled Nike's off limits? Is my salmon tank top too dull, or too bright? Should I change the blue bead in my necklace to white pearl?  So many questions!

You may ask, "Does she really dislike red hair?" Absolutely not! I have friends who enjoy some of the most gorgeous red hair ever to be seen.

The crux of the problem, as I realize it, is getting used to viewing my head in the mirror with something other than flaxen blonde strands. And because I wasn't emotionally prepared for the sudden change to orange/red hair, I had no point of reference for color coordinating clothes.

So, what's next on the agenda? I have a hair dresser lined up to help return my hair to its original blonde. (I admit, my ego received a serious blow at the hands of the supposed professional.) But until or unless she can effect change, does color still matter?

Not so much! Time has passed. I'm wearing what I please, and I just happen to have one of the most gorgeous dogs on the planet who also happens to have coppery red hair... WE LOOK ALIKE! Yes, Mango and I share the same gorgeous hair color! What more could a dog-loving person ask for?

So, here's to sweet Mango and our matching coppery red hair!

I will be posting a photo of Mango and I together soon!

Does Color Matter?

As someone who crafts salable art jewelry, I am often referred to, and by others, as "artist". The dictionary describes an artist as a person who practices or provides one of the various creative arts. I have never had an issue being called artist, but then, I've never given the matter much thought either.

I was watching a documentary one recent evening when I became interested in comments made by the accomplished Japanese sculptor, Etsuro Sotoo. He referred to stone, the medium of his craft for the last 37 years, as his master. His stone carvings, he said, are brought to life by the stone itself. He refers to stone as his machine, his heart, his teacher.
Rather than create art, Sotoo said he copies art. He copies nature. And he takes no credit for sculpture design because the design for everything already exists. The design for every thing exists in nature. And nature is perfect!

Immersed in thought later, I realized how profound Etsuro Sotoo's comments were. Nature is teacher. Everything we do has been taught us by nature. And, yes, nature is perfect! The dictionary describes nature as the phenomenon wherein features and other products are brought forth by the earth, as opposed to humans. These earthly creations include plants, animals, landscapes. etc.

Nature teaches me about love, about love of art. Nature teaches me about creation, about love for all creation. Whenever I feel happy, I will often take a photo of my surroundings, a photo of a beautiful flower, a gorgeous landscape, a photo of my dogs, my family or friends. Why do I take photos when I am happy? Because all of those amazing beings and creatures are a reflection of nature. They are nature. And nature is perfect.

Today, I put the finishing touches on a beautiful bracelet. I called it Morning Glory Bracelet because I wanted the jewelry to reflect the beauty that is the natural, sun-loving Morning Glory flower. It is perfect.

As a child, and later as a young adult, I was never fond of antiques. They often held a musty smell and were not of pristine condition (a requirement, I guess, for a young, uncultured mind)!

We had a marvelous antique establishment in my home town prior to college (I didn't think so at the time). And anytime I would tour the store with visiting relatives, I literally couldn't wait to get back outdoors to breathe fresh air.

In middle age, however, I have come to appreciate the artistic value of historic collectibles.

I recently acquired two Vintage Beaded Purses from the estate of my husband's family. The age of these reticule's (as they were once called) is at least turn of the century.

Despite the understated appearance of the vintage purses, there is something in viewing that stirs my heart. Perhaps it is the experience of satisfaction the creators might have enjoyed with the fulfillment of ambition. My sentiments, no doubt, are comparable in achievement.

In my visual pursuit of online classic memorabilia, I developed a healthy enthusiasm for vintage chain maille purses. So much so, in fact, I decided to create two impressions of my own:  the Victorian Gate Mesh Chatelaine Purse and the Silver Mesh Chain Maille Coin Purse.

Victorian Gate Mesh Chatelaine Purse

Silver Mesh Chain Maille Coin Purse

The stainless steel jump rings used in the purses were tumbled and polished prior to assembly. Stainless steel is strong, dependable and satiny smooth to the touch. It is a great medium for vintage-inspired purses.

I hope to add future chain maille purse styles to my repertoire in the near future.

Here's to dreamy dreams and beaded/chain maille visions!

Color is integral to the human experience. It informs many of the choices we make daily, both directly and indirectly. So much of what is important in our lives involves the expression of color. But our experiences are highly personal because each of us interprets color a bit differently. The colorblind among us, for instance, have difficulty differentiating between reds and greens.

How do we perceive color?  An abbreviated answer is this:  objects absorb and reflect light. Special receptors in our eyes transmit those various lightwaves to our brains where they are interpreted as color sensations.

Because of social conditioning, we humans have developed our own internalized criteria for determining what the appropriate use for given colors are in every facet of our lives (i.e. girls wear pink, boys wear blue). We do this, it is thought, to satisfy our psyches emotionally. Color, therefore, affects our minds and it affects our behavior.

Our ability to perceive color puts the world of fashion at our fingertips. Our clothes and the jewelry we wear to embellish them make our bodies appear interesting and sexually attractive. Thus, color considerations require immense respect during the design phase because without proper color combining, jewelry especially would lack in vitality and be tremendously uninspiring.

If color associations matter then, how are protocols established for color use in the world of fashion? Most industry professionals are informed by the color wheel; it's a circular tool that shows the colors of the rainbow in relationship to each other (our eyes are tuned in to the rainbow spectrum of light). The color wheel allows artists the freedom to make neutral and mutually beneficial selections to enhance their designs.

For example, let's say the main color in a particular sketch is determined to be red. Subsequent corresponding colors might need to be appointed to either complement and/or contrast the dominant red color.

Using the wheel below, find the color red. To it's right, you will notice shades of orange; to its left, shades of purple. Opposite red on the wheel are various hues of aqua. A couturier might settle for both orange and purple (among other colors) to complement the red in her design. She might also choose aqua (among other colors) for contrast.

So, each of the selections from the color wheel will necessarily have close physical associations to the salient color in the design.

Many of us admittedly feign ignorance to the science of color and its effects on life (myself included), unless by necessity, we are obliged to partake in its interest and wealth of intrigue. Color is fun. The depth and breath of its scope is limitless which makes it a fascinating topic on many levels.

So, what is the color of life? Well... life is whatever color we want to consign to it. Our expressions of color are nuanced by how we live our lives. And conversely, our lives are nuanced by expressions of color. How we interpret and experience those colors is what helps to give our lives and our world increased meaning!

Here's wishing you dreamy dreams and colorful visions!