I wanted a special chain. The Kumihimo neck piece is single stands of turquoise and lime embroidery threads entwined with metallic “silver” embroidery thread. The black thread provides definition. I “capped” the ends with sterling silver caps and and silver findings.

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I’ve become a distributor for the Thread Gatherer, hand dyed silk threads & ribbons….more on that later. They have the most amazing color combination. More on that later; I’ll be adding thread to my etsy site.

Have to run…
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(Click on photos for larger image.)

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I liked the kum-loom but I was frustrated by the slow speed. Using a Maurdai allows me to move two strings at once. The action is different from the rotating kumi-loom. Instead of moving in a circular manner, the loom remains in the same orientation to the braider. I wanted to learn the Maudai action before I became too habituated to the kumi-loom. Movement was slow at first but picked up. The movement is repetitive so I expect it will get faster and faster. At first it’s a bit like patting your head while rubbing your stomach (LOL).

HERE is an example of someone making a simple braid on a Maurdai.

This is my first attempt. (This is a different pattern that the one demonstrated above.) The braid is only two colors and eight strands. I am trying to keep it simple The braid produced is a flat alternating diagonal pattern. (After I stopped for the night, I used the clip to mark the front of the Maurdai so I wouldn’t loose my place when I went to start again.) I move the right and left hands at the same time (like in the video). Indicated by R & L in the pattern. The numbers represent the positions on the loom. This same pattern could easily be worked on the kumi-loom.

The braiding process needs weight. I used a small quarter ounce fishing weight inside each EZ bobbin. I clipped the braid with a large clip to weight the braid. I had to play with the weight on the braid a bit to get the right tension. (While I was braiding the braid was down inside the Maurdai. I took it out to photograph.)

See the pattern below:

I took the plastic ring used as a ceiling decoration above a fan and a waste basket. The ceiling ring is from Lowe’s ($6.63) and the waste basket is from WalMart ($5.16).

I cut the top off the small plastic waste basket and mounted the ring.

You can see that the top of the waste basket was cut off in such a way as to leave the rim. The rim was glued to the underside of the ring. The Maurdai has it’s draw backs. You have to remove the top to adjust the center weight and to examine the braid. It also has it’s advantages. It’s very light. It’s very portable and all my stuff can be toted easily within the Maurdai. The braid winds itself up within the waste basket so it doesn’t get dirty even if I take it outside. In subsequent postings I will demonstrate the setup and will demonstrate how to create various Kumihimo patterns on the Maurdai.

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The first braid I made was three color black, teal and metalic. The second, linen in spring colors of apricot, sage, taupe, cornflower blue, and maise metalic.

I played around a bit with the blue necklace. I scattered a few beads at one point and put on a clasp from the discontinued bin at Michhaels. All and all, I’m pleased with my self. Enough so that I’ll try it with homespun.

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(Click on photos for larger images.)

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For more information you can contact Jennifer Wiles at jennifer@jenniferwiles.com or visit her web site at http://jenniferwiles.com/ She is an amazing bead artist.

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