Designer: Claire Humpherson

These Japanese Garden Earrings are featured on the cover of Make Jewellery Magazine issue 35, March 2012. They are created using kumihimo braiding techniques.

You will need:
2x Swarovski Filigree Flowers (W270)
1x Rattail Warn Neutrals (TC319)
1x Nymo Sand Size D (TC289)
1x 6mm Gold Plated Bullet Ends (F139)
1x Fevi Kwik (W270)
1x 6mm Jumprings in Bronze (F612)
1x Earwires Gold Plated (F1082)
1x Toho Seed Bead Soft Brown Matt (11R702)
1x Needle (NB202)
1x Braiding Disc (W256)
1x Bobbin (W257)

 

How to make:

Step 1:

Create a kumihimo braid about 10-12cm in length.  Be sure to leave around 5-6cm of cord either end. Whip both ends as you did for the necklace. For instructions on how to make a kumihimo braid please scroll down.

Step 2:

Create 2 more whips about 1cm apart in the centre of the braid, then cut in half between the whips so the braid doesn’t unravel. You will now have 2 short braids, each with thread at one end. Glue an end cap to the ends without thread.

Step 3:

When the glue is dry, join the filigree flower to the end cap using a ring. Use another ring to attach an earwire to the top petal of the filigree flower.

Step 4:

Cut the threads dangling at the bottom about 5cm from the whip, creating a tassel. Bead around the whip with size 11 seed beads using 4-2 backstitch. This will to cover up the whip and tidy the appearance of the tassel.

If you like these earrings you might also want to check the Japanese Garden Necklace and Japanese Garden Bracelet.

 

How to make an 8 warp Kumihimo braid:
You will need a braiding board with notches to place your thread. Each cord placed into a single notch on the board is known as a ‘warp’.
Step 1:
Take the 4 coloured cords in the warm neutrals rattail set. Holding all 4 together, fold in the middle of the cords and knot together, creating 8 ends.
Step 2:
Place the knot through the hole in the centre of the braiding board. Spread the cords, placing the colours in the notches of the braiding board. You should follow the pattern of colours illustrated on the tag of your warm neutrals rattail pack, placing a ‘warp’ either side of each dot on the board.
Step 3:
Turn the braiding board over and wrap each cord into its own no-tangle bobbin. You may want to add a weight to the knot to help your braid pull downwards as you work.
Step 4:
You should have a warp either side of dot 32. Rotate the board so you are holding this dot at the top. Take the warp from the notch to the left of dot 16 (at the bottom) and move it straight upwards to the notch to the left of the two warps at the top. You will now have 3 warps at the top and one at the bottom.
Step 5:
Now take the warp furthest right at the top and bring it down to the right of the remaining bottom warp.
Step 6:
Turn the braiding board 90 degrees counter-clockwise and repeat the same process, moving the bottom left warp to the top left, and the top right warp to the bottom right. Repeat until you get to the end of your cords.
Step 7:
Remove cords from the notches and knot together so the braid doesn’t unravel. Now whip the ends to secure. Wrap the nymo thread tightly around the braid just below the knot, and sew through the braid a couple of times to make sure it is securely fastened. When you are happy that you have secured the braid; take some sharp scissors and cut off the knot close to the whip.

If you would like to make these earrings simply click on the 'Add all products to basket' button below. Your basket should conatain a total of 12 items. Please note that multiple items need to be added to your basket manually. You will need to add an extra SW25 to your basket.