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12 
Member since 8/24/05
Posts: 71
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Posted on: 11/19/13 9:13 PM ET
My granddaughter loves braiding. I saw a Kumihimo demonstration this summer and thought it was a good idea for her for Christmas.
Does anyone know where I can buy her everything she needs to get started at a reasonable price?
The wooden stands I saw being used in the demonstration were really cool but out of my price range for an 11 year old. Her father's a good woodworker and, if she stsys interested in it, he could probably make her one.
Thanks.
Pat
  
Member since 2/2/04
Posts: 787
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Posted on: 11/20/13 0:36 AM ET
Lee Valley Hardware has an inexpensive starter kit. Kumihimo Kit
  
Member since 12/10/05
Posts: 1221
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Posted on: 11/20/13 2:14 AM ET
The plastic disks are fine for learning on. You get the hang of the order of moving the threads, and the patterns you can use. I did a 1-week workshop where we started with the plastic disks, then moved on to a cardboard box, using old film canisters weighted with fishing sinkers as the bobbins. Mind you film canisters are hard to find these days!
  
Member since 8/24/05
Posts: 71
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Posted on: 11/20/13 8:10 AM ET
Thanks for the info. That starter kit looks perfect.
I'll keep the cardboard box in mind too. She'd probably be happy to make herself one after she gets started. She's a pretty resourceful kid!
  
Member since 9/21/07
Posts: 1921
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Posted on: 11/20/13 8:38 AM ET
I use an inexpensive foam disk, it's more than adequate.

Beadsmith also makes a Kumihimo kit that's a bit more expensive than the one linked above, but with a few more bits- Amazon has it for a good price here. I've never looked for it in a store, but a lot of craft stores carry Beadsmith products so you might find it local.

I also recommend extra bobbins and a variety of cord if you want to supplement the kit in the gift box. Maybe some beads with a hole large enough to string on the cord.

My Kumihimo braids are usually a crazy mixture of textures (I love adding adding a strand of something fun like eyelash yarn), but that's not to everyone's preference or suitable to every project.
------
Tess

"I am a degenerate art supply junkie" - Jane Davenport
“I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." - Gilda Radner
  
Member since 12/21/05
Posts: 569
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Posted on: 11/20/13 9:56 AM ET
In reply to PatriciaK
I did a search (to see what on earth Kumihimo was!) and found a kit at Amazon that is cheaper if you are buying other things (if you buy $35 in merchandise you get free shipping) or have Amazon Prime.
It looks like a lot of fun!
  
Member since 7/9/10
Posts: 1119
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Posted on: 11/20/13 1:28 PM ET
You may want to put together a notebook with different patterns for her also. There should be free patterns on a website called Beading Daily beading daily

You may also want to check out Bead and Button magazine's website too bead & button
  
Member since 3/25/03
Posts: 1522
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Posted on: 11/20/13 2:15 PM ET
Ya'll have done it again! I couldn't help checking out some of the links and thinking "hmmmmm, that's looks COOL!" And Hobby Lobby just happened to have a kit (on sale) that I'll be breaking in tonight after supper instead of whatever I was supposed to be doing
  
Member since 8/24/05
Posts: 71
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Posted on: 11/20/13 11:19 PM ET
Thanks everyone for all the info. I had looked at Amazon and didn't see the kits. I never thought about beads along with it but there's a book on the beads and button website that shows how they are used and it looks really nice.
Grandma may have to get a kit to try just to be sure that granddaughter will like it! :)
  
Member since 12/21/05
Posts: 569
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Posted on: 11/22/13 3:21 PM ET
In reply to PatriciaK
Quote: PatriciaK
I had looked at Amazon and didn't see the kits.

Did you try the link I put on my post? It goes directly to a kit. (I just tried it to make sure it works.)
  
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