My name is Beth Kemp and I've been doing Japanese Braiding for approximately 8 years.  About 4 years ago, I established my own, web-based business, Braid & Bead Studio, which has given me contact with braiding enthusiasts world wide. This is the new and improved website.

I am very proud that my first book, "How To Kumihimo", has been published worldwide.  It has step-by-step instructions for braiding on the Kumihimo Disk, and includes some of my favourite pieces.  Projects are almost all available in kit form.

I hold regular classes and workshops at various locations in Brisbane.  I love to see my students wear their creation home.  I have also had workshops at several of the big Craft Shows in Brisbane, the latest being as a Guest Artist at the Textile Arts Festival.  The full list is here on my website, and you can keep up with all the news by subscribing to "Kumi Kapers". 

Supplies:

I source my supplies from around the world, but also try to support Australian suppliers as much as I can.  I particularly love using hand made beads, cabochons, and pearls, and while braiding can be done with almost any type of thread, I prefer using hand-dyed silk. 

Threads:

The beauty of traditional Kumihimo silk is that it can be adjusted to any thickness.  It is multi-stranded and comes in bundles of 4 sections with a total of 168 individual threads.  I also love using Colour Streams hand-dyed silk, as it comes in lengths that simply need to be cut into the number of warps for the project.  You'll find these beautiful threads in our Shop.

Beads:

Almost any of today's beads can be used in Kumihimo.  They can be added before, during, or after braiding to ensure your braid is unique.  They can also be braided as long strands, or added after the braid is complete.

Flower Power:

My other craft loves, are knitting, crochet and making shawls and wraps using the Flower Motif Kits.  I developed the way to join the flowers and have designed a beautiful Zigzag Scarf for Biggan Yarns here in Australia.

Happy Braiding,

Beth