Make it beautiful and make it to last.
I’m a Technique Educator in the jewelry-making industry and I own ilovekumihimo.
I now specialize in creating surprisingly durable jewelry and I enjoy teaching my jewelry-making techniques. I believe this: if jewelry is beautiful enough you want to wear it every day, then it should be durable enough that you can.
Why is my business called ilovekumihimo? I discovered kumihimo after a car collision changed my body and my life. My injuries left me unable to make the delicate frameless glass pendants that were my signature design, so I searched for something new to learn. Something lightweight and portable. Kumihimo (pronounced coo-me-he-mō) is a Japanese form of braiding. The name alone intrigued me — I had never heard of it — but the beautiful braids and ancient origins of the technique fascinated me as well. And yes, kumihimo braids are quite durable.
When I realized kumihimo supplies weren’t readily available in my community, I transitioned my business from design to retail and instruction. Wow, that was a huge leap.
I now teach a variety of jewelry-making techniques at Parkland Community College. To find my courses, look in the Community Education 505 catalog. http://parkland.edu/communityed
I have a Master’s Degree in Education and over 15 years of jewelry-making experience. I am passionate about learning and teaching and I thrive on the challenges of developing durable jewelry-making techniques.
As a solopreneur, I’m still learning. I do my own photography, editing, blogging, marketing, accounting, ordering, stressing, etc. In my spare time, I still design jewelry. It’s all good.
Most of my designs are water resistant; many are waterproof. My durability testing is unique and quite thorough. Nothing I make will last forever, but I want my designs to be wearable for a very long time. If this philosophy resonates with you, I think you’ll enjoy this blog.
Shop for kumihimo and jewelry-making supplies at ilovekumihimo on Etsy.
Creatively yours,
Monica K Campbell, EdM
Comments on: "About" (6)
Hi, my email address is baakardi@hotmail.com. I absolutley love the wrapped bracelet, please let me know when your tutorial is available,
Many thanks for sharing,
May
I certainly will. Thank you.
May, did you receive notice that the tutorial is finished?
Can’t find the kumihimo memory wire tutorial. Can you help?
Nancy, thank you for inquiring. I’m still working on it, making sure I’m using the proper kumihimo terminology. I’ll post an announcement when it’s done.
Nancy, the tutorial will be available August 19. Yay!