I am a designer and artist of Japanese inspired jewelry. Keeping to the Japanese esthetic I
create pieces of beauty through the simplicity of design. I use the ancient Japanese braiding
technique called Kumihimo (pronounced, Ku-me-he-mo), combined with modern materials to
create braided jewelry that is both unique and timeless.
I work on a Marudai (mar-a-di), the traditional Japanese braiding stand. The repetitive braiding
movements, and the sounds of the wooden bobbins hitting against the legs of the stand
becomes a form of meditation and focused relaxation.
The challenge of working with such a colorful array of beads and materials is what keeps the
creation process interesting. I’m obsessed with color and texture and will often create a bead
soup of dozens of different beads, gemstones and pearls to use in a piece of jewelry. I also
enjoy creating ombre effects where one color of bead blends seamlessly into another.
Most of my life I was an art quilter. My quilts won numerous awards and several traveled
throughout the world in special exhibits. When I discovered Kumihimo in 2013, I was
immediately smitten and traded in all my fabric for beads. I am forever expanding my skills,
taking six master classes with respected Kumihimo jewelry artist, Adrienne Gaskell, and in 2015
traveled to Japan to study with Japanese master, Makiko Tada, at the Kyoto Institute.

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Linda Lawrence

lindylaw2@gmail.com