Some okay much of the confusion about Japanese braiding terms is the direct result of two things.

First, It is often nearly impossible to make a direct translation to a word commonly used in the English Language. This applies to much more than braiding. This is not unique to Japanese – some of my most interesting moments in craft “translating” have involved Russian, Ukrainian, Polish and German.

So, the challenge to authors and teachers focusing on the “English as a first or even second language was to use terms that would make sense to their audience.

Which brings us to the second reason there is so much misunderstanding.

Authors like Tada, Owen, Carey, Berlin, et al – were, for the most part “speaking to fiber people” NOT Bead people. Japanese craft more than most has very unique words for each part of the process, the tools and the materials used.

The result is the mis-use of terms by those who may not have a solid understanding of fiber craft related terms in any or perhaps only in their own native language.

Then, there is the InterMyth factor – a term gets used by a “popular” person and then it gets repeated and pretty soon it is treated as “fact” when really it is the direct result of misunderstanding/lack of knowledge. Not helpful to those who wish to learn beyond the simplest or easiest.

I know that not everyone is a OCD as I may be, although I never ‘filed’ the papers – Setting aside the professionaly taught classes for “the basics” I also spent several years working my way thru each of the HGA (Handweaver Guild of America) COE (certificate of excellence) requirement so I would better understand when those more advanced than I were “talking” Not a path for anyone but then few people have as many college credits as I do because I never cared about a degree – just spent money taking courses of interest to me to advance my knowledge base for a subject.

My personal goal is to help those with a desire to know more but may not have had the advantage of studying other craft to know enough to facilitate their quest for more knowledge and expanded skills.

Once the AKS (American Kumihimo Society) goal of an online wiki for just this purpose – I suppose my work will not be needed. But in the meantime I hope you will join me on this journey and that it will help you to

Enjoy The Making

Wheat

ID=A – Inner Diameter       OD=B – Outer Diameter       HT=C – Height / Thickness

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Brand Name	SRP*	Size	Handle Fit	Center_A ID_Inches	Center_A ID_MM	Disc OD_Inches	Disc OD_CM	Disc HT_Inch	Disc HT_MM
BeadSmith DD *	5.00	Large	yes	1 1/4 in	35 mm	5 13/16 in	15 cm	0.75in	20mm
BeadSmith DD Mini *	4.50	Small	yes	1 1/4 in	14 mm	4 3/16 in	10.6 cm	0.75in	20mm
BeadSmith SD *	3.38	Large	yes	15/16 in	14mm	5 13/16 in	15 cm	0.375in	10mm
BeadSmith SD Mini: *	3.18	Small		15/16 in	14 mm	4 3/16 in	10.6 cm	0.375in	10mm
Beadaholique:	5.49	Large	no	7/8 in	12 mm	5 7/8 in	15 cm	0.3125in	8mm
Beadalon	3.19	Small	no	15/16 in	14mm	4 1/4in	10.8 cm	0.375in	10mm
Beadalon	3.99	Large	no	15/16 in	14mm	6 in	15 cm	0.375in	10mm
Dazzle-it:	3.99	Large	no	15/16 in	12 mm	5 7/8 in	15 cm	0.3125in	8mm
Fire Mountain	3.52	Small	no	7/8 in	12 mm	4 1/4in	10.8 cm	.3125in	8mm
Hamanaka:	10.00	Large	no	15/16 in	14mm	5 7/8 in	15 cm	.4375in	12mm
Sally Battis:	8.00	Large	no***	1 1/4 in	35 mm	5 1/2in	14 cm	0.75in	20mm
Toner 4-pk	6.99	Small	no	3/4 in	20 mm	4 1/4in	10.8 cm	.3125in	8mm
Weir:	3.95	Large	yes	1 1/4 in	35 mm	5 1/2in	14 cm	0.4375in	12mm
With thanks to Carolyn910, BeadSmith, and Sally Battis for providing some details. And BeadSmith for written permission to use their images.
* SRP is the advertised Suggested Retail Price – last updated 2016-March-10 – Always check your seller for most recent price.
** Prior to 2015 BeadSmith SD discs has 25mm center – this do not fit the BeadSmith Handle – price used is with instruction for 8 and 16 Round Spiral (Japanese Name: Kongo Gumi ).
*** Sally Battis disc has a beveled center opening on the bottom. As a result, although the same Center hole ID on top/numbered side, it likely will not support the BeadSmith handle.

Comments, additional details, questions, corrections always welcomed

If you would like to see the line of BeadSmith Disc for Braiding
visit our e-store by clicking here to see our products and pricing

The Question: What are the definitions and standards for instructional
materials came up in a “group”

Answer: They do not exist. … But they should….

This is by no means an exact answer, but I guess – a lot of opinion and a few facts.

Almost daily, I get email, phone calls, or PM’ s from my customers who bought some publication and find it wanting. It never ceases to amaze me the crap that is offered for sale – and I have lost sleep while wondering if they are that much of an amateur or if the author just did not care. I suspect usually a combination of both – especially lately.

Long ago I had a business partner who like to say “Cheap can cost you dear” and I have had the pleasure to work with many old school industry professionals on many different career paths who understood that and so worked towards raising the bar on publications and product.

So a better way to put that might be: There is a difference between Frugal & Cheap =

In beadwork, unlike in the YARNandTHREAD community, (knit, crochet, weaving, sewing etc) there are no National/International Academic “society” and there is no bead specific industry group and there are no organizations remaining professional organizations for “craft” professionals as exist for those who work with fibers and fabrics.

Without those types of organizations, Academic, Professional and Trade, only with a working partnership of 2 or more = there is no viable way to set standards – so it is continues to be the wild west. Even, to the best of my knowledge, the Japanese who have standards for just about everything do not for beads sizing

Realistically there is absolutely no incentive for such organizations to come into being and then to develop standards and work toward getting those accepted. Frankly if it had to happen again in fiber, I doubt it would be possible to get it done today because of the combination of lack of those willing to do what has to be done – at significant personal expense ( dollars and time ) and the apparent unwillingness of the majority consumers to bear the cost of more comprehensive instructional materials. So too small a market for quality.

Hell few know as well as i do that it is almost dangerous to even suggest that at the very least, accurate information should be norm. Because those who do so are often excoriated, ridiculed and told they are mean and nasty Certainly anyone “in the business” knows the risks of not only having higher expectations, but expecting those with a product to meet them. Not the least of which is to have those who offer substandard products and information lobbying a group admin to remove the person and then name call or otherwise harm their reputation.

Personally, I will not buy an instructional materials unless there some way I can see a sample of the quality of the publication. Ideally it should be a complimentary work – and it can be very basic – that will demonstrate the kinds of learning aids that will be included in their product.

I am a fanatic about the details – and if the sample work does not bother to reflect care and concern for enabling the buyer – then I am not interested.

If their offerings are clearly copies of anther’s work

I believe the sales description should include a list of “skills needed” as specific as possible and not some vague or arbitrary and undefined references such “beginner”, advanced beginner, intermediate, etc.

I know many would like an exact list of “materials used” available prior to sale but that is a multi-sided discussion unto itself.

What is included – charts, graphs, illustrations, etc should be mentioned.

Who is the audience? Obviously if the seller is the author and is selling direct to consumers, then their product had better be geared to that niche and have what is needed for those with the skills needed to successfully complete the product.

However, many of the free patterns offered by bead and other manufacturers of products used in the making are not really intended for use by consumers – they are meant to inspire you and it is expected that additional and instruction will be provided by the entity who sells you the supplies.

I absolutely agree Videos should be a supplement not a substitute for well written instructions.

At the same time, you the buyer have some responsibility as well. If you want certain features included then you have to be willing to pay for them.

Wow this got way longer than I planned, so stepping off this soapbox is likely going to at least result in a sprained if not broken ankle

Probably need to edit this more – but really do hope you will consider that there is more to your purchasing choices – instructional or supplies – than just price.

originally posted to the FaceBook group BWAN (not mine) 2016-Jan-08

In “real life” these are not as dark as they appear – who knows why –

Like most, with New Year come thoughts of eating healthier – So long as you are not concerned about gluten – Pretzel bites are healthier than say chips.
And Pretzel buns make great sandwiches. So the search for a bread machine recipe – here is the tweak intended for the Bread Machine (Leaven) Dough cycle.

I needed something to do that would not be grossly affected by occluded vision issue today.
Recipe makes 24 Snack bites, or 8 slider “cupcakes” or 4 Burger size rolls. To try the different sizes, I did 8 bites, 4 cupcakes and two burger (except I kept some aside to try refrigerating and freezing “experiments”.) so only 1 burger bun actually done. The bites and 3 slider cup cakes did not last long enough to participate in my poor photography effort.

Bread Machine Settings:  you will want the Menu/Program that Is usually used for “Dough” Or Some (KBS is one) “Leaven Dough” consisting of:
Stir (gentle – mixes ingredients,
Rest usually only a few minutes to allow liquid to reach all the dry ingredients
Stir (more vigorous – some might call it Kneading)
Rise (some describe as fermentation)
Total time is usually around 1.5 hours.

Ingredients
2.5 cup All Purpose Or Bread Flour
(these also work out well with a 1c Sourdough Starter Plus 1.5c AP or Bread Flour)

1/3 cup VWG – Vital Wheat Gluten

+ .5 cup “bread flour” & if needed for dough
2 Tbl Malted Milk Powder (Carnation or Ovaltine)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar or honey
1.5 cup warm water (75-85 degree) “Aged” – NOT STRAIGHT FROM THE TAP WATER – Spring or Distilled is best for bread/yeast Or, you can “Age” your tap water by allowing it to sit on the counter in an open container for a few hours so  before using so chemicals used in water purification like chlorine can evaporate.
2.25 tsp Bread Machine Yeast (if you try cake yeast, let me know how it works for you)

Boiling Liquid
8 Tbl Baking Soda (I used a 1.5 quart pot, with 4 cups of tap water that have been left standing for several hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate.

Here is what I did =

In 1.5 oz cup of 75-85 degree water,
add 2.25 tsp Bread Machine Yeast
set aside till bubbly
other yeast might work, but it is “what I had”

For the dough:
Combine in a bowl & lightly whisk to incorporate
2.5 cup All Purpose Flour
1 tsp sugar or honey (this feeds the yeast, no sugar subs)
1 tsp salt

In bread machine pan, add
1/2 cup luke warm water
yeast mixture – be sure to get all
Flour Mixture

Set to “dough” cycle – turn on and keep an eye on it – you may need to add a bit more water or flour to get a nice smooth dough.

This recipe is supposedly “no rise needed” just a 30 minute “rest” which sounds suspiciously like a rise to me,

while the dough is resting, prepare the bath – this is what makes it turn that nice pretzel brown with the excellent “shell”

In a pot, combine 2 Tbl Baking Soda for each Cup of Water
Continuously Stir till Baking Soda is fully dissolved
and water is simmering nicely

For bites, grease a medium to large size cookie sheet
(this recipe makes 24 – for Slider grease medium size cup cake tin(s) GENEROUSLY
for Burger buns, medium cookie sheet (I did try mini pie pans and do not plan to repeat that idea any time soon. I foresee making a combination of bites and buns, so plan to try the slider size on a cookie sheet next time

I was recently gifted with this set of dough tools from Nordicware along with the Breadtopia.com Sour Dough starter and the red one worked very nicely
Using a floured dough cutter or other tool of your choice.
For bites and sliders:
1. cut the dough into FOUR (4) “equal” they should each weigh about 4oz.
2. Then for Bites, cut each 1/4 into 8, and
or For Sliders, cut into 1/3rds
Or Burger rolls, divide the full dough (approximately 16 ozs or a bit more)
cut into SIX (6) equal pieces or fewer for larger rolls

Once all your shapes have been prepared it time for the dough to take a quick bath.
Drop each into your simmering Baking Soda solution, for 10 seconds, flip over and remove after another 7 -10 seconds. Place on a wire rack to drain

Using a REALLY sharp knife, or dough slasher or safety razor blade – make an X slash on the top of each shape and place on the WELL buttered baking pan.
Sprinkle top (or not) with coarse salt, everything bagel or other topping (or not )

Some may appreciate that my slasher of choice is the Sculpey Slicer with Safety Handle favored by those who work in Polymer Clay and/or otherwise are a danger to themselves (but the Kitchen blades will never meet clay)

While baking, prepare your favorite dipping sauce – we like to combine a 2-3oz of a melty cheese with a Tbl of butter and sometimes other flavors like garlic, or 1/4 tsp of horse radish.

My Amazon Affiliate link may provide a small commission at not additional cost to you for your merchandise should you purchase this this link

The Hamilton Beach Professional Sure-Crisp Digital Toaster Oven Air Fryer Combo, 1500W, 6 Slice Capacity, Stainless Steel (31241)   This is the everyday – unless in progress for replacement (Heating Elements tend to burn out in HB products.

Place in preheated 375 degree oven of your choice until the brown you prefer.
For bites: approximately 10-13 minutes
for sliders: approximately 12-15 minutes
for rolls: approximately 14-18 minutes
remove to the wire rack and allow to cool for at least 3-10 minutes so not too soft and doughy inside
|
P.S. Cost of 4 Pretzel Burger sized buns in Stupid Market – $4-$6
Cost, including electricity $3.50 for 8 rolls
and they are fresher, healthier and lower cost – time is not an issue/cost/consideration since this is for “home consumption” and I like to prepare food
|Caveat Emptor: we purchased the smaller HB Oven Model 31403 “because it was on sale, had a coupon and the Larger one was failing.  It toasted fine, BUT, the shelves are very tipsy – we would not buy this again.  The Pro, when it is working correctly (FYI the probe never has worked correctly, but I can live with that) In the last few years several NEW machines from HB have had a similar problem with the heating elements SUDDENLY not functioning and thus temps fluctuate as much as 100F and as little as 50F.
Fortunately we purchased the extended warranty. It uses about 20% less electricity than the Stove Oven and holds a 12 in pizza and up to a 12×13 pan with no handles and room to breath or allow air circulation/convection as the case may be.

I ALWAYS recommend shopping locally for ingredients. If you need to see what “they look like”  well-that is the main reason for my Amazon (affiliate) Idea Lists and yes, if you use them to make a purchase, I may or may not receive a commission.
Wheat’s Amazon (affiliate) Idea Lists:
–  Bread and Dough https://amzn.to/3wUoNi9
–  Ingredients       https://amzn.to/48X13Ht

_{updated a bit: 2023-Dec-19
updated a bit: 2024-Feb -15
updated a bit: 2026-Mar-10}

A few days ago I mentioned being deeply disturbed by season finale of Scandal – because that 2 minutes made it so very clear how selfish so many have become – this was not about a victim of rape, or a danger to the life of the mother, or even “knowing” the child was going to face extreme challenges physically.
it was merely done because a promiscuous person felt it would interfere with her lifestyle and desire to change a living situation – in other words for totally selfish reasons.

This two minutes or less showed less concern and emotion than most women show during a routine pap smear. No matter the outburst that followed, that just bolsters my belief that such a choice has many consequences, but that she really only cared about how to avoid the responsibilities of the choices she had made was more than a little disgusting. And, yes, it really did make me vomit.

Every day we read of more “demands” by the self entitled and often concerned about the level of narcissism we have as parents, grand parents, teachers and others who act in locoparenti have not just allowed but encouraged to become acceptable.

I really fear for the future when a young man from a multi-millionaire family somehow thinks that the color of his skin entitles him to a free education. It is exactly this sort of hypocrisy that makes it even more difficult to help those who truly need a hand up in our society.

I wonder how we have become so anesthetized to real problems that we encourage and allow ourselves and our children to become so very selfish and worse, lazy. And then I watch any television program, including many “Children’s” shows and realize that it is just one of the many tools being used to destroy our children’s minds as well as their moral and ethical development

There are and always have been so many real issues – like how being fired for refusing to cooperate with the sexual advances of the general manager meant also not getting even meager unemployment benefits and how that firing made employment so difficult for many years thereafter.

There are many stories to tell, each of us has lived thru them. But yes, we have to find ways to communicate the real core of the issues.

I sincerely hope every father, brother, uncle, cousin, just really every real man will read this blog article
and perhaps begin to see their daughter, sister, aunt, just every female they know in a new light –

For those who do even see this problem, but think their maleness entitles them to behave egregiously – well, they aren’t much of man – now are they.

And will at least personally refuse to allow such behavior – because then maybe at least some small portion of respect for all life will once again become a part of everyday life.

That would truly be something to be thankful for – a gift to all the generations to come