The kit includes Japanese cylinder beads in two colors; size 11 seed beads in 2 colors; size 14 seed beads in 2 colors; four 10mm Czech firepolished beads and two needles, as well as full-color, well-illustrated directions for creating the leaves, acorns and neck strap. Leslie even includes a color chart that illustrates each row of creating the intricate leaves that was a wonderful reference and supplement to the written instructions.
The leaves are created using a wonderfully creative variation of twisted herringbone or Ndebele stitch. Leslie takes the basic technique for making a twisted Ndebele rope and lays it out flat, and the result is the incredible sculptural leaves that make up the focal point of the necklace. The acorns are made with right angle weave and a little bit of peyote stitch, and are so pretty that I made a pair of matching earrings with the leftover beads.
For the neck strap, Leslie has come up with what has to be the easiest, neatest way to begin a twisted herringbone rope. Her method does not leave any of the exposed thread that usually occurs when starting a twisted herringbone rope. It's quick and easy and makes stitching the two pieces of the neck strap a breeze, even if you've never attempted a twisted herringbone rope before.
Once I had the components finished and was ready to assemble them, I felt as though I had just sat through a class with Leslie and learned some of her amazing techniques for taking traditional beadweaving stitches and turning them on their head, with beautiful results. For more information about Leslie and her kits, you can visit her website.