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Continue ShoppingWe reimagine traditional Hawaiian Lei using Glass Beads as we blend Japanese and Hawaiian art to make our Forever Lei. Our Hawaiian Glass Beaded Lei are unique handcrafted designs made by weaving 8 strands using Kumihimo, an ancient technique of braiding on a Marudai braiding stand. Inspiration for our designs come from traditional Hawaiian Lei, Forbidden Island Shell necklaces and of course Mother Nature.
Pink Coral Silk Fiber Necklace -19"
This is the ONLY strand you will find in the world made using Pink Coral Silk necklace. We made this with the Premium Silks from Japan and then woven on our Maradai stand - an ancient weaving loom originally used to make sashes for Samurai Warrior swords. Our design is originally created by Makiko Tada (the world's most prolific author, educator and researcher on Kumihimo). We finish this off with a Pearly White Acrylic Magnetic End Cap so it will stay securely on your neck. It measures 19” worn and as with other similar products may be used as a hat band.
This extraordinary necklace was woven together using metallic and imitation silk fibers. This unique necklace look is created by braiding together 12 different ‘bunches” of fiber in an “Off Balance” design technique. Altogether there are hundreds of strands that comprise this piece, leaving it luxurious yet flexible. By coiling the spirals you may make it a tighter braid, or tug lightly to stretch out a bit more.
Akalei is Hawaiian for "bead reflections" which describes this unique necklace lei design style made only here on Maui. We reinterpret and illuminate traditional Hawaiian Lei using a vast assortment of glass and natural beads, Japanese silk and synthetic fibers, and a wide variety of braiding techniques and inspirations from across the globe.
Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese braid making technique that creates beautiful and strong interlaced cords. This art form goes back hundreds of years as braids were made for use in armor of Japanese samurai warriors. In modern times these braids are designed as belts (obijime) that are worn as a belt with a kimono.
Customized orders are welcomed - these braids can be made using Japanese Silks and various small (4-6mm) size pearls or semi-precious stones. Please contact me at info@akaleidesigns.com.
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