Randy began braiding fiber designs as a past time, and since then has honed his skills by studying with many of the world’s most well-known Kumihimo authors and instructors. Currently living in Hawai’i (Maui), his designs are sought after by locals (and visitors) for their distinctive “Forever Lei” appeal. Using thousands of beads, he reimagines traditional Hawaiian Lei and incorporates fiber, shells, gemstones, pearls, lamp-work beads, glass seed beads and anything else he can weave into a fiber and beaded structure.
Our Hawaiian Glass Beaded Lei are unique woven handcrafted designs made by weaving Kumihimo - a Japanese braiding technique with inspiration from the Mother Nature. We reimagine traditional Hawaiian Lei using a blend of fibers, shells, glass beads and anything beautiful to create our Forever Lei.
Blending and weaving of glass beads is an artform the jewelry world has just begun to explore. Additionally the form of braiding in Japan of Kumihimo has recently adapted that ancient braiding technique to incorporate all styles of beads, gemstones, and pearls. Akalei Designs, based in Hawaii, has helped to expand these two jewelry worlds resulting in vibrant jewelry designs filled with colors that inspire all artists to achieve new heights in the use of color and light.
Each of the designs in this collection incorporate the use of contrast to give the desired effect in a beautiful spiral Kumihimo pattern. In the center of the spiral are lentil or rose petal glass beads from across the globe (Japan and Czech Republic), On the outer edge of this design is a variety of unique shaped beads - they include gecko beads, long drop beads, and rizo or rice beads. As this is the most recent design we continue to explore new and exciting ideas that reflect our amazing Hawaiian world.